John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Wynonna, Damien Rice, Lenka, Dan Wilson, Phil Vassar, Katie Herzig and Chad & Jeremy Among Musical Lineup for Sundance ASCAP Music Café Presented by Ray-Ban

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - January 6, 2009) - The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is pleased to announce its lineup of events for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Returning for the 11th year, the re-named Sundance ASCAP Music Café will present an exciting and dynamic mix of composers, songwriters and artists from across the musical spectrum and around the world. The invite-only ASCAP Filmmaker & Composer Breakfast will include a panel featuring filmmakers with their composers talking about their artistic collaboration. The 2009 Festival includes many films that prominently feature the music of ASCAP's composer and songwriter members.

"ASCAP is delighted to partner once again with the Sundance Film Festival to underscore the important role of music in film," said Sundance ASCAP Music Café producer Loretta Muñoz, ASCAP Assistant Vice President. "Our goal at the Festival, and throughout the year, is to connect composers and songwriters with filmmakers and film and music executives. By combining a showcase for live performances of music with a forum for networking, we set the stage for the scores and soundtracks of the future. We also congratulate Sundance on their 25th Anniversary of the Film Festival and look forward to continuing our mutual goal of discovering and nurturing great talent."

New Name, Location for Sundance ASCAP Music Café

With a new name and a central location on Main Street, the Sundance ASCAP Music Café will be the focal point for music at the Festival. It is dedicated to showcasing the exceptional talent of emerging and established artists, including solo acts and major bands, and is a place where independent filmmakers can meet and interact with composers and songwriters to encourage collaboration between these two creative communities. The new location for the Sundance ASCAP Music Café Presented by Ray-Ban is on Lower Main Street between 7th and 9th Streets. It is open to Festival credential holders from January 16 to 23, 2009. Performances begin each day at 2:00 p.m. (1:00 p.m. on January 22).

This year's program features eight days of stellar programming, presenting songwriters and composers associated with Festival films along with other legendary and cutting-edge artists. The featured performers include: Dave Barnes, Birdmonster, Chad & Jeremy, Tom Freund, Gin Blossoms, Anwan Glover (of the Backyard Band), Rosi Golan, The Guggenheim Grotto, Katie Herzig, Lenka, Locksley, Maiysha, Chris Mann, The People Speak, Landon Pigg, Damien Rice, John Rzeznik (of the Goo Goo Dolls), Angel Taylor, Phil Vassar, Sara Watkins, Dan Wilson, Wynonna, Rachael Yamagata and Youth Speaks.

On Thursday, January 22 beginning at 1:00 p.m., The People Speak: Voices of a People's History of the United States (the basis of the forthcoming documentary THE PEOPLE SPEAK), will feature musical performances (to be announced) and readings by Benjamin Bratt, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson, Q'Orianka Kilcher and Marisa Tomei, narrated by Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove.

"Voices of a People's History of the United States brings to light little known voices from U.S. history. By giving public expression to rebels, dissenters, and visionaries from our past -- and present -- we work to educate and inspire a new generation of people working for social justice."

For the complete schedule, please visit ASCAP's website at www.ascap.com.

ASCAP Filmmaker & Composer Breakfast

On Monday, January 19, ASCAP will host a special, invite-only Filmmaker & Composer Breakfast, sponsored by Avid Technology, Inc., exclusively for Sundance Film Festival Filmmakers and their film composers -- as well as other ASCAP composers who will be in Park City for the Festival. ASCAP will present a roundtable discussion about the composer/filmmaker collaboration with SPRING BREAKDOWN (Warner Bros. Films) director Ryan Shiraki, film composer Debbie Lurie and music supervisor Julia Michels. The comedy will have its World Premiere as part of the Festival's Park City at Midnight lineup.

The ASCAP Filmmaker & Composer Breakfast, sponsored by Avid Technology, Inc., provides a wonderful opportunity for filmmakers and music creators to connect in a warm and friendly setting. A representative from Avid, a worldwide leader in tools for film, video, audio, and broadcast professionals -- as well as for home audio and video enthusiasts, will be available during the event to demonstrate their products. Festival filmmakers and film composers who are interested in attending may contact Jennifer Harmon at jharmon@ascap.com for further details. Accredited Festival press who are interested in covering may contact bobbi.marcus@bobbimarcuspr.com.

Music in Film

The 2009 Festival includes many films that prominently feature the music of ASCAP's composer and songwriter members, including film composers Daniel Belardinelli (DON'T LET ME DROWN); Jeff Cardoni (THE VICIOUS KIND); Kim Carroll (OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY); Tom DiCillo (WHEN YOU'RE STRANGE); Michael Giacchino (EARTH DAYS - closing film); Adem Ilhan (PRS) (THE INFORMERS); Mark Kilian (LA MISSION); Debbie Lurie (SPRING BREAKDOWN); Steven Martini (LYMELIFE); Marcus Miller (GOOD HAIR); Salaam Remi and Nas (TYSON); Brian Tyler (THE KILLING ROOM); Austin Wintory (GRACE); and Marcelo Zarvos (SIN NOMBRE and TAKING CHANCE).

About Sundance Film Festival

The Sundance Film Festival is the premier showcase for U.S. and international independent film, held each January in and around Park City, Utah. Presenting 120 dramatic and documentary feature-length films in seven distinct categories, and 80 short films each year, the Sundance Film Festival has introduced American audiences to some of the most ground-breaking films of the past two decades, including SEX LIES AND VIDEOTAPE, MARIA FULL OF GRACE, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, TROUBLE THE WATER and CENTRAL STATION. www.sundance.org/festival

About Sundance Institute

Founded by Robert Redford in 1981, Sundance Institute is a not-for-profit organization that fosters the development of original storytelling in film and theatre, and presents the annual Sundance Film Festival. Internationally recognized for its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, film composers, playwrights and theatre artists, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as ANGELS IN AMERICA, SPRING AWAKENING, BOYS DON'T CRY and BORN INTO BROTHELS. www.sundance.org

About ASCAP

Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 340,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with similar foreign organizations so that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world where copyright law exists. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American PRO owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com