Spirit Creek Productions Announces The Completion Of The Short Film "An Exercise From Winter Count"

Spirit Creek Productions and RFA Productions have teamed up to make the short film "An Exercise From Winter Count". The film stars Native American actress Taysha Fuller ("Degrassi:The Next Generation") and is Directed and Produced by Robert Amico. The script is penned by Pamela Keith Ferguson. She is also Executive Producer through her Spirit Creek Productions.

The film is an excerpt from her feature currently in development: "Winter Count". A $20 million dollar feature film currently out to an "A list" director.

"An Exercise From Winter Count" is currently out to film festivals, and will make the rounds at film festivals shortly.

It is a hybrid mix of theatre and film about a young woman's struggle to claim her suppressed Native American identitiy. Triggered by the news reports of the 1973 Wounded Knee Siege at her ancestral home, her past haunts her as she longs to return home to be with her family.

For more information for this and other film projects contact: www.spiritcreekproductions.com

The Seventh Annual 2014 Downbeach Film Festival Atlantic City Cinefest

LGBT FILMS CELEBRATED AT ATLANTIC CITY CINEFEST

Movies screened at Dante Hall Theater, Oct. 24-26 2014

In its six year history, the Atlantic City Cinefest has screened its share of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender movies. For year seven, the Oct. 24 to 26 festival for the first time will devote a significant portion of the event to such films.

"In a city with such a strong LGBT community, we think it's important to have that community well-represented," said festival President, William Sokolic.

It all begins on opening night on Friday at Dante Hall Theater with a short and feature film. Rick, directed by Isaac Angel, is about a young man who still feels guilty for his partner's passing, and depends on his new friend Adam to pull him out of the darkness.

The full length film, Ashley, directed by Dean Matthew Ronalds, tells the story of a distraught teenage girl who develops an online relationship with an older woman. She learns to accept her sexuality. Ronalds, along with producer and co-star Tom Malloy, expect to be in attendance. The evening begins at 7:30 p.m.

"Ashley is an edgy and provocative film that deals with the topic of bullying. The performances are dead on, and the audiences have found themselves rooting for Ashley, the misunderstood heroine," Malloy said.

Dante Hall will host four blocks of LGBT films on Saturday, including three movies directed by Jana "AJ" Mattioli. The segment kicks off at Noon with The Last Straight Man, a feature about a closet gay who throws a bachelor party for his straight best friend and secret crush. After a night of drunken sex, the two men decide to meet in the same hotel room on the same night every year to catch up on their lives and explore their sexuality. Directed by Mark Bessenger.

The first of Mattioli's films, Lady Peacock, begins at 2 p.m. The movie deals with a love triangle in which a drag queen steals the affection of a gay newbie from a nemesis who fights back by becoming a drag queen as well. With Blanche Baker.

The next block kicks off at 4:15 p.m. with the short, Narcissist, directed by Eric Casaccio. The story tells the tale of relationship gone awry when a lover goes from charming to manipulative. Mattioli's searing documentary, Gay Positive, follows. The film tells the story of one man trying to bring to attention the outdated ban on gay men donating blood in the United States.

The final block of LGBT films features The Coffee Shop at 6 p.m. A comedy that started out as a short and expanded, it revolves around The Cup coffee house, a gay hot spot, its workers, its regulars, and the drama it has to deal with every day. There's the owner of the shop, the fabulous Bea Reasonable and the flamboyant boy-crazy gay waiter, Jamie. Stars Baker as well as festival favorite, Keith Collins.

"It's a bonus that we will have Tom Malloy, Dean Ronalds and Jana Mattioli at the festival to celebrate their films," Sokolic said.

Downbeach Film Festival presents the 7th Atlantic City Cinefest, Oct. 24 to 26. Tickets are $8 a block, $25 for an all-day pass, and $40 for an all-festival pass. The latter includes admission to any film, the panel discussion Saturday at 1 p.m. in Dante Hall, the opening night party at 10 p.m. and the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 also at Dante Hall. To order tickets or for more information, visit

http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/page.cfm?siteID=256&pageID=3 or
www.downbeachfilmfestival.org. Call (609) 823-9159 or (609) 347-2162.

DANTE HALL THEATER:
Located in the heart of the historic “Duck Town” neighborhood of Atlantic City, Dante Hall was originally built in 1926 by St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Dante Hall served the community of the neighborhood as a church hall, school gymnasium and community theater until it closed in 1988. In October 2003, Dante Hall reopened after a complete renovation, funded solely by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). In 2011, The Richard Stockton College acquired the venue, allowing it to continue serving Atlantic City and surrounding communities as a home for the performing arts. By providing quality programming and performances to local communities, Stockton College and Dante Hall Theater aim to strengthen New Jersey’s efforts in restoring Atlantic City as a cultural and family destination.

