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by larry gleeson for FILMbutton

On Wednesday, March 25th, 2015 the TCM Classic Film Festival kicked off it’s latest edition of the TCM Hollywood Classic Film Festival with a press conference. TMC Host Ben Mankiewicz, TCM General Manager Jennifer Dorian, Senior Vice President of Programming Charles Tabesh and Managing Director Genevieve McGillicuddy participated in an hour long  press conference at the TCL Chinese Theatres inside Auditorium 1.  

After brief introductions and the announcement Mankiewicz was celebrating his birthday, Dorian gushed over this year’s edition and the excitement this year’s line-up brings. “This year proves that dreams can come true and what an honor it is to be able to share and celebrate the tradition of filmmaking and films with film lovers.” Mankiewicz after being with TCM for the last eleven and a half years, quickly added he didn’t believe any other channel could put on such an event.

Without further adieu, Tabesh announced the theme for the 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival: History According to Hollywood followed closely by McGuillicuddy’s interjection that she found it difficult to imagine that the images and passion of this year’s event could be experienced anywhere else. Not to be outdone, Tabesh went in deeper adding that TCM is getting access to more and more talent and films – “not just the studios either as filmmakers are more readily to work with us. Originally, when we first started 90% of the content came from the Turner library. “ Jumping on the TCM promotion bandwagon with glee, Mankiewicz went on a rave about the TCM app and it’s extraordinary features including the dumbfounded user feedback experience.

Affably, the entire panel opened themselves up for questions. Polite commentary combined with a penetrating question or two that ranged from programming decisions to the upcoming Frank Sinatra centennial in December. One particular question that stood out came from BJ with Hollywood Moments. He posed his inquiry to the entire panel, “What is your favorite TCM moment?” Indeed! The 2015 festival opening film is the “Sound of Music,” showing tomorrow, Thursday, March 26th at the Chinese Theatre at 6:30 P.M.