Academy Docs Present Contrasting Portraits in Wartime Courage May 18

"Lt. Watada" and "Sergio" will screen as the next installment in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 29th annual "Contemporary Documentaries" series on Wednesday, May 18, at 7 p.m. at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. Admission to all screenings in the series is free.

Directed and produced by Freida Mock, "Lt. Watada" profiles United States Army lieutenant Ehren Watada, who made the difficult decision to refuse deployment to Iraq, based on his strong belief in the illegality of the Iraq War.

Directed by Greg Barker and produced by John Battsek, Barker and Julie Goldman, "Sergio" is a portrayal of Brazilian diplomat Sérgio Vieira de Mello, who over his long career earned a reputation as one of the United Nations' most accomplished and charismatic representatives. In May of 2003, he accepted a new post as the Special Representative of the Secretary General in Iraq. Barker will be present to take questions from the audience following the screening.

The 29th annual "Contemporary Documentaries" series continues through June 1, showcasing feature-length and short documentaries drawn from the 2009 Academy Award nominations, including the winners, as well as other important and innovative films considered by the Academy that year.

All films will screen at the Linwood Dunn Theater at the Academy's Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. All seating is unreserved. The filmmakers will be present at screenings whenever possible.

The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood. Free parking is available through the entrance on Homewood Avenue (one block north of Fountain Avenue). For additional information, visit www.oscars.org or call (310) 247-3600.

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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world's preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards - in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners - the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.