Jason Reitman's first full-length feature film as both writer and director, Thank You For Smoking, debuted in 2005. The acerbic, satirical indie comedy was based on a novel by Christopher Buckley about a crafty spin-doctor for the tobacco lobby. The film received rave reviews as a realistic satire with believable heroes, and Jason received praise for traveling a different comedic road than the elder Reitman. Reitman's next feature film, 2007's Juno, starred indie starlet Ellen Page, who played a high school girl forced to deal with an unwanted pregnancy. The witty, heartwarming film won numerous accolades, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Director, Reitman's first. Two years later, Reitman directed, produced and co-wrote Up in the Air (2009), which starred George Clooney. The film opened to warm reviews, and went on to collect a number of honors. Reitman and co-writer Sheldon Turner took home Golden Globe, Writers Guild of America, and BAFTA awards for Best Screenplay. The film is also in the running for six Academy Awards, including three for Reitman for Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Forest Whitaker is one of Hollywood's most accomplished actors/directors/producers who has showcased his talents in a multitude of demanding and diverse roles. Whitaker has garnered critical attention for his performance on "The Shield" opposite Michael Chiklis. In addition, he recently completed the suspense thriller "Vantage Point." Whitaker won the Golden Globe and Oscar for Best Actor for his role as dictator Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland." His lastest films include the 2008 release "Where the Wild Things Are."  He will also be seen in the upcoming ensemble "The Air I Breathe." Whitaker also executive produced Anne Rice's "Feast of All Saints" for Showtime. His other film credits include "Witness Protection," "Light It Up," "Phenomenon," "Species," "Smoke," "Ready to Wear," "Jason's Lyric," "Platoon," "Good Morning Vietnam," "Consenting Adults," "Stakeout," "The Color of Money," "Johnny Handsome," "Downtown," "Diary of a Hit Man," "Body Snatchers," "Vision Quest," and "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." Whitaker made his feature-film directing debut with the critically acclaimed, box-office hit "Waiting to Exhale" for Twentieth Century Fox. He first gained recognition as a director for his debut film, the HBO original "Strapped," for which he received "Best New Director" honors at the Toronto Film Festival. He also directed Twentieth Century Fox's film "Hope Floats," starring Sandra Bullock. Whitaker served as executive producer on each of these films multi-platinum soundtracks which sold over 12 million copies collectively and earned a combined total of 14 Grammy nominations.