FIU, BV Wines to Launch
'Miami Screen/Writers Series,' March 10-12
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' Producer/Screenwriter
Among First Guests in Ambitious New Project

MIAMI, Fla. (Feb. 12, 2001) - Top names in literature and film will come together in the Miami Screen/Writer Series, a novel new partnership between Florida International University's award-winning Creative Writing Program and BV Wines that debuts March 10-12.

Screenings, readings and discussions make up the first installments in the series. They'll take place at FIU-Biscayne Bay, the FIU-Wolfsonian museum, the Albion Hotel and the Colony Theater, the latter three of which are on South Miami Beach. Scheduled to appear are:

The Series is a program of Writers on the Bay, itself a component of the Creative Writing Program at FIU. Writers on the Bay is one of South Florida's longest-running and most prestigious literary reading series. In its 16-year history, Writers on the Bay has brought world-class literary figures to read and lecture at FIU-Biscayne Bay, including Nobel laureates and winners of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, poets and novelists, dramatists and essayists.

"Through the screening of recent films adapted from contemporary literature, and live discussion with creators, we hope to explore and deepen understanding of the collaborative efforts between novelists, screenwriters and directors," said FIU Creative Writing Professor Campbell McGrath, an acclaimed poet ("Road Atlas: Prose and Other Poems," "Spring Comes to Chicago," "American Noise") and winner of a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant.

"Beyond their collaborative conjunction on film, the distinct artistic endeavors of our participants will be further explored through discussions on screenwriting, lectures on aspects of film production, and individual literary readings," he said.

Schamus wrote the screenplay for "The Ice Storm," based on Moody's novel, and produced the critically acclaimed 1997 film starring Kevin Kline, Joan Allen and Sigourney Weaver. Schamus and Moody will not only discuss their most recent projects at a Sat., March 10, 9 p.m. forum at the FIU-Wolfsonian - in Schamus' case, this means his Oscar-contending "Crouching Tiger" - but screen "Ice Storm" on Sunday (March 11, noon, at the Colony Theater with a discussion to follow. McGrath will serve as moderator.

At 7 p.m., Fall will take part in a screening of his 1999 comedy, "Trick," which starred Tori Spelling ("Beverly Hills 90210") and Christian Campbell. He'll discuss the making of the film afterward, with Denise Duhamel serving as moderator.

Monday (March 12, 8 p.m. at the Colony, Wakefield will screen a documentary based on his novel, "New York in the '50s." Joining him in a panel discussion following the screening will be Tom Gorai ("Arlington Road"), producer of "Going All the Way," and Betsy Blankenbaker, the filmmaker of "New York in the '50s."

"We're excited to be an integral part of bringing this creative, innovative program to the community," said Barbara Jackson, vice president of consumer marketing, Southeast Region, United Distillers & Vintners. "We believe this partnership with FIU will be the beginning of a strong cultural alliance with BV, the university and the people of Miami."

BV (Beaulieu Vineyard) is a key component of United Distiller and Vintner's global wine family, which includes Glen Ellen Winery, Blossom Hill and M.G. Vallejo in California, Le Piat d"or in France, Navarro Correas in Argentina, as well as Croft and Delaforce of Oporto, Portugal.

Admission to all of the events is free of charge. Reservations, however, are required. Call (305) 919-5858 for inclusion on the reservations list.

Media contacts: Todd Martinez-Padilla Simmons (305) 348-2716 or 2232 David Umansky (202) 357-2627, ext. 106.