2013 09/27-10/03
The Premier Filipino-American Newspaper in the U.S. since 1961. It was founded in 1961 in the San Francisco home of expatriate Alex Esclamado. It has become one of the oldest and biggest Asian American newspapers with a weekly circulation of 120,000.
Northern California's fast-growing Filipino American newspaper in circulation since 2007, the Philippines Today is well-known to provide fair news and fearless views. The leading mid-week Fil-Am local newspaper is being distributed free in the major cities of Northern California.
Your No. 1 Source of Filipino Entertainment News in North America.
Fil-Am Insider is a bi-weekly entertainment publication for the Filipino community circulated in Northern and Southern California, Nevada and New York.
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'Philippine News' & 'Philippines Today'.
Contact: Richard Lao
ADKINS Multi-Media Concepts
Richard_Ariz_Lao@yahoo.com
Bradford Adkins, 'SCENES In The City' is a widely read Filipino-American community column in San Francisco since 2008. Online, it is being globally read by more than 1.7 M viewers in 160 countries. The column features include: the issues and events, the individuals and organizations moving the community.
2012 Binibining Pilipinas-TOURISM Winner Katrina Dimaranan of Fremont, CA will be one of the judges in the 2014 Miss Philippines Earth (USA) Beauty Pageant to be held on Saturday, November 2, 2013 5:00PM at the San Ramon Performing Arts Center.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
http://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest?eventId=787766&presenter=SANRAMON&venue=&event=&version=
Samantha Rose Costales (a TFCKat semi-finalist) of San Jose, CA is one of the official candidates in the ongoing search for Miss Philippines Earth (USA) 2014.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
http://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest?eventId=787766&presenter=SANRAMON&venue=&event=&version=
Mrs Glorina Galvez celebrated her 75th Birthday onSept 21, 2013 @ her beautiful house in San Jose, California. Her Bday party was well attended by her family, friends and co-workers from Intel Corporation.
Oscar is the highest Filipino US BRIGADIER GENERAL IN WASHINGTON STATE . The event was held at the TPC SONQUALMIE PRIVATE GOLF CLUB - Snoqualmie, WA. last August 19-25, 2013. Joe Camacho ( Guam), Emma Herron ( Snoqualmie,WA), Ret.US Brigadier General Oscar Hilman ( Tacoma , WA ), Frank Pangelinan ( Saipan ).
Happy 7th birthday, MADELINE MONTOYA (October 4). She celebrated with a grand party in Fremont, CA last weekend with Mom Lani, Dad and siblings Michael and Christian).
JERICHO WINS ANEW
TO-BE SEEN IN THE CITY
(HAGATNA, GUAM) – Jericho Rosales adds another feather to his already heavy cap by being awarded the Achievement in Acting (equivalent to ‘Best Actor’) for his movie “Alagwa” and the same film directed by Ian Lorenos also won the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature (equivalent to ‘Best Picture’) at the 3rd Guam International Film Festival (http://www.guamfilmfestival.org/).
The other awardees are:
GRAND JURY AWARD – BEST NARRATIVE SHORT:
HSU JI BEHIND THE SCREEN (France, Dir: Thomas Rio)
GRAND JURY AWARD – BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:
THE ILLNESS AND THE ODYSSEY (Guam, US, Dir: Berry Minott)
GRAND JURY AWARD – BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT:
STRAIGHT WITH YOU (Netherlands, Dir: Daan Bol)
BEST MADE IN THE MARIANAS:
THE ILLNESS AND THE ODYSSEY (Guam, US, Dir: Berry Minott)
ACHIEVEMENT IN ACTING:
JERICHO ROSALES FOR ‘BREAKAWAY (ALAGWA)’ (Philippines, Dir: Ian Lorenos)
BEST OF FESTIVAL:
A2-B-C (Japan, Dir: Ian Thomas Ash)
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD:
ZORI (Marshall Islands, Dirs: Jack Niedenthal, Suzanne Chutaro)
Previously, Rosales also won the same ‘Best Actor’ awards for the same movie at the recently concluded Newport Beach Film Festival and the Philippine’s most respective film critics’ organization - the 36th Gaward Urian Awards held about two (2) months ago.
