MEGAN FOX TO RECEIVE THE 2011 MAUI FILM FESTIVAL IRIS AWARD

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MEGAN FOX TO RECEIVE THE 2011 MAUI FILM FESTIVAL IRIS AWARD

Wailea, HI (May 25, 2011) – Megan Fox will receive the 2011 Maui Film Festival Iris Award, it was announced today by Barry Rivers, Director of the event, which will be held June 15-19, 2011, at the Wailea Resort in Maui.  The Iris Award honors Megan Fox as a film artist with heartfelt respect for the environment and a willingness to support the causes she believes in, through both her film career and her philanthropy.  Fox will be presented the Iris Award at the Maui Film Festival Opening Night on June 15th, at Celestial Cinema located at the Wailea Gold & Emerald Golf Course.

Following her Award Presentation, later in the night, there will be a screening of “NA NAI’A: Legend of The Dolphins,” narrated by Fox, as well as other stars including Kate Winslet, Ellen Page, Gerard Butler, James Franco, Julian Lennon, Diego Luna, Whoopi Goldberg, Isabella Rossellini and Daryl Hannah.  “NA NAI’A: Legend of The Dolphins” is an amazing, awe-inspiring, true-life documentary unfolding a story of legendary proportions.  Experience an adventure like no other on the planet -- a spectacular journey under the sea capturing the incredible beauty and staggering you-are-there drama of the dolphins…discover their power, their message to humanity, and the importance of their survival in this larger than life adventure through the oceans of the eight corners of the Earth.

“Megan has supported many charities involving children’s and women’s issues and we’re thrilled to now have her raising awareness about the magnificent dolphins of Earth and especially those who live, love and evolve in the vast Pacific Ocean that nurtures the islands of Hawaii,” said Maui Film Festival Director Barry Rivers.  Fox actively supports Giorgio Armani’s ACQUA FOR LIFE initiative, which aids in the distribution of drinking water to children throughout the world.

Megan Fox is well known for her break-out starring role of ‘Mikaela’ opposite, Shia LaBeouf in “Transformers” and the second film in the franchise “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.” She will next be seen in the independent film “Friends with Kids” from writer/director Jennifer Westfeldt, opposite Jon Hamm, Adam Scott and Kristen Wiig.  She is about to begin filming “This is 40,” for Judd Apatow alongside Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd for Universal Pictures, which will be seen in 2012.  She looks forward to starting production soon on the live-action feature film adaptation of “Fathom” in the lead role of ‘Aspen,’ based on the popular comic about a beautiful marine biologist and former Olympic swimmer who discovers she’s a member of a race of aquatic humanoids.  Fox will also serve as an executive producer on the film, which is in development now.

Fox’s past film credits include “Passion Play,” opposite Mickey Rourke and Bill Murray; “Jonah Hex,” Warner Bros. fantastical western live-action adaptation of the DC series, opposite Josh Brolin and John Malkovich; 20th Century Fox’s dark comedic/horror thriller “Jennifer’s Body,” written by Academy-Award winner Diablo Cody and co-starring Amanda Seyfried; and “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People,” alongside Simon Pegg.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Fox began taking dance lessons at the age of five and continued her training when the family moved to Florida when she was 10. At age 15 she moved to Los Angeles and started working on feature films and television.

ABOUT THE MAUI FILM FESTIVAL

Barry and Stella Rivers founded the Maui Film Festival in 2000 as a jewel box festival committed to the celebration and exploration of cinema at the intersection of smart and heart.  The Festival's mission has always been to share exceptional cinematic vision in the service of compassionate and transformative storytelling with a diverse audience who call Maui both their home and their home away from home.

Since its inception, the Maui Film Festival has screened more than 500 narrative and documentary feature length and short films from around the world to a diverse audience of industry luminaries, filmmakers, cineastes and movie lovers of all ages.  Over the last 11 years the festivals has been fortunate to honor such talents as Joan Allen, Adrien Brody, Pierce Brosnan, Tim Burton, Woody Harrelson, Zac Efron, Dennis Quaid, Claire Danes, Owen Wilson, Mike Myers, Zooey Deschanel, Clint Eastwood, Jake Gyllenhaal, Patricia Clarkson, Helen Hunt, among others.  Through the 11th annual Maui Film Festival in 2010, the Festival has generated more than 70 million dollars in economic activity for the County of Maui.

The 2011 Maui Film Festival is made possible by the tremendous and continued support of a number of local, national and international organizations. This year's Official Sponsors include: Hawaii Tourism Authority, Stella Artois; Major Sponsors:  Destination Resorts Hawaii, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, Grand Wailea, Hotel Wailea, Starwood Capital Group / Kobayashi Group, The Shops At Wailea, Wailea Beach Marriott Resort and Spa, Wailea Golf Club, Wailea Beach Villas; Industry Sponsors: Getty Images, WireImage and Getty Video, Reel Maui / Maui Film Office, Picture Mill, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The Works Creative Group; Sponsorship Ohana: Capische?, MALA Wailea, Mana Foods, Maui No Ka Oi Magazine, Maui’s Own Organic Ocean Vodka, Spago, Tommy Bahama; Kama'aina Ohana:  Art to Print, Australian Consulate - General Honolulu, Akina Aloha Tours, County Of Maui, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Gannon's, KAOI Radio Group, Letarte, Love Renaissance, Maui Economic Development Board, Maui Coffee Roasters, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Maui News, MediSpa Maui, Native 92.5, Ono Gelato, Paradise Self-Storage, PSAV, Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, Rising Sun Solar + Electric, RiversToTheSea.com, RiversToTheSurf.com, The Wailea Group Real Estate Sales and Marketing, Wailea Resort Association.

The 2011 Maui Film Festival at Wailea will be held June 15-19, 2011.  For additional information, call the Film Festival Headquarters at (808) 572-3456 or visit www.mauifilmfestival.com.