I.O.U.S.A. Makes Oscar Shortlist For Best Documentary Feature

I.O.U.S.A. Makes Oscar Shortlist For Best Documentary Feature

Timely film about the growing national debt among 15 considered for nomination

LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- I.O.U.S.A., the critically acclaimed film about the rapidly growing national debt and its consequences for the United States economy, is on the short list for an Oscar nomination in the Best Documentary Feature category. The film, directed by Sundance veteran Patrick Creadon (Wordplay), is among the 15 documentary features that will now advance in the voting process designating the final five nominees for next year's Academy Awards.

I.O.U.S.A. has garnered rave reviews from critics since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Roger Ebert of The Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three and a half stars and it has been dubbed An Inconvenient Truth for the United States economy by the many in the press.

As anxious individuals face growing economic uncertainty, both domestically and abroad, the film has been the focus of a unique groundswell of interest and grassroots activity. Educators are bringing the film to their classrooms as a vital teaching tool, while young Americans are using the film on college campuses to raise awareness among their peers on fiscal issues crucial to their futures.

Advocacy and watchdog groups, along with various community organizations around the nation, have been hosting private screenings of I.O.U.S.A. for members and local residents. (A full listing of scheduled screenings can be found on the film's official website at www.IOUSATheMovie.com/events.)

A 30-minute version of I.O.U.S.A., which is now available for viewing on the film's website (www.IOUSATheMovie.com), and on YouTube (www.YouTube.com), has also been a vital tool for a growing number of citizens seeking to spread the film's important messages.

Pointedly topical and consummately nonpartisan, I.O.U.S.A. paints a vivid and alarming profile of America's current economic situation and drives home the message that the time to begin addressing America's financial future is now. The film follows former U.S. Comptroller General David M. Walker and Robert Bixby of the Concord Coalition as they crisscross the country explaining America's unsustainable fiscal policies to its citizens as part of the Fiscal Wake-up Tour. The film also features candid interviews with noted experts such as Warren Buffett, Alan Greenspan, Paul O'Neill, Robert Rubin, and Paul Volcker, as well as with everyday citizens.

The record-setting August opening included an unprecedented town hall featuring financial and policy experts such as Warren Buffett and Peter G. Peterson Foundation's Chairman Pete Peterson and CEO Dave Walker, which was beamed via satellite to over 350 movie theaters in 42 states across the country.

The Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2009. The 81st Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2008 will be presented on Sunday, February 22, 2009.

About Roadside Attractions

Roadside Attractions is an independent film distribution company committed to championing films that entertain, delight and enlighten audiences of all kinds. The company works with filmmakers to devise innovative marketing strategies that encourage audiences to see films that are not typical studio fare. Previous theatrical releases include the Academy Award(R)-nominated SUPER SIZE ME, Independent Spirit Award winner THE ROAD TO GUANTANAMO as well as box office hits such as AMAZING GRACE, BELLA, THE FALL and WHAT THE BLEEP DO WE KNOW?

About The Peter G. Peterson Foundation

Founded by the senior chairman of The Blackstone Group with a personal commitment of at least $1 billion, the Foundation is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the nature and urgency of key fiscal challenges threatening America's future, and to accelerating action on them. To address these challenges successfully, we work to bring Americans together to find sensible, long-term solutions that transcend age, party lines and ideological divides in order to achieve real results. The Foundation purchased the rights to the documentary I.O.U.S.A. in July 2008.

Source: The Peter G. Peterson Foundation

CONTACT: Trey Ditto of Rubenstein Associates, +1-212-843-8063,
tditto@rubenstein.com; or Elizabeth Wilner, or Myra Sung, both of Peter G.
Peterson Foundation, +1-212-542-9200, press@pgpf.org

Web Site: http://www.iousathemovie.com/

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