I have seen the movie “Alagwa” at the recent The World Indie Film Festival (TWIFF) held last month in Fremont, CA and I must say I cannot imagine any other actor portraying the role with such intensity, maturity and power as Jericho Rosales. His acting towards the revelation at the end of the movie is moving and unforgettable. As a matter of fact, the scene still lingers in my mind up to this day.
The movie “Alagwa” will be having its nationwide release in the Philippines this month (October 2013), so try to catch it!
“Alagwa’s” trailer can be viewed on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uPOTyux9MzM
This article also appears online at www.BradfordAdkins.com,www.ScenesInTheCity.com, www.PinoyEntertainment.us, www.PhilippineNews.com, www.FilAmInsider.com and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 160 countries now (& still counting!) according to the latest Google Analytics report.
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This powerful new documentary investigates one of the greatest mysteries in the modern world...a real-life prophecy unfolding today. Filmed primarily in the heart of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Medjugorie,
In 1981 the Virgin Mary appeared to six small children in the tiny Baltic village of Medjugorje, bringing messages of God’s love to the world. She promised to give each of the six visionaries a total of ten secrets that will occur on earth in the near future. The visionaries have so far revealed only one of the secrets. In the third secret, Our Lady promised to leave a supernatural, indestructible and visible sign on the mountain where she first appeared in Medjugorje.
Director Sean Bloomfield and producer Zaid Jazrawi have devoted the past several years of their lives to The Triumph. Now, the film is nearly complete.
The result? A stunning film that has the power to change the way the audience looks at the world. But we need your help to get The Triumph in front of as many people as possible.
The Triumph investigates a modern-day miracle that has global implications. Once in a rare while, a documentary film comes along that has the power to change the world. Bring your family and friends!
"THE TRIUMPH" the movie next showing will be on October 26, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. at Century 20 Theaters, 1901 Junipero Serra Blvd, Daly City, CA
To order tickets, please contact Beth Ungson at 650-296-8424 or the Divine Mercy Eucharustic Society at 510-412-4715. Ticket Cost: $13 per person.
Myx TV Sponsors the 8th Annual NYC Kollaboration Talent Show
Empowerment through entertainment
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (September 24, 2013) – Myx TV proudly announces its partnership with the Kollaboration New York City competition. The competition is back for their 8th year to feature the tri-state’s top Asian American performers. Ten performers will compete for a prize of $1,000 and a chance to advance to the Kollaboration Star finale, where $20,000 awaits the champion. Empowering through entertainment, Kollaboration New York lights up the stage of the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in Washington Square on September 28th.
Spotlighting Asian American artists, now in 14 cities across the United States, Kollaboration boasts of a stellar talent pool. Previous winner Far East Movement moved on to record albums and now has the distinction of being the first Asian American group to earn a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Hip hop dancers Quest Crewwowed Kollaboration’s audience before winning the third season of America’s Best Dance Crew, appearing on national television shows, and choreographing for well-known artists such as LMFAO. Another Kollaboration champion, Kenichi Ebina, would go on to conquer the Apollo Amateur Night and was recently crowned as the 2013 winner of America’s Got Talent.
Launched in 2000 by founder and comedian Paul “PK” Kim, Kollaboration has grown from a local talent show in Los Angeles’ Koreatown to a North American showcase with millions of online viewers around the globe. Its goal is to empower Asian American artists to pursue a career in arts and entertainment, and provide a stage for performers that have been historically underrepresented in mainstream media.
“Myx TV is proud to partner with Kollaboration New York City in its laudable work that brings the best Asian American talent to the spotlight,” said Tiffany Phung, Marketing Manager for Myx TV.
