The academy will shine the spotlight on 'Orphan Films' in May

By Susan King

April 17, 2013 12 AM PT

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will showcase rarely seen, previously overlooked films with a two-day screening series “The Real Indies: A Close Look at Orphan Films” May 10 and 11 at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood.

The series, presented in partnership with New York University and the Orphan Film Symposium, will feature the West Coast premiere of the restoration of “Portrait of Jason,” Shirley Clarke’s 1967 documentary about a gay African American self-described hustler. Elvis Mitchell will moderate a panel after the screening that will include Dennis Doros, co-founder of Milestone Films, which recently restored the film in partnership with the Academy Film Archive, and Robert Fiore, the film’s assistant to the director.

The series will feature rare home movies, promotional films, silent rediscoveries and experimental shorts including works by Saul Bass and Satyajit Ray. Plus there are premieres of the restorations of Oscar-nominated “Exploratorium,” Jim Hoberman’s “Mission to Mongo” and Academy Award-winning cinematographer Ray Rennahan’s “The Love Charm.”

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