ANAHEIM, Calif. – September 16, 2010 – The Anaheim International Film Festival (AIFF) and Disneyland Resort will provide festival goers with an exclusive red carpet experience at the AIFF Black-Tie Awards Night Celebration, taking place October 16 at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Hosted by Disneyland Resort, the awards gala is a red carpet affair honoring film industry icons with Lifetime and Career Achievement Awards for outstanding work and contributions to motion pictures. The dinner and awards presentation will be capped off with a VIP showing of “World of Color,” the new nighttime water spectacular at Disney California Adventure Park weaving water, color, fire and light into a kaleidoscope of fantasy and imagination.

“Filmmaking has always been at the heart of our Company, since Snow White premiered in 1937,” said George A. Kalogridis, president of the Disneyland Resort. “In fact, this important component of our Disney heritage is showcased in our new ‘World of Color’ attraction, which includes scenes from several classic Disney and Pixar films. It is befitting that Disneyland Resort host this celebration of filmmaking and support the inaugural Anaheim International Film Festival.”

“We are very fortunate to have Disneyland Resort as a founding sponsor in creating a meaningful cultural event for Anaheim and Orange County,” said Sinan Kanatsiz, chairman of the Anaheim International Film Festival. “Disneyland is a world ambassador, and AIFF has a similar role in the world of filmmaking, with numerous countries represented at our festival. It has been an ideal partnership in every way, and we look forward to an unforgettable evening hosted by the magic makers of Disney.”

Tickets are now on sale for the Awards Night Celebration. Individual tickets are $150, with tables of 10 also available at bronze ($2500), silver ($3000) and gold ($5000) levels with accompanying benefits. To purchase tickets, please call (714) 991-9110 or e-mail [email protected]. Capacity is limited, and seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Red carpet arrivals begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards presentation in the Grand Californian’s Sequoia Ballroom. Guests will then be escorted to Disney California Adventure for a showing of “World of Color” at 10:15 p.m.

A breathtaking extravaganza, “World of Color” brings animation to life with powerful fountains that become “stars” of the show as they create one of the world’s largest projected water screens. During the 25-minute show, “World of Color” immerses audiences in technological wonder and the enchanting magic of beloved Disney and Disney-Pixar characters, combining nearly 1,200 versatile fountains, dazzling colors, Disney music and an all-new kaleidoscope of audio and visual effects, to take water-based entertainment to a new level of artistry.

The inaugural Anaheim International Film Festival runs Oct. 13-17, 2010 at the Anaheim GardenWalk. Thousands of attendees are expected to visit the five-day festival and participate in film screenings, master classes and workshops taught by industry professionals, and star-studded gala events. The box office opens October 1, 2010. For more information, please call (714) 991-9110 or visit www.anaheimfilm.org.