This year’s competitors include vocalists Adinah Lagud, Austin Luu, Justin Joo and Shilpa, rappers Bohan Phoenixand IZZY, musician duo Super Piano Brothers, steppers noMusic, dancers PowerPuff Boys, and guitarist-vocalist duoHayoo.
“We are proud to have the support of Myx TV. Like Kollaboration, Myx TV aims to empower Asian American artists by providing a platform for expression through their channel,” said Roy Choi, Executive Producer of Kollaboration. “We look forward to a fruitful relationship with this fantastic network."
To learn more about Kollaboration New York City, visit www.kollaborationnewyork.org
Concerts/Theatre
WATCH AEGIS LIVE Sunday 10/13/13 @ San Jose Center For The Arts 6:30PM. Tickets available now ($38 $58 $78)
Alden Richards on the cover of this year’s Cosmo Men!
GMA Network and GMA Artist Center congratulate one of its prime leading men, Alden Richards, for being hailed as one of this year’s hottest 69 Cosmo Bachelors.
Known for his handsome looks and undeniable talent, Alden admits that it’s an honour to be part of Cosmo’s coveted list of bachelors. “I am happy and excited. It’s my first time to be on the cover of Cosmo Men and I’m blessed that Summit Media and Cosmopolitan Magazine gave me their trust to be one of the covers.”
Last year, the sought after Kapuso star was one of the Cosmo Centerfolds and further captured the hearts of the Cosmo girls as he showed his winsome smile and toned form at the Cosmo Bachelors Bash 2012.
This September 24, the young heartthrob will once again hit the Cosmo ramp along with the country’s hottest bachelors in a ‘show-off’ of stunning form and physique. As preparation for the anticipated event, he currently undergoes a strict diet and workout schedule.
When asked about how a lady could win his heart, he says “Just be natural and she doesn’t need to fake anything just to get my attention”.
Other men who made it to the magazine’s 69 bachelors’ list include Kapuso stars Aljur Abrenica, Tom Rodriguez and Dennis Trillo.
76 COUNTRIES IN COMPETITION FOR 2013 FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OSCAR®
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – A record 76 countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 86th Academy Awards®. Moldova and Saudi Arabia are first-time entrants; Montenegro is submitting for the first time as an independent country.
The 2013 submissions are:
Afghanistan, "Wajma – An Afghan Love Story," Barmak Akram, director;
Albania, "Agon," Robert Budina, director;
Argentina, "The German Doctor," Lucía Puenzo, director;
Australia, "The Rocket," Kim Mordaunt, director;
Austria, "The Wall," Julian Pölsler, director;
Azerbaijan, "Steppe Man," Shamil Aliyev, director;
Bangladesh, "Television," Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, director;
Belgium, "The Broken Circle Breakdown," Felix van Groeningen, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, "An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker," Danis Tanovic, director;
Brazil, "Neighboring Sounds," Kleber Mendonça Filho, director;
Bulgaria, "The Color of the Chameleon," Emil Hristov, director;
Cambodia, "The Missing Picture," Rithy Panh, director;
Canada, "Gabrielle," Louise Archambault, director;
Chad, "GriGris," Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, director;
Chile, "Gloria," Sebastián Lelio, director;
China, "Back to 1942," Feng Xiaogang, director;
Colombia, "La Playa DC," Juan Andrés Arango, director;
Croatia, "Halima’s Path," Arsen Anton Ostojic, director;
Czech Republic, "The Don Juans," Jiri Menzel, director;
Denmark, "The Hunt," Thomas Vinterberg, director;
