Your Child and Autism

U.S. Film Premiere of 'Snow Cake' Highlights Autism Awareness Month to Benefit Autism Treatment Center of America

Sheffield, MA (PRWeb) March 14, 2007 -- The Autism Treatment Center of America will be holding a Gala Charity Movie Premiere of the award winning film "Snow Cake," starring Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman and Carrie Ann Moss, on April 20, 2007 at 7:00 pm. The US premiere will be held at the lovingly restored Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center located in the Berkshires in Great Barrington, MA as a benefit for The Son-Rise Program, the home-based, child-centered program taught at The Autism Treatment Center of America. General Admission tickets will be sold through The Mahaiwe Box Office for $25.00 per person and limited VIP Passes, that include a lavish cocktail reception at The Castle Street Café, will be sold for $75.00 each person.

This very special event will be held during National Autism Awareness Month to raise awareness of autism which currently affects 1 in 150 children in the US. "Snow Cake" screenwriter, Angela Pell, and her husband, Executive Producer Henry Normal, participated in The Son-Rise Program with their autistic son, Johnny for over four years.

"The two most important things the Autism Treatment Center of America and The Son-Rise Program has taught me and that run as themes in the movie are one, it is incredibly important and liberating to live in the present and two, we can decide how we feel about things," said Angela Pell. "We can choose to find the positive in often the most challenging of situations."

"Snow Cake" is a drama about the friendship between Linda, an autistic woman (Weaver), and Alex (Rickman) who is traumatized after a car accident involving Linda's daughter.

Sales of tickets ($25.00 for general admission and $75.00 for VIP passes) will bolster the Autism Treatment Center of America's scholarship fund, enabling children and families to receive financial assistance for Son-Rise Programs. Fundraising dollars will also provide specialized training for Son-Rise teachers needed throughout the world to serve the ever-growing numbers of Autistic children.

Since 1974, The Son-Rise Program, through the Autism Treatment Center of America has worked with over 22,000 families and individuals around the globe through intensive family programs, in-home outreaches, professional courses and worldwide seminars. The Autism Treatment Center of America is a division of The Option Institute, a non-profit, tax-exempt, charitable organization. All donations are tax deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

If you are interested in learning more about this exciting event or to request an interview or photos to use in your stories, please contact:

Tracy M. Baisden, Publicist
Autism Treatment Center of America           
2080 South Undermountain Road
Sheffield, MA 01258
413-229-8063 ext. 200
btracy @ option.org   

To purchase tickets or contact:
The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Theater
244 Main Street
P.O. Box 690
Great Barrington, MA 01230

Laura Chekow
413-528-0100
www.mahaiwe.org

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