Adam Shankman Honored by 2011 OUTFEST

OUTFEST, the world's leading organization dedicated to showcasing, protecting and nurturing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film imagery and artistry, will honor director, producer and choreographer Adam Shankman as well as Lifetime Networks at the institution's annual Legacy Awards. This year's ceremony will be held at the Director's Guild of America on Thursday, October 20th and will be presented by Showtime.

Shankman will be receiving the Visionary Award in recognition of his contribution to LGBT arts and media visibility, while Lifetime will be honored with the Guardian Award for the network's commitment, support and positive depictions of LGBT characters and individuals.

The event serves as a fundraiser for the Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation, a collaboration between Outfest and the UCLA Film & Television Archive, which is the only program in the world devoted to saving and preserving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender moving images.

"We couldn't be more delighted to honor two friends, partners and longtime supporters of Outfest," says Kirsten Schaffer, Executive Director of Outfest. "Adam Shankman's body of work has been inspirational and meaningful to so many in our community. From directing films and TV shows like Hairspray, Glee and Prop 8: The Musical, to his choreography in everything from Tank Girl to Boogie Nights, Adam's singular achievements have had a profound impact on the LGBT community and make him an ideal recipient of the Visionary Award."

"Lifetime reaches a vast mainstream audience, making it one of the gay community's most valuable allies," continues Schaffer. "Through both its scripted and unscripted programming, including: Prayers for Bobby, Project Runway and Drop Dead Diva, Lifetime offers richly diverse portrayals of LGBT people that help Americans better understand and accept our community."

Outfest and the UCLA Film & Television Archive partnered in 2005 to create the Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation. The only program of its kind in the world, the Outfest Legacy Project is aimed at the growing crisis in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender moving image archiving. Many of the landmark LGBT films produced over the last 30 years are already in danger of fading away; their original exhibition prints are in tatters and their negatives are in woeful storage conditions, or even lost. Celebrating its sixth anniversary, the Outfest Legacy Project is proud to have collected over 15,000 moving picture images for the collection.

For information on purchasing tickets to the 2011 Legacy Awards, please visit www.outfest.org or call 213-480-7088 .

ABOUT Adam Shankman
Adam Shankman is a multi-faceted filmmaker who has enjoyed success as a director, producer and choreographer.

Shankman is currently in post-production on the adaptation of the groundbreaking hit Broadway rock musical "Rock of Ages" that he will direct and produce through Offspring Entertainment for New Line Cinema. The all-star cast includes Julianne Hough, Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Mary J. Blige, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin and Tom Cruise. Warner Bros. will release the film in June of 2012.

Shankman and his sister, Jennifer Gibgot, are partnered as producers in Offspring Entertainment, who currently have an overall deal with New Line Cinema. Under the Offspring banner, they previously produced the "Step Up," series of films directed by his Anne Fletcher; its successful sequels, "Step Up 2: The Streets," and "Step Up 3D" both helmed by Jon M. Chu, "17 Again" starring Zac Efron and the Drew Barrymore starrer "Going the Distance." Upcoming, they are set to produce "Tink" for Walt Disney Studios, which will star Elizabeth Banks.

In 2009, he served as co-producer and lead choreographer of the 2010 Academy Awards. The telecast earned a record 12 Emmy nominations, including two for Shankman for producing and choreographing.

In July 2007, Shankman directed and executive produced "Hairspray," the feature film adaptation of the Tony® Award-winning Broadway musical. It received three Golden Globe® nominations including Best Picture-Musical or Comedy. In addition, the film's remarkable cast won a Critics' Choice Award for Best Acting Ensemble.

Shankman began his directing career in 2001 with his debut feature, "The Wedding Planner." The next year, he directed the romantic drama "A Walk to Remember." Shankman followed with "Bringing Down the House," "The Pacifier," and "Cheaper by the Dozen 2." Shankman's recent films include the box-office hits "17 Again," which he produced, and "Bedtime Stories," which he directed.

Prior to launching his directing and producing career, Shankman was one of the entertainment industry's premier dance and physical comedy choreographers, putting his creative stamp on many well-known comedies, dramas, thrillers and animated films. His projects range from "The Addams Family" to "Boogie Nights," "Miami Rhapsody" and "The Flintstones," for which he was nominated for a Bob Fosse Award. In addition, he has choreographed music videos for Whitney Houston, the B-52s, Barry White, Aaron Neville, Chic and Stevie Wonder. He also serves as a judge on the hit Fox reality show "So You Think You Can Dance."

A native of Los Angeles, Shankman developed a love for the theater at an early age. Following high school, he moved to New York and attended Juilliard. After five years as an actor and dancer on the stages of New York and regional theater, he moved back to Los Angeles and began dancing in music videos for such artists as Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. He also performed at the 1989 Academy Awards®.

ABOUT LIFETIME NETWORKS
For more than 25 years, Lifetime Networks has led one of the longest standing and most comprehensive public affairs efforts of any cable network in the United States, educating and empowering hundreds of millions of people each year. In addressing critical social issues affecting the lives of women and girls, Lifetime develops, creates and launches multi-year advocacy campaigns that involve public service announcements, legislative advocacy and partnerships with hundreds of non-profit organizations, women leaders, public officials and key members of the media to reach women on-air, online and in communities across the country. As a result, Lifetime has remained the "most trusted" and "most empowering" network among women.

Lifetime Television is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television®, Lifetime Movie Network®, Lifetime Real Women® and Lifetime Digital^TM are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC, a subsidiary of A+E Networks. A+E Networks is a joint venture of the Disney-ABC Television Group, Hearst Corporation and NBC Universal.

ABOUT OUTFEST
Outfest is the leading organization showcasing, nurturing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film images and artistry. Since its founding in 1982, Outfest has led the charge, spotlighting emerging talent, creating community between filmmakers and audiences and offering a world-class forum for stories that reflect and often transform LGBT lives. Outfest has showcased over 4,500 films for audiences well over half a million people. The Outfest festivals, year-round screening series and special events bring together film lovers, innovative artists, celebrities and entertainment industry professionals from all communities.

Photo Credit: Linda Lenzi

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!