NEW YORK, NY – Quentin Tarantino was honored last night with the 6th Annual Ray-Ban Visionary Award, presented by Ray-Ban and The Creative Coalition, at Harry O’s in Park City, UT. Many of Tarantino’s friends and peers were close by to celebrate his special recognition, including Harvey and Bob Weinstein, Tim Daly, Sandra Oh and Marcia Gay Harden.

“It’s particularly cool to get an award from Ray-Ban,” commented Mr. Tarantino during his acceptance speech. “When I’m writing my scripts, the only time I’ve ever really used the brand names as opposed to describing what something is, is Zippo lighters and Ray-Bans. ‘He puts on his Ray-Bans as he flips on his Zippo.’”

Dennis Hopper, whom Quentin directed in his 1993 hit “True Romance” and 2008’s “Hell Ride,” presented Quentin with the award designed as a pair gold-plated Wayfarers, one of Ray-Ban’s most popular and iconic styles.

A Visionary Oscar-winning screenwriter and Palme D’Or-winning director, Quentin Tarantino has distinguished himself as one of the industry’s finest and most original talents. Tarantino quickly rose to stardom with the 1992 Sundance debut of “Reservoir Dogs” and has since achieved legendary cult status with such films as “Pulp Fiction,” “Grindhouse,” “Jackie Brown,” and “Kill Bill.”

Tarantino commented how fulfilling it was for him to return to Sundance for the first time since his debut in 1992, this time as a jury member and an accomplished director with six films to his credit.

The evening concluded with a special musical performance by American synth rock band The Bravery. Their latest album, The Sun and the Moon, was released in 2007 to much critical acclaim and features the singles “Believe” and “Time Won’t Let Me Go.” The band has recently toured with Incubus and The Smashing Pumpkins.

The Ray-Ban Visionary Award in partnership with The Creative Coalition is in its 6th year and is proud to honor the work and dedication of an individual who possesses extraordinary passion, creativity and leadership, and whose work showcases vision, imagination and originality. Previous award winners include actors Aaron Eckhart, Matt Dillon, Kevin Bacon, President of HBO Films Colin Callender and EVP/COO New Line Productions and President of Fine Line Features Mark Ordesky.

Authenticity and tradition are the hallmark values behind Ray-Ban’s history and success that turned it into an international expression of style and passion. That style and passion has been showcased in some of cinema’s most iconic films. As Ray-Ban celebrates its 70th birthday the brand is as committed as ever to the film community as is demonstrated by their return to the Sundance Film Festival as an official sponsor.

About Ray-Ban
Beginning in 1937 with the early Aviator style, the introduction of other classics such as the Wayfarer in 1952 and continuing today, Ray-Ban is a brand that embodies America and adventure, great cities and wide-open spaces, heroism, individuality and authenticity. Ray-Ban is the world’s best known eyewear brand and global leader in its sector. All models in the Ray-Ban collections are products of meticulous, original styling that translates the best of the latest fashion trends into an ever-contemporary look for millions of Ray-Ban wearers around the world. Introduced to the silver screen in 1961, the unique Ray-Ban lifestyle is embodied in its collections, reflected throughout hundreds of films, and remains the choice eyewear brand of both in real life and in films.

About The Creative Coalition
The Creative Coalition (www.thecreativecoalition.com) is the leading 501 ©(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community.  Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating and mobilizing its members on issues of public importance, primarily public education, the First Amendment, arts advocacy, media literacy, destigmatizing mental illness and stemming runaway production.  Headquartered in New York City, The Creative Coalition also has offices in Washington, DC, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Creative Coalition does not endorse or raise funds for political parties or candidates.

Information about Ray-Ban: www.ray-ban.com

About Luxottica Group S.p.A.
Luxottica Group is a global leader in eyewear, with over 5,900 optical and sun retail stores in North America, Asia-Pacific, China, South Africa and Europe and a strong brand portfolio that includes Ray-Ban, the best-selling sun and prescription eyewear brand in the world, as well as, among others, license brands Bvlgari, Burberry, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo and Versace, and key house brands Vogue, Persol, Arnette and REVO. In addition to a global wholesale network that touches 130 countries, the Group manages leading retail brands such as LensCrafters and Pearle Vision in North America, OPSM and Laubman & Pank in Asia-Pacific, and Sunglass Hut globally. The Group’s products are designed and manufactured in six Italy-based high-quality manufacturing plants and in the only two China-based plants wholly-owned by a premium eyewear manufacturer. For fiscal year 2006,

Luxottica Group (NYSE: LUX; MTA: LUX) posted consolidated net sales of €4.7 billion. Additional information on the Group is available at www.luxottica.com.