Oscar Night America celebrates 15th year

Dec 17, 2007 by Ian Evans

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Oscar® Night charity program, Oscar Night America, celebrates its 15th year in 2008. The program will enable charities in 52 cities to host glamorous viewing parties.

“The fact that the ONA program has grown from just two benefit parties — in Minneapolis and San Francisco —- to 52 is fantastic,” said Academy Executive Director Bruce Davis. “Sharing the excitement of Oscar Night in a way that aids so many local communities makes the evening that much more special.”

For the first time, Oscar Night America parties will take place in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania; Palm Springs, California; and Springfield, Missouri. The other ONA 2008 locations are Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Greensboro/Winston-Salem, Greenville, Hartford, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Omaha, Orange County (CA), Orlando, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, Tucson and Washington, D.C.

Most parties are black-tie affairs, though some are less formal. Each ONA party receives from the Academy copies of the official commemorative poster and the official Oscar show program.

Since its inception in 1994, the program has generated over $20.4 million in funding for a wide spectrum of charitable organizations —- every cent staying within the community where it was raised.

The Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2007 will be presented on Sunday, February 24, 2008, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®. Stick with DigitalHit.com for all your Academy Awards coverage.