Los Angeles – May 5, 2010… For its 22nd year as an oasis for Americans at the Cannes Film Festival, the American Pavilion has ramped up its annual series of informative panels and discussions. This year, Sundance Institute Publicity Manager Amy McGee has been appointed Programming Director for the American Pavilion at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, it was announced today by Julie Sisk, American Pavilion founder and director.

Based in the Sundance Institute’s Los Angeles office, McGee publicizes the Institute’s programs and events on a year-round basis. Onsite at the Sundance Film Festival, she oversees all premiere press lines, manages publicist relations, and coordinates press stories and interviews. Previously, Amy worked in public relations in Chicago for the Adler Planetarium and at various public relations agencies including Weber Shandwick, Edelman and Golin Harris on travel, lifestyle and consumer product clients. McGee has also served on the Associate Board of the Chicago Film Festival and Chicago Documentary Film Festival.

A partial list of the American Pavilion’s panels, discussions and events are as follows (dates/times subject to change):

THURSDAY, MAY 13
10:00am – The American Pavilion opening ribbon-cutting ceremony with special guest Matt Lauer ("The TODAY Show") – Time TBC

FRIDAY, MAY 14
"The Future of Filmmaking: How to Make and Release A Movie in Today’s Climate" – 3:00pm – Panelists include: Lucy Walker (Director, "Countdown to Zero"), John Sloss (Cinetic), Mark Ankner (WME), David Fenkel (Oscilliscope) – Moderated by: Pamela McClintock (Variety)

SATURDAY, MAY 15
"American Directors in Cannes" 3 pm -- David Robert Mitchell ("The Myth of the American Sleepover"), Cam Archer ("Shit Year"), – Moderated by: indieWIRE

"In Conversation: Gregg Araki" with John Cooper (Director of the Sundance Film Festival) – 5 pm

SUNDAY, MAY 16
Industry in Focus: "Shit Year" Panel -- Noon

Director Cam Archer; Actors Ellen Barkin, Luke Grimes; and producers Jay Van Hoy and Lars Knudsen - Moderated by Trevor Groth, Director of Programming Sundance Film Festival

MONDAY, MAY 17
Investing in the Future: Nurturing Today’s Filmmakers for Tomorrow Through Screenwriting Labs, Funds and other Support for Emerging Artists - 11 am Alesia Weston (Sundance Institute) , Sean Durkin (Director, "Two Gates of Sleep") , Diego Lerman (Director, "The Invisible Eye") --Moderated by Marten Rabarts (Binger Filmlab)

"Women in Film: Real News and Practical Tips for Making it in the Film Industry – 3:00pm – Panelists include: Arianna Bocco (IFC Films), Lynette Howell (Producer, "Blue Valentine", "Half Nelson"), Adele Romanski (Producer, "Myth of the American Sleepover"), Andrea Sperling (Producer, "Kaboom"). Moderated by: Anne Thompson (ThompsononHollywood)

TUESDAY, MAY 18
Marketing in the film world – from raising global brand awareness to creative partnerships: how do brands and artists alike work in the new economy? 1:00pm – Panelists include: Ryan Werner (IFC), Brooks Addicott (Sundance Institute), Christian Gaines (IMDb)– Moderated by: Sharon Swart

"Film Financing and Packaging: What’s Getting the Green Light? Is it the Script, Actors, the Budget? What are the Deciding Factors for Getting a Film Made?" – 3:00pm – Panelists include: Stuart Ford (IM Global), Scott Shooman (Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group); Michael Schaefer (Summit) – Moderated by: Mike Goodridge (Screen International)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19
"In Conversation: Frederick Wiseman" – 10 am – with (indieWIRE)

"American Producers at Cannes" – 2:30pm – Panelists include: Lynette Howell and Jamie Patricof ("Blue Valentine"), Jay Van Hoy and Lars Knudsen ("Shit Year"), Jonathan Schwartz ("Kaboom"), Adele Romanski ("The Myth of the American Sleepover"), – Moderated by: James Rocchi, MSN Movies

THURSDAY, MAY 20
"Short Films Panel" – 12:30 pm Panelists include: James Franco (Director, "The Clerk’s Tale"), Vince Joliette (producer, "The Clerk’s Tale"), Sean Durkin (Director, "Mary Last Seen"), Josh Mond and Antonia Camp (producers, "Mary Last Seen")– Moderated by Trevor Groth (Director of Programming, Sundance Film Festival)

Industry In Focus: "Blue Valentine" - 2 pm Director Derek Cianfrance; Producers Lynette Howell, Alex Orlovsky, and Jamie Patricof; and Actors Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams -- Moderated by Steve Zeitchik (LA Times)

"Emerging Filmmaker Showcase" – 3:00-6:30pm – The 2010 Emerging Filmmaker Showcase provides an opportunity for emerging filmmakers to have their work seen by Cannes Festival and Film Market attendees. Prizes are awarded to filmmakers and the top twelve films will be screened in a special "Emerging Filmmaker" showcase at The American Pavilion's Roger Ebert Conference Center. All films accepted into the showcase will be available for screening on an ongoing basis at The American Pavilion during the Festival.

FRIDAY, MAY 21
Additional panels or "In Conversation" sessions TBC

Further programming announcements will be made in the next week. Top