Dominican Republic, "Quien Manda?" Ronni Castillo, director;
Ecuador, "The Porcelain Horse," Javier Andrade, director;
Egypt, "Winter of Discontent," Ibrahim El Batout, director;
Estonia, "Free Range," Veiko Ounpuu, director;
Finland, "Disciple," Ulrika Bengts, director;
France, "Renoir," Gilles Bourdos, director;
Georgia, "In Bloom," Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Gross, directors;
Germany, "Two Lives," Georg Maas, director;
Greece, "Boy Eating the Bird’s Food," Ektoras Lygizos, director;
Hong Kong, "The Grandmaster," Wong Kar-wai, director;
Hungary, "The Notebook," Janos Szasz, director;
Iceland, "Of Horses and Men," Benedikt Erlingsson, director;
India, "The Good Road," Gyan Correa, director;
Indonesia, "Sang Kiai," Rako Prijanto, director;
Iran, "The Past," Asghar Farhadi, director;
Israel, "Bethlehem," Yuval Adler, director;
Italy, "The Great Beauty," Paolo Sorrentino, director;
Japan, "The Great Passage," Ishii Yuya, director;
Kazakhstan, "Shal," Yermek Tursunov, director;
Latvia, "Mother, I Love You," Janis Nords, director;
Lebanon, "Blind Intersections," Lara Saba, director;
Lithuania, "Conversations on Serious Topics," Giedre Beinoriute, director;
Luxembourg, "Blind Spot," Christophe Wagner, director;
Mexico, "Heli," Amat Escalante, director;
Moldova, "All God’s Children," Adrian Popovici, director;
Montenegro, "Ace of Spades - Bad Destiny," Drasko Djurovic, director;
Morocco, "Horses of God," Nabil Ayouch, director;
Nepal, "Soongava: Dance of the Orchids," Subarna Thapa, director;
Netherlands, "Borgman," Alex van Warmerdam, director;
New Zealand, "White Lies," Dana Rotberg, director;
Norway, "I Am Yours," Iram Haq, director;
Pakistan, "Zinda Bhaag," Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi, directors;
Palestine, "Omar," Hany Abu-Assad, director;
Peru, "The Cleaner," Adrian Saba, director;
Philippines, "Transit," Hannah Espia, director;
Poland, "Walesa. Man of Hope," Andrzej Wajda, director;
Portugal, "Lines of Wellington," Valeria Sarmiento, director;
Romania, "Child’s Pose," Calin Peter Netzer, director;
Russia, "Stalingrad," Fedor Bondarchuk, director;
Saudi Arabia, "Wadjda," Haifaa Al Mansour, director;
Serbia, "Circles," Srdan Golubovic, director;
Singapore, "Ilo Ilo," Anthony Chen, director;
Slovak Republic, "My Dog Killer," Mira Fornay, director;
Slovenia, "Class Enemy," Rok Bicek, director;
South Africa, "Four Corners," Ian Gabriel, director;
South Korea, "Juvenile Offender," Kang Yi-kwan, director;
Spain, "15 Years Plus a Day," Gracia Querejeta, director;
Sweden, "Eat Sleep Die," Gabriela Pichler, director;
Switzerland, "More than Honey," Markus Imhoof, director;
Taiwan, "Soul," Chung Mong-Hong, director;
Thailand, "Countdown," Nattawut Poonpiriya, director;
Turkey, "The Butterfly’s Dream," Yilmaz Erdogan, director;
Ukraine, "Paradjanov," Serge Avedikian and Olena Fetisova, directors;
United Kingdom, "Metro Manila," Sean Ellis, director;
Uruguay, "Anina," Alfredo Soderguit, director;
Venezuela, "Breach in the Silence," Luis Alejandro Rodríguez and Andrés Eduardo Rodríguez, directors.
The 86th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 16, 2014, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
2013 ACADEMY NICHOLL FELLOWSHIPS IN SCREENWRITING
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Nine individual screenwriters and one writing team have been selected as finalists for the 2013 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition. Their scripts will now be read and judged by the Academy Nicholl Fellowships Committee, which may award as many as five of the prestigious $35,000 fellowships.
