Beverly Hills, CA — For the 17th consecutive year, special events producer Cheryl Cecchetto has been chosen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to produce the annual Governors Ball, the post-telecast celebration for the 78th Academy Awards® on Sunday, March 5, 2006, at the Hollywood & Highland® entertainment complex.

Cecchetto and her team at Sequoia Productions will work with Governors Ball Chair Cheryl Boone Isaacs to manage every detail pertaining to the event, including décor, lighting, sound, rentals, entertainment, food and personnel.

"This year, as always, we hope to discover another facet of the Governors Ball and to create innovative new dimensions, while at the same time maintaining the integrity and majesty that have made the Governors Ball such a prominent event," said Cecchetto.

Sequoia Productions, Cecchetto's company, recently produced
the 57th Annual Emmy Awards® Governors Ball and Entertainment
Weekly's 2nd Annual Emmy Celebration. Sequoia's upcoming events include Australia Week 2006 for the Australian Consul General and the Entertainment Weekly party at Sundance Film Festival. Sequoia is also producing the live, televised opening entertainment, starring LeAnn Rimes, for the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Tournament of Roses BCS National Championship Gala.

The Governors Ball will be held in the Governors Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland complex immediately following the 78th Academy Awards Presentation.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements for 2005 will be presented on March 5, 2006, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PST.