Oscar Night America Miami

By Amy Reyes2/21/2012

Watch the Oscars in a room filled with like-minded cinephiles at the Miami Beach Film Society’s Oscar Night America Miami, the official Oscars viewing party for the city of Miami.

This is not a bunch of film nerds in a dorm room, wearing sweats and ordering pizza: We're talking red carpet, wine and gala-style dinner, Miami's rich and famous - the works! To get the goods, we chat with Miami Beach Film Society founder Dana Keith.

Q: How did the Miami Beach Film Society become associated with Oscar Night America?
A: The Academy approves only one organization per major city in the USA for their "Oscar Night America" program, and MBFS has been chosen for the 10th year in a row.

Q: How important is this fundraiser to the mission of the MBFS?
A: It is our annual fundraiser that supports the concept of presenting film as an art-form all year round. Our organization is dedicated to presenting and promoting film as art, and the Academy, standing for quality in the film industry, is an adamant supporter of that concept.

We include in our programming throughout the year the type of films that are included in some of the smaller categories such as the Animated and Live Action Shorts, Documentary (such as "Pina", coming soon), and Foreign Language film (such as "Bullhead," opening March 2nd).

Q: Describe what people can expect at Oscar Night America Miami.
A: We will be dining and watching the live telecast among the famous automobiles from Oscar-winning films in the Dezer Collection, the world's largest collection of famous film cars, with our supporters Coppola Wines, Absolut Miami, Perrier, and Nespresso, and great food by Exquisite, Trump International, and Majestic caterers. Each guest will go home with the same original program that guests get at the real Academy Awards in Hollywood. It's the nearest thing in Miami to being at the real ceremony.
 
Q:  Name drop for us: Who can we expect to see at the gala?
A: Michael Dezer himself will be there, the owner of all those original batmobiles and Bond cars. In fact, he may just let one or two go that night to someone with the right bid. Legendary photographer Bunny Yeager and entourage will be attending, with this party also serving as closing event to her spectacular photography exhibition in the same space curated by Berlin gallerist Helmut Schuster, who will also attend. Bond Girl Naima will be there to help celebrate the upcoming Bond exhibition. Plus, an entire room of philanthropic supporters of MBC (Miami Beach Cinematheque), such as foundation guru Bob Crane and his wife Shirley Muñoz, and Wendy Orange, who has been so supportive of MBC from the get-go.

Q: Should we call our stylists for the event, rent some jewels?
A: That's a good idea to keep up with the Ema Savahl styling that will grace the red carpet. Now is your chance to really do it up. Why not? Open up that safety deposit box.

I'll be in my usual 1940's tuxedo with Marlon Brando cufflinks, and sometimes people arrive in surprisingly creative evening wear. Nothing is required, in fact we hope to have a few streakers ala 1974 Academy Awards ceremony.

Q: Who is the MBFS rooting for a best picture win?
Great question. We love auteur cinema, and Terrence Malick is a great auteur. I am happy that an atyical film like "The Tree Of Life" was nominated, even though it won't win.

I also love the fact that "The Artist" is about film history, which we love, as well as "Hugo" (In fact the beautifully  restored "A Trip To The Moon" is coming to MBC in March! Go Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavao for Hugo's Art Direction!).

Dujardin is such a winner, (even though George and Brad have never won Best Actor), and he has already won Best Actor in Cannes. From that moment on I figured he may win Oscar as well, and "The Artist" may very well win the main prize.

Speak up!