Morten Tyldum’s “The Imitation Game” To Receive Hamptons International Film Festival 2014 Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize

“Many people have tried to bring this important story to the screen, but The Imitation Game, which Sloan previously supported in its post-production phase and features a bravura lead performance, is the first to succeed and we are thrilled to honor this impressive cinematic achievement,” said Doron Weber, Vice President, Programs at the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. “We are delighted to join our wonderful partners at HIFF for our fifteenth year together to award the 2014 Sloan Feature Film Prize to Morten Tyldum’s moving film about the pioneering—and persecuted—Alan Turing, The Imitation Game.“

Morten Tyldum’s “The Imitation Game” is lead by Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Alan Turing, a complex yet brilliant mathematician. The historical drama also stars Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode and Mark Strong. Turning developed the model for the early computer as well as for computer language, and his code breaking skills assisted the Allies win World War II. Former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill credited Turing’s work as “the greatest single contribution to victory,” but following the war, the mathematician struggled both personally and professionally as he dealt with his homosexuality during a time period when it was illegal. “Turing was a brilliant mathematician and logician who made seminal contributions to computer science and artificial intelligence and whose remarkable skills as a cryptanalyst helped win World War II, yet he was also a victim of discrimination who died tragically,” noted Doron.

“The Imitation Game” will screen at the Hamptons International Film Festival on Saturday, October 11th, and a panel discussion about the use of cryptography and computer science in a historical context, as well as Turing’s impact in the field will follow. Janna Levin, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Barnard/Columbia, and Dan Guido, co-founder and CEO of Trail of Bits, an information security firm, and the Hacker in Residence at NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering will take part in the discussion.

“I want to thank the Sloan Foundation and the dedicated stewardship by Doron Weber for their incredible long term support of HIFF,” said Stuart Match Suna, Chairman of the HIFF Board. “The Sloan Foundation has been a great supporter of filmmakers bringing the world of science to life on the big screen.”

The Weinstein Company will release “The Imitation Game” on Friday, November 21st.

The 22nd Annual Hamptons International Film Festival will be held over Columbus Day Weekend, from Thursday October 9th, through Monday, October 13th.

For tickets, a Founders Pass, or more information, visit hamptonsfilmfest.org.