This year’s finalists are (listed alphabetically by author):
Scott Adams, Menlo Park, CA, “Slingshot”
William Casey, Los Angeles, CA, “Smut”
Frank DeJohn & David Alton Hedges, Santa Ynez, CA, “Legion”
Brian Forrester, Studio City, CA, “Heart of the Monstyr”
Noah Thomas Grossman, Los Angeles, CA, “The Cupid Code”
Patty Jones, Vancouver, BC, Canada, “Joe Banks”
Erin KLG, New York, NY, “Lost Children”
Alan Roth, Suffern, NY, “Jersey City Story”
Stephanie Shannon, Los Angeles, CA, “Queen of Hearts”
Barbara Stepansky, Burbank, CA, “Sugar in My Veins”
The finalists were selected from a record 7,251 scripts submitted for this year’s competition.
The 2013 Academy Nicholl Fellowships will be presented on Thursday, November 7, at a ceremony in Beverly Hills.
The Nicholl competition is open to any individual who has not earned more than $25,000 writing for film or television or received a fellowship prize that includes a “first look” clause, an option, or any other quid pro quo involving the writer’s work. Entry scripts must be feature length and the original work of a sole author or of exactly two collaborative authors. The scripts must have been written originally in English. Adaptations and translated scripts are not eligible. The earnings limit for 2013 is an increase from the $5,000 limit in previous years.
Fellowships are awarded with the understanding that the recipients will each complete a feature-length screenplay during their fellowship year. The Academy acquires no rights to the works of Nicholl fellows and does not involve itself commercially in any way with their completed scripts.
The Academy Nicholl Fellowships Committee, chaired by producer Gale Anne Hurd, is composed of writers Naomi Foner, Daniel Petrie Jr., Tom Rickman, Eric Roth, Dana Stevens and Robin Swicord; actor Eva Marie Saint; cinematographer John Bailey; costume designer Vicki Sanchez; producers Peter Samuelson and Robert W. Shapiro; marketing executive Buffy Shutt; and agent Ronald R. Mardigian.
Since the program's inception in 1985, 128 fellowships have been awarded. Several past Nicholl fellows have recently added to their achievements. Destin Daniel Cretton wrote and directed “Short Term 12” from his Nicholl Fellowship-winning script; the feature has received tremendous critical acclaim this year at screenings at international festivals and in theatrical release. Creighton Rothenberger co-wrote “Olympus Has Fallen,” which opened in theaters this past March. Several fellows currently have projects in post-production: Cecilia Contreras and Amy Garcia wrote “Dear Eleanor”; Anthony Jaswinski wrote “Random”; Karen Moncrieff wrote and directed “The Trials of Cate McCall”; and James Mottern directed “God Only Knows.” Rebecca Sonnenshine is a writer and executive story editor on “The Vampire Diaries” on The CW. Andrew Marlowe is a writer and executive producer, and Terri Edda Miller is a writer and consulting producer, on “Castle” on ABC.
Wednesday, October 9th at 3:00pm
Dick Clark Screening Room
2900 Olympic Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90404
*Parking is underneath the theater building.
RSVP: Ana.Pineda@StrategyPR.net
Release Date: Friday, October 25th at the Landmark Los Angeles Theatre
Writer/Director: Joseph Levy
Run Time: 93 minutes
Distributor: The Film Arcade
Please use the link below to download press materials:
LOS ANGELES PRESS SCREENING INFO:
ADDITIONAL THEATRICAL RELEASE INFO:
OCTOBER 25TH - LANDMARK SUNSHINE (NEW YORK CITY)
OCTOBER 25TH - LANDMARK CENTURY CENTRE (CHICAGO)
THEATER EXPANSION THEREAFTER
Spinning Plates is a documentary about three extraordinary restaurants and the incredible people who make them what they are. A cutting-edge restaurant named the seventh-best in the world whose chef must battle a life-threatening obstacle to pursue his passion. A 150-year-old family
restaurant still standing only because of the unbreakable bond with its community. A fledgling Mexican restaurant whose owners are risking everything just to survive and provide for their young daughter. Their unforgettable stories of family, legacy, passion and survival come together to reveal how meaningful food can be, and the power it has to connect us to one another.
