'Shawshank Redemption' Director Coming To Ohio Film Anniversary

MANSFIELD, OH — The 25th Anniversary Celebration of "The Shawshank Redemption" continues to add talent to the festivities, with director, screenwriter and producer Frank Darabont now slated to join the party.

Darabont, who directed and wrote the screenplay for the film, will take part in panel discussions about "Shawshank" and sign autographs for fans during the three-day celebration in August. He joins the largest gathering of the film's cast since its 1992 filming in Mansfield.

On Friday, August 16, Darabont will take part in a panel discussion on "The Shawshank Redemption." The panel will be led by Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz in the historic Renaissance Theatre, where the film was first screened in 1994.

Following the panel discussion, "The Shawshank Redemption" will be played for audiences.

On Saturday, August 17, Darabont will join cast members from the movie at the Shawshank Meet & Greet to sign autographs. On Saturday evening, Darabont and Mankiewicz will take part in the exclusive Shawshank Reception.

Organizers have already announced several actors are slated to attend the anniversary celebration, including: Bob Gunton (Warden Norton), William Sadler (Heywood), Mark Rolston (Bogs), Frank Medrano (Fat Ass), Alfonso Freeman (Red’s Mugshot and Fresh Fish Guy), Scott Mann (Glenn Quentin), Renee Blaine (Linda Dufresne) and Claire Slemmer (Bank Teller).

Background actors from the shooting will also be staged at filming sites throughout Mansfield, colloquially called the Shawshank Trail. There are 16 sites for fans to visit during the weekend. Souvenirs will be also be available for purchase.

One of the most popular tour sites will undoubtedly be the Ohio State Reformatory (which played Shawshank Prison in the movie). Tours will be available at the site for $25 and guests can stand inside Warden Norton's office, peer into Andy's escape tunnel, walk to the Road to Buxton or ride a wagon to Malabar Farm's Pugh Cabin, where the movie's opening scenes were filmed. A full list of other filming sites is found at ShawshankTrail.com. There will also be plenty of free activities for guests to enjoy during the weekend.

Passes for all ticketed anniversary events are on sale now at Shawshank25.com.