Central Park Conservancy Film Festival Celebrates ICONIC NEW YORK 8/24-28

New York City's iconic skyline, buildings and neighborhoods take center stage at The Central Park Conservancy Film Festival, which brings free movies to the heart of Manhattan for five nights, Aug. 24-28. Each movie features iconic New York locations and sights - from the Empire State Building in King Kong to the city's subway in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3.

The eighth annual festival will be held for the first time in the landscape north of Sheep Meadow, behind Mineral Springs (mid-Park at 69th Street). Enter the Park at 72nd Street. All screenings begin at 8:00 pm, rain or shine. Gates open to the public at 6:30 pm. Bring a picnic!

For more information, visit www.centralparknyc.org/filmfestival.

FILMS

Aug. 24: Fame (1980) This classic '80s musical flick follows students through their audition, training and graduation at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. 134 min. NYC icon: Times Square

Wednesday, Aug. 25: The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) A remake of the 1974 crime thriller, armed men hijack a New York City subway train and hold passengers hostage in return for a ransom. Dispatcher Walter Graber (Denzel Washington) is left to face off with the crime's mastermind (John Travolta). 106 min. NYC icon: New York City subway

Thursday, Aug. 26: Saturday Night Fever (1977) This disco classic follows Tony Manero (John Travolta), a Brooklyn youth who feels his only chance to make it in life is as king of the dance floor. 118 min. NYC icon: Brooklyn Bridge

Friday, Aug. 27: King Kong (1933) In this cult classic stop-animation film, a giant gorilla called Kong attempts to possess a beautiful blond actress. 100 min.

NYC icon: Empire State Building

Saturday, Aug. 28: Viewers' Choice

Voting runs Aug. 2-15. Visit www.centralparknyc.org/filmfestival to cast your vote for:

Manhattan (1979) A romantic comedy about a twice-divorced writer (Woody Allen) who is dating a high school girl, and eventually finds love with his best friend's mistress. (Diane Keaton). 96 min. NYC icon: Queensboro Bridge

Or

Serendipity (2001) A couple (John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale) reunite years after the night they first met, fell in love, and separated, convinced that one day they'd end up together. 90 min. NYC icon: Central Park

The Central Park Conservancy's mission is to restore, manage, and preserve Central Park, in partnership with the public, for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Thanks to the generosity of many individuals, corporations, foundations, and the City of New York, the Conservancy raises 85% of the Park's $25 million annual operating budget. For more information, visit www.centralparknyc.org.

Bloomberg is a leading financial information services, news and media company, serving customers around the world. Bloomberg has a strong commitment to parks and open space, education, and expanding public access to the arts, sciences and humanities.

The Central Park Conservancy appreciates Bloomberg's generous support. Visit www.bloomberg.com to learn more about the company.