NOYES ARTS GARAGE:
In February 2010, The Noyes Museum of Art formed partnership with the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey to form the Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton College. Through a partnership with the CRDA, in 2013, the Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton College opened the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton College, a unique multi-use arts and retail space at 2200 Fairmount Avenue in Atlantic City.

DEADLY REVISIONS wins “Best Narrative Feature” and “Best Actor” in the L.A. Movie Awards!

Gregory Blair’s slow-burn, psychological thriller DEADLY REVISIONS has been selected to screen at the L.A. Movie Awards Fall 2014 festival, having won the award for “Best Narrative Feature” as well as the Award for “Best Actor” for lead Bill Oberst, Jr.   This is the second and third award for the film which earlier won the EOTM Award for “Best Director of an Indie Horror Film”.

“It’s very exciting, “Blair says.  “We just found out about the awards and the screening and it’s only a little over a week away!”

In the film, Oberst, Jr. plays Grafton Torn—an amnesiac horror film writer for whom hypnotherapy and nightmares reveal terrifying images that just can’t be real.  Or can they?  As scripts write themselves, hatchets appear and disappear and people end up dead, Grafton begins to wonder...as does the audience.

“I’m especially thrilled that Bill is getting noticed for his work in the film," Blair says.  "We spent a lot of time talking about the character and how his journey had to be the audience’s journey…to a point; but that they would begin seeing him as an unreliable narrator and then watch him from an entirely different angle.  It was a tricky thing to pull off and I think Bill did so masterfully.  I’m glad to see others agree.”

DEADLY REVISIONS will screen in Block 5 of the L.A. Movie Awards in Hollywood, CA on September 27th 2014 at the Actors Company Theater   (916a N. Formosa Ave., Hollywood CA 90046). Award presentations and a Q & A session will follow  the screening.  Tickets are available here:  http://www.thelamovieawards.com/Tickets.html

So get tickets to the screening of your choice and come see what all the screaming is about!  :)

To see more, incuding a trailer, visit the official site:
http://www.DeadlyRevisionsMovie.com.

To get tickets to other screenings:
NYC Indie Film Festival: Oct 17, 8:30 (https://www.nycindiefilmfest.com/film/deadly-revisions)
FANtastic Horror Film Festival: Oct 31, 8:00 (http://www.fhffsd.org/tickets.html)
Twisted Tails Film Festival: TBD (Dec 6-8)

Julianne Michelle and Steven Bauer star in AWAKENED, now on VOD. AWAKENED Announces National Contes

Award winning stars Julianne Michelle and Steven Bauer are leads in the must- see feature filmAwakened now on VOD... Verizon FIOS, Cox, ITunes and just about all cable platforms in your own home. Steven Bauer (Scarface) also stars at present on the TV hit "Ray Donovan". Julianne Michelle is one of today's most talented and beautiful movie stars. She stars in seven upcoming motion pictures including a Trilogy in 2015 and 2016. She is also lauching her magnificent jewelry line in December 2014.

Awakened is a supernatural thriller that gives hope to people of all backgrounds and faiths from everywhere and Awakened makes everyone think about life, love and help from beyond the grave.

NATIONAL CONTEST: After you enjoy this remarkable and unique movie, let us know how you feel about life after death and the message of Awakened. YOU DECIDE and let us know. You will then be eligible for a special gift and a VIP invitation to a red carpet event to meet and speak with a star of Awakened. Phone us at (917) 604-4893 email at joycelyn.engle@gmail.com and leave a full message including your name and phone number or email contact. YOU MAY WIN our drawing in Nov. 2014

Awakened has an award winning cast including Julianne Michelle, Steven Bauer, John Savage, Edward Furlong, Sally Kirkland OSCAR nominee, Stelio Savante... Bryan Dechart, Sean Stone, Erin Gerasovich and Kiva Dawson  (see full cast on IMDB.com)

Join the National Contest for Awakened. We hope you win in November!

Awakened is a Supernova Media production.

Carvell Joins Arrowstorm's "The Christmas Dragon" as Executive Producer

Flashpoint's own award-winning producer and production advisor Kevin Carvell has joined Arrowstorm Entertainment's all-new holiday family fantasy film 'The Christmas Dragon' as an executive producer.

"We're excited to be in business together," said an Arrowstorm spokesperson.

