Since Sean Penn has the reputation for being a bit aloof, the assumption in Hollywood is that he's not vigorously tubthumping the new movie he directed, "Into the Wild," for awards consideration. Not so! Below is just a sampling of his recent media schedule. This doesn't even include all of the ballyhoo he did at the Toronto International Film Festival plus the regular hype that goes with premiering any pic, including press junkets, media roundtables and one-on-ones. Next month he's attending the London Film Festival and plans to keep up this pace throughout awards season.

Hmmmm. Considering how much award voters love Cool-Actors-Turned-Directors (Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner), Sean Penn's enthusiastic support of "Into the Wild" in person across the industry, plus its ace reviews and strong b.o., may be enough to push it into the top Oscar and Golden Globe races for best pic and/or director.

Sept. 5 - Industry word-of-mouth Q&A screening, NYC
Sept. 6 - New York University, Q&A screening
Sept. 11 - National Board of Review, Q&A screening
Sept. 11 - New York Public Library, Q&A screening
Sept. 13 - Mill Valley Film Festival (presented award to Emile Hirsch)
Sept. 15 - Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. press conference
Sept. 17 - Screen Actors Guild nominating committee, Q&A screening
Sept. 17 - Variety screening
Sept. 18 - Los Angeles premiere
Sept. 20 - "The Oprah Winfrey Show"
Oct. 7 - Directors Guild of America, L.A., Q&A screening
Oct. 17 - Writers' Bloc, Q&A screening
Oct. 18 - Backstage West, Q&A screening
Oct. 18 - Speaking to American Film Institute Master Class
Oct. 19 - Directors Guild of America, N.Y.C. Q&A screening

(Photo: Wire Image)