Canon U.S.A. Launches New Program To Benefit Film Independent Filmmakers At The 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, June 18, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today launched the new Canon Filmmaker Award Program in partnership with Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival. Open to eligible Film Independent Fellows, Los Angeles Film Festival alumni, and Spirit Awards Nominees and Winners, the program is designed to help emerging filmmakers 'leave no story untold.'

Winners of the Canon Filmmaker Award Program will be lent a Canon Cinema EOS C300 camera package to create their next feature length narrative or documentary film, or in special cases, short films. Announced quarterly over the next year, the application process for the Fall Period opens today and will accept submissions until August 1, 2012. All applications are to be submitted via the Film Independent website, http://www.filmindependent.org/labs-and-programs/grants-and-awards/canon-filmmaker-award-program/.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Canon, a company that shares our vision of supporting cinema as art, on this new Canon Filmmaker Award Program," said Josh Welsh, co-president, Film Independent. "So many of our Fellows are already working with Canon's existing equipment, so to be able to shoot their films with these new cameras will truly elevate their production experience and bring their films to life."

Canon U.S.A. announced the new program at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival, a preeminent cinematic event presented annually by Film Independent at L.A. LIVE in Downtown Los Angeles. From June 14-24, 2012, the Festival will screen nearly 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos, including Virgin airlines' "Departure Date," shot with the Cinema EOS C300 at 35,000 feet. Just a few of the other projects on the Festival's diverse roster that were filmed with Canon imaging equipment include "A Band Called Death," "About Face," "Beauty is Embarrassing," "An Oversimplification of Her Beauty," "Red Flag," "Remote Area Medical," and "Reportero."

As one of this year's Platinum Sponsors, Canon partnered with Film Independent to bring an exciting new slate of programming for filmmakers and festivalgoers.

On Saturday, June 16, 2012, Canon invited Los Angeles Film Festival attendees to explore the company's line of Cinema EOS products at the Filmmaker Lounge, including touch-and-try demonstrations of the acclaimed Cinema EOS C300, EOS 5D Mark III, and new 4K Cinema EOS C500 and EOS-1D C cameras. The experience culminated in the much-anticipated event "Canon Celebrates Cinematographers," hosted by Shane Hurlbut, ASC, and Richard Crudo, ASC, where established and emerging industry professionals convened to honor the art of cinematography. Canon, along with co-sponsor HBO, also hosted the annual Fellows and Industry Mixer at Katsuya at L.A. LIVE on Sunday, June 17, 2012.

On Saturday, June 23, 2012, Canon will screen "when you find me"-a short film produced by two-time Academy Award® winner Ron Howard and directed by his daughter Bryce Dallas Howard, as part of Canon's Project Imagin8ion. Immediately following the screening, Canon will host a unique panel discussion with some of the key creative and technical minds behind the production, including Kevin Chinoy, producer, Freestyle Picture Company; Andre Lascaris, director of photography; and Evan Pesses, chief lighting technician. The event will close out with a screening of Dante Ariola and Jeff Cronenweth's short "Man and Beast," filmed with the new 4K Cinema EOS C500. The screenings and panel, moderated by Canon film and television production advisor Tim Smith, begin at 10:00 am at Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE 12.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With approximately $45.6 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents registered in 2011† and is one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2012. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.