Official Academy Awards Poster 

Thursday, January 17---------AMPAS, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences,  has unveiled the poster for the 80th edition of the Academy Awards. The poster, designed by veteran illustrator Drew Struzan, brings to mind the STAR WARS films. This is no surprise, considering that Struzan created the one-sheets for all of the STAR WARS films, the most successful film franchise of all time. The poster will be available for purchase via the AMPAS website at: www.oscars.org. The Academy Awards are scheduled to be presented on Sunday, February 24th. However, the on-going strike by the Writers Guild of America (which shut down the Golden Globes last weekend) is a looming threat that could alter the plans for the ceremony and its international telecast. This is a true industry nail-biter, with the outcome uncertain. Will the Oscars be forced to return to its roots as a private ceremony? Will leading actors and directors agree to cross picket lines? All this makes for high drama, so stay tuned.

Sandy Mandelberger, Awards Watch Editor