Bingham Ray facts for kids
Bingham Ray (born October 1, 1954 – died January 23, 2012) was an important American leader in the world of independent films. Independent films are movies made outside of the big Hollywood studios, often with unique stories and styles.
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Bingham Ray's Journey in Film
Bingham Ray helped start a company called October Films, which distributed independent movies. This means they helped get these special films shown in theaters. Later, he became the president of United Artists, another well-known film company, from 2001 to 2004. At the time he passed away, he was leading the San Francisco Film Society, an organization that supports filmmaking.
Honoring Bingham Ray's Impact
Bingham Ray left a lasting mark on the film industry. To honor his work, the Independent Feature Project's Gotham Independent Film Awards created a special prize in 2012.
The Bingham Ray Award
The Bingham Ray Award is given to a new filmmaker. This award celebrates someone whose movies show a unique creative vision. It also recognizes a bold style that stands out from typical mainstream films. The goal is to bring more attention to new artists. Their work could join the ranks of filmmakers that Bingham Ray himself supported.
- Benh Zeitlin, the director and co-writer of Beasts of the Southern Wild, was the very first person to receive the Bingham Ray Award.
- Oden Roberts, who wrote and directed A Fighting Season, received a grant from Ray in December 2011.
Film and Festival Dedications
Many people in the film world remembered Bingham Ray.
- The 39th Telluride Film Festival in 2013 was dedicated to him.
- The 2012 movie Stand Up Guys, starring Christopher Walken and Al Pacino, was also dedicated to him.
- The 2015 documentary The First Film is dedicated to Ray. This film shows that the world's first movie was made in England by Louis Le Prince.