In this exciting adventure from director John Lyde, a young orphan girl, Ayden, receives a magic crystal from a dying elf, with a warning that the North has lost its magic, and that she alone can save Christmas. Ayden and her orphan friends begin a perilous journey and must escape dragons, goblins, bandits, ogres, and other fantastic creatures as they team up with Airk, the wayward son of Father Christmas, to return a stolen Christmas orb to the North. When Santa's magic cannot overpower the growing Snarl (an evil forest with tentacle branches), Ayden and Airk must deliver Christmas on a sleigh pulled by a young dragon, fulfilling Christmas wishes for children to restore Santa's magic and save Christmas.

"After having recently served as an associate producer on Arrowstorm's upcoming Kevin Sorbo sci-fi actioner 'Survivor', I was so blown away by this amazing independent production company that I could not let 'The Christmas Dragon' get by me," said Carvell. "For a child, there's something very magical and so fondly memorable about those holiday specials and films when you're growing up. And like this one, I've been drawn to those projects time and time again. I know this will be one of those that parents and their children will watch year after year."

'The Christmas Dragon' stars Bailee Johnson ('127 Hours'), Jake Stormoen ('Mythica'), Melanie Stone ('Survivor'), Ruby Jones, Paris Warner, David De Villiers, Jacob Buster, Adam Johnson ('Veronica Mars', 'Dexter'), and Eve Mauro ('The Shadow Cabal'). Written by Shylah Addante. Executive Produced by Kynan Griffin and Jason Faller. Music by James Schafer.

When Kickstarter supporters order the film on Blu-ray, DVD, or Digital Download by September 24th, they're guaranteed to receive it in time for the holidays this year -- one full year before it's released to the rest of the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N50pPqlCcIo

MOVIE SPOTLIGHT - NEW COMEDY "THE JERSEY DEVIL" HITS IT OUT OF THE BALLPARK!

LAUGH WITH THE SINNERS!

New comedy film has a "HELL" of a lot of laughs.

The Jersey Devil is a new comedy film that has Lucifer losing his power and a new, up and coming Devil taking over and moving hell to…New Jersey.

The film had its World Premiere last night at the historic Loews landmark theater in Jersey City, NJ and it was an overwhelming success. The story is a great concept that pokes fun at Jersey’s reputation as an industrial abyss. The cast of characters are a motley crew of misfits that include Judas as Lucifer’s right hand man, Eve now in a loveless marriage to Lucifer and a Cool Hand Luke quoting God who is more concerned with his tee time than restoring the balance of the universe.

Joseph and Billy Pepitone wrote the screenplay that is original, funny and refreshing. They went all out with a barrage of great jokes and scenes that keep things light and fun. There are several stand-out performances including Keith Collins as James Burnett the new Devil, Edvin Ortega as Richard his Devil’s Advocate, Jack Mulcahy as Lucifer, Stephen Fontana as Judas and the stunning Penelope Lagos as Tori the hopeless romantic looking for a way out of Hell.

Highlights include Collins and Mulcahy (from Porky’s fame) going mano-a-mano in several scenes where they both elevated their games. The younger Collins even gets the best of the veteran actor on a few occasions. A poured-in her-dress Lagos mimicking a flaky game show hostess as she introduces new locations for Hell is sexy and hilarious at the same time. Fontana is best when he is reacting to Lucifer’s pathetic plans to win back Hell and Ortega is the wide-eyed lackey who doesn’t know when to keep quiet. Newcomer Michael Billy is insanely funny as Hell’s creepy, sexually confused pastor.

Chris Mulkey (Boardwalk Empire, Captain Phillips) adds a star presence to the proceedings as God and David Chokachi (Baywatch) is fun as the stressed out, zombie hunting sheriff.

There are very few complaints I have with The Jersey Devil. One, however, is a recurring gag with a foreign, ornery bartender that is a great premise, but falls a little flat because of the amateurish actor named Jarl (that’s right, one name). His delivery is forced and seems to throw off the otherwise precision timing of the actors that makes this film great. Mulcahy and Fontana work overtime, carrying one scene with him. This would have worked better with a real actor in the role.

Also directed by Joseph Pepitone, The Jersey Devil is a laugh out loud comedy that has fun with religion, politics, pop culture as well as itself. This one should not be looked over. I strongly give it 4 out of 4 stars and believe it has all the makings of a major independent comedy hit.

Big Bear Lake International Film Festival To Honor Heitor Pereira For Achievement In Film Music

Award-winning film composer/musician Heitor Pereira will