OPEN HEART, THE MOVING STORY OF RWANDAN CHILDREN ON A
LIFE-SAVING JOURNEY TO RECEIVE OPEN HEART SURGERY,
DEBUTS OCT. 14, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO
Heart disease is often associated with an unhealthy lifestyle in the West, but in Sub-Saharan Africa treatable maladies such as strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever that causes heart damage, especially in young children and teenagers. Though it is invasive, dangerous and prohibitively expensive, open heart surgery is almost always the only option to save their lives. OPEN HEART, spotlighting an Italian cardiologist in Northern Sudan as he fights to save young patients who have traveled from Rwanda for this high-risk procedure, debuts MONDAY, OCT. 14 (10:20-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.
Other HBO playdates: Oct. 14 (5:20 a.m.), 17 (4:30 p.m.), 19 (5:30 p.m.), 23 (8:00a.m.) and 27 (1:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Oct. 16 (9:30 p.m.) and Oct. 22 (6:40 a.m.)
OPEN HEART is one of three nominees for this year’s Documentary Short Subject Oscar® debuting back-to-back Oct. 14 on HBO, along with “Mondays at Racine,” which debuts at 9:00 p.m., and “Redemption,” debuting at 9:40 p.m. Other October presentations in the HBO Documentary Films fall series include “Valentine Road” (Oct. 7), “Life According to Sam” (Oct. 21) and “Seduced and Abandoned” (Oct. 28).
Sudan’s Salam Centre for Cardiac Emergency is the only hospital on the entire continent that provides free heart surgery for patients from poverty-stricken regions. Dr. Gino Strada, an Italian war surgeon who believes “the right to receive proper health care is a universal right,” founded the non-governmental organization Emergency, which runs the Salam Center, funded by private donors and the Sudanese Government.
Ranging in age from three to 19, eight children who suffer from rheumatic heart disease are selected by Dr. Emmanuel Rusingiza, Rwanda’s lone public cardiologist, to travel the long distance to the state-of-the-art Salam Center. It may seem like the chance of a lifetime, yet doing so means going under the knife in a foreign place without the comfort of family. The father of Angelique, a six-year-old deemed to be in critical condition, is afraid, but says, “I am ready to accept what happens to her,” a testament to the bravery of the children and parents alike.
Given the critical condition of his patients, Dr. Strada is frequently skeptical about their chances of success, but with the help of his medical team, he presses on, hoping for the best. However, his worries extend beyond the operating room.
While the young Rwandan patients are recovering, Dr. Strada and his team are visited by Sudan’s president, Hassan al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for “crimes against humanity.” When the Sudanese government’s $5 million-per-year commitment to Emergency is in jeopardy, so too is the Salam Centre’s future. In a meeting with President al-Bashir, Dr. Strada vigorously pursues the funding. As the Rwandan children return home to the loving embraces of their families, the dedicated surgeons continue their fight to save lives.
For more information, visit: Facebook: facebook.com/hbodocs; Twitter: @HBODocs #OpenHeart; and openheartfilm.com.
OPEN HEART was produced and directed by Kief Davidson; produced by Cori Shepherd Stern; executive produced by Geralyn Dreyfous, Rick Rosenthal, Nancy Stephens, Eric Dobkin, Sean Mewshaw, Desi Van Til, Cara Mertes, Heidi Lindelof, Damon Lindelof and Abigail Disney; edited by Flavia de Souza and Kief Davidson; director of photography, Zak Mulligan.
