THE CONTENDERS Present The Years Best Movies As Selected By MoMA

The Museum of Modern Art announces the 2011 lineup for The Contenders, the annual end-of-the-year series that offers filmgoers the opportunity to see a wide spectrum of influential and innovative films made within the last 12 months. Selected from major studio releases and top film festivals by curators in the Museum's Department of Film, the films represent the best of mainstream movies, independents, foreign-language films, documentaries, and art-house sensations. The Contenders is presented from November 8, 2011 through January 30, 2012, in The Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters. It is organized by Rajendra Roy, The Celeste Bartos Chief Curator, and Sean Egan, Producer, The Department of Film, The Museum of Modern Art.

Several screenings will feature appearances by directors and actors. These include Jean Dujardin, lead actor of The Artist, who will participate in a post-screening Q&A on November 16, and Kristen Wiig, lead actress and co-writer of Bridesmaids, who will be present for a film discussion following the screening on November 21. Alexander Payne, director of The Descendents, will be in attendance for a Q&A on November 27. Gore Verbinski, the director of the animated film Rango, will be in attendance on December 9, and director Liza Johnson will be participating in a Q&A after the screening of The Return on January 30.

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