Help Save Screen on the Green

Photo courtesy of Save Screen on the Green Facebook page.

From a press release:

Screen on the Green Will Not Return for 11th Summer without Additional Sponsorship

WASHINGTON – May 4, 2010 – The always-popular summer favorite, Screen on the Green, is in jeopardy again, unless additional funding can be secured.

Longtime Screen on the Green producer HBO and sponsor Comcast are willing to continue their support of this annual event, but have indicated that it cannot take place without an additional $75,000 – $100,000 contribution.

Screen on the Green has faced funding troubles in the past.  In 2009, it was almost discontinued when HBO decided not to continue its sponsorship. Washingtonians organized a Facebook and letter writing campaign, resulting in Comcast and the Trust for the National Mall stepping in alongside HBO to allow Screen on the Green to return for its 10th anniversary.

Screen on the Green is a remarkable free summer movie series that provides a tribute to classic films. The screenings are shown on the National Mall and attract approximately 15,000 Washingtonians and tourists during each screening, held on Monday nights from mid-July through late August, making this one of the largest community events in the District of Columbia. Past film selections include Casablanca, Rocky, On the Waterfront and Dr. No. Washington City Paper readers voted Screen on the Green first runner-up for “Best Festival” in 2009.

The effort to “Save Screen on the Green” continues this spring online, as the profile for the Facebook fan page builds at  http://www.facebook.com/savescreenonthegreen. “Save Screen on the Green” is a committee of Washingtonians and avid Screen on the Green fans who have partnered with D.C. Film Alliance to explore options to secure additional sponsors. More information is available on www.SaveScreenOnTheGreen.org. Additionally, visitors can donate funds or register to receive email updates.