THE ACADEMY UNSPOOLS HOLLYWOOD HOME MOVIES
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will kick off a day-long celebration of home movies on Saturday, October 12, at noon, with “Home Movie Day Los Angeles,” a free event that welcomes Angelenos, their families and friends to watch their personal home movies on the big screen. At 7 p.m. the Academy will present “Hollywood Home Movies IV,” which will feature specially selected home movies from Hollywood’s Golden Age, including footage of such luminaries as Lucille Ball, Humphrey Bogart, Billie Burke, Marlene Dietrich, Walt Disney, Mitzi Gaynor, Betty Grable, Cary Grant, Jean Harlow, Shirley Jones and Florenz Ziegfeld.
"AMERICAN PROMISE" - a documentary directed by Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson.
The filmmakers turned the cameras on themselves and their son for 14 years. It's a pretty amazing and timely film.
AMERICAN PROMISE won the special jury prize at this past 2013 Sundance Film Festival in Documentary competition and the Grand Jury Prize at the Full Frame Film Festival
The film will open on October 25 in Los Angeles exclusively at the Laemmle's Music Hall and the Pasadena Playhouse 7.
The film will also open New York on October 18 and other select cities nationwide throughout the fall season.
Your feature and review consideration are greatly appreciated and your consideration for your 2013 Top 10 lists!
AMERICAN PROMISE spans 12 years in the lives of two African American boys (Idris and Seun) and their families from kindergarten to high school graduation. The film provides a rare look into Black middle class life while exploring the common hopes and hurdles of parents navigating their children’s educational journey, as the boys attend the prestigious private Dalton School in Manhattan's Upper East Side.
Turning the camera on to their son and son's best friend for over a decade, directors/parents Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson provide an intimate and personal look at race/identity, education, parenting and the ever growing Black male achievement gap in America. And provide us all with food for thought.
The film took 14 years to make and the filmmakers opened their lives and their son's lives on their journey. This topic of Black male youth achievement and the risks of endangerment of a generation of young men are current topics in the media with a recent 4 part series in the San Francisco Chronicle (http://www.sfchronicle.com/local/bayarea/item/Even-Odds-Part-1-22785.php_) and on CNN - with an upcoming television special and discussion from news anchor Soledad O'Brien.
The theatrical release of AMERICAN PROMISE is right on time to get this dialogue started across the nation.
View the NY TIMES OP DOC: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/24/opinion/an-education-in-equality.html
View Trailer: http://www.americanpromise.org
THE RADA FILM GROUP
PRESENTS
AMERICAN PROMISE
A Film by Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson
OPPORTUNITY IS JUST THE FIRST STEP
OPENING IN THEATERS
October 25, 2013
Los Angeles - Laemmle Music Hall Beverly Hills
Laemmle Pasadena Playhouse 7
Other Select Cities Nationwide Throughout the Year
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY UPON REQUEST
Directors Joe Brewster, Michèle Stephenson
Documentary subjects: Idris Stephenson (based in LA)
THE FILMMAKERS WILL BE IN LOS ANGELES
OCTOBER 23 - 27 FOR INTERVIEWS AND FOR Q/A's AFTER SCREENINGS
AMERICAN PROMISE
Documentary Feature
trt: 135 minutes
Directed by: Joe Brewster, Michèle Stephenson
Distributor: Rada Film Group
LA Theatrical Date: October 25th (Laemmle Music Hall, Laemmle Pasadena Playhouse 7)
SYNOPSIS:
2013 Sundance Film Festival award winning documentary spanning 12 years in the lives of two families, American Promise provides a rare look into black middle class life while exploring the common hopes and hurdles of parents navigating their children’s educational journey. The film begins in 1999, when filmmakers Joe and Michèle turned their cameras on their son and his best friend, as the boys entered kindergarten at the prestigious Dalton School. Over the years, the boys struggle with stereotypes and identity, and ultimately take divergent paths on the road to graduation. Meanwhile, the parents wrestle with doubts and angst over their sons’ future, as they juggle their high expectations with the cultural and social obstacles their sons face. Through the intimate experiences of these two families, the documentary reveals complicated truths about parenting, while challenging commonly held assumptions about educational access in the 21st century. Ultimately, it asks each of us: What is the American Promise?
ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW will be released by Producers Distribution Agency (PDA); it will open theatrically on Oct. 11th.
It will play in LA at the Sundance Cinemas, Pasadena Playhouse, Downtown Independent, and in other select cities nationwide.
ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW, is a bold and ingenious trip into the happiest place on earth. It was one of the most provocative films to premiere at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Drew McWeeny from Hitfix called it a “surrealist treat” adding “it is not possible this film exists.”
SCAPE FROM TOMORROW
Narrative feature directed by Randy Moore
Starring: Roy Abramsohn, Elena Schuber, Katelynn Rodriguez, Annet Mahendru, Danielle Safady
trt: 90 minutes
Released theatrically in select cities across the country beginning October 11th: in over 20 markets, including:
New York (IFC Center),
Los Angeles (Sundance Cinemas, Pasadena Playhouse, Downtown Independent)
Seattle, Atlanta and more!
Will also be available via FilmBuff on VOD day and date with its US theatrical release on all leading On Demand platforms including iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Cable
Movies On Demand, YouTube, XBOX, Sony Playstation, Cinemanow and Vudu.
TRAILER:
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/escapefromtomorrow/
embed code available
POSTER:
https://www.yousendit.com/download/bWJya3NiTER6RThpR01UQw
ABOUT THE FILM:
An epic battle begins when a middle-aged American husband and father of two learns that he has lost his job. Keeping the news from his nagging wife and wound-up children, he packs up the family and embarks on a full day of park hopping amid enchanted castles and fairytale princesses. Soon, the manufactured mirth of the fantasy land around him begins to haunt his subconscious. An idyllic family vacation quickly unravels into a surrealist and darkly comic nightmare of paranoid visions, bizarre encounters, and an obsessive pursuit of a pair of sexy teenage Parisians. Chillingly shot in black and white, ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW dissects the mythology of artificial perfection while subversively attacking our culture's obsession with mass entertainment.
ABOUT PRODUCERS DISTRIBUTION AGENCY:
Producers Distribution Agency was founded in 2010 to offer an alternative theatrical distribution model for unique films in a constantly changing marketplace.
PDA's initial distribution effort, the Banksy street-art documentary EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP, was both a commercial and critical success. The film is one of the top-grossing documentaries of all time, was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Documentary Feature, won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary, and received numerous other awards, including a BAFTA.
PDA's other documentary releases to date are SENNA and BROOKLYN CASTLE. SENNA, based on the life of the Brazilian Formula One driver Ayrton Senna, won the World Cinema Documentary Audience Award at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, as well as two BAFTAs. It is currently available on iTunes, Netflix, DVD and BluRay. BROOKLYN CASTLE was one of the most critically acclaimed films of 2012, receiving rave reviews from The New York Times, The LA Times and Salon, among others.
PDA has also released Emilio Estevez’ THE WAY, in partnership with ARC Entertainment. The film was one of the indie financial success stories of 2011, grossing nearly $4.5MM at the North American box office. THE WAY is currently available on iTunes and other digital platforms as well as DVD and BluRay.
ABOUT FilmBuff:
Founded in 2007, New York-based FilmBuff is the leading distributor of incomparable digital entertainment. The company draws upon its deep relationships within the film industry to curate content that consistently informs, entertains and inspires. FilmBuff designs innovative digital strategies to supply content to all on-demand outlets. Serving as a bridge between filmmakers and audiences, FilmBuff actively engages in conversations with fellow entertainment lovers through its exclusive access, original content and unique voice. Find FilmBuff content on all cable, satellite and telco services, game consoles, online retailers, wireless platforms and hardware manufacturers worldwide. Connect with FilmBuff by visiting www.filmbuff.com and via Twitter @FilmBuff.