20th Anniversary of Mystic Pizza's debut to be celebrated October 17 at Olde Mistick Village Arts Cinemas

Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and local partners to host movie screenings, reception
 and presentation by Director Donald Petrie

HARTFORD and MYSTIC, Conn. (October 15, 2008) – This Friday, 20 years after the release of Mystic Pizza — the indie film-turned-phenonomenon starring Julia Roberts — those associated with bringing the production to Connecticut and hosting the various locations in which it was filmed will partner with its director, one of its leading actors and the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism in a 20th anniversary celebration.

The festivities include an 8 p.m. screening of the film at Olde Mystick Village Arts Cinemas. The showing will include an introduction by Mystic Pizza's director, Donald Petrie, and lead actor William R. Moses. Moses played Tim Travers, the married architect who Kat (Annabeth Gish) falls for in the movie.

In addition to the movie showing, a special 20th Anniversary reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Hilton Mystic's Maritime Room, where guests will have the opportunity to meet both Petrie and Moses. Appetizers and genuine Mystic Pizza will be included on the menu.

Tickets for the Mystic Pizza 20th Anniversary reception plus the 8 p.m. screening are $30 and can be purchased at the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce. Tickets for the 8 p.m. screening, only, are $20 and can be purchased at the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce or the Olde Mistick Village Arts Cinemas.

Since its enactment on January 1, 2006, Connecticut's 30 percent digital media and motion picture tax credit program has helped attract over 70 film and television productions to the state, which have in turn generated both direct and indirect economic impacts, including sales for local businesses, new jobs and associated increases in sales and personal income tax revenue to the state.

"In our efforts to build an infrastructure for the film industry that provides lasting economic benefits for our state," said Governor M. Jodi Rell, "this event serves to recognize the success of productions such as Mystic Pizza, which has and continues to support tourism for one of our nation's most vibrant and historic seaports."

Michael Blair, who in 1988 was warden to the borough of Stonington, worked with the movie's producers to find a location where Mystic Pizza interior scenes would be filmed. The result: A sound stage on the second floor of the Garbo Lobster warehouse in that town. "To achieve an authentic feel in the movie, the producers hired many extras from Mystic, including local actor Bucky Walsh, who had a great speaking part as Mystic Pizza's dishwasher," said Blair, who now heads Prudential Connecticut / Pequot Commercial Properties and is chairman for the October 17 event.

"Mystic Pizza has done so much for this town," said Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tricia Cunningham. "People still come up to me today and tell me about their experiences as extras in the movie. It's really put us on the map."

"To prove that point, we have created a special 20th Anniversary Mystic Pizza Movie Trail map," said Karen Senich, executive director of the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism. Visitors may use the fun, easy to follow map tour to enjoy Mystic Pizza film locations in New London, Mystic, Stonington, Stonington Borough and Pawcatuck. The map maybe downloaded from www.cultureandtourism.org or www.ctfilm.com and obtained by visiting the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce.

What:
20th Anniversary celebration of Mystic Pizza's filming in Southeastern Connecticut

Who:
Donald Petrie, director
William R. Moses, actor
Event Chairman Michael Blair, Prudential Connecticut/Pequot Commercial
Tricia Cunningham, executive director, Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce
Karen Senich, executive director, Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism
George Norfleet, film division director, Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism
Film division staff, Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism

When:
Friday, October 17

Where:
Maritime Room, Hilton Mystic, 20 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic 06335
Olde Mistick Village Art Cinemas, 27 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic 06335

Time:
Reception: 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Mystic
Movie screening: 8 p.m. at Olde Mystick Village Arts Cinemas

Cost:
Tickets for the Mystic Pizza 20th Anniversary reception plus the 8 p.m. screening are $30. Tickets for the 8 p.m. screening, only, are $20.

Contact:
Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, Film Division Director, George Norfleet at (860) 256-2800 or George.Norfleet@ct.gov for more information.

Event Sponsors
Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism
Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce
Michael Blair – Prudential CT / Pequot Commercial
Olde Mistick Village Arts Cinemas
Hilton Mystic
Mohegan Sun
Mystic Pizza

Event Committee Members
Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism
Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce
Olde Mistick Village Arts Cinemas
Michael Blair – Prudential CT / Pequot Commercial
Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea
Mystic Country
Mystic Coast & Country
New London Film Commission
Sonalysts Studios

About the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism
The Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism brings together tourism, film, history and the arts. Its mission is to preserve and promote Connecticut’s cultural and tourism assets in order to enhance the quality of life and economic vitality of the state. The Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism's new offices, which include a gallery, are located at One Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut. The Commission's arts gallery is open to the public weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The space features changing exhibits that directly relate to the Commission’s programs across all four divisions. For more information, log on to www.cultureandtourism.org.

About the Film Division
The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism’s film division administers the state’s tax credit program for film and digital media and provides fast and responsive service to the production companies filming throughout the state, providing production coordination and location assistance, working with production companies, state agencies, cities and towns, schools and privately-owned businesses and locations. The Commission assists production companies looking to film in the state with best operating procedures, permits and permissions, location identification, crew, accommodations, equipment, on-site support and other ongoing production-related activities.

Media Advisory Contacts:
Karen Senich
Executive Director 
Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism 
(860) 256-2727 (Leigh Johnson)

George Norfleet
Film Division Director
Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism 
(860) 256-2800

Jenny Smith
Pita Communications LLC
(860) 293-0157, ext. 15
jenny@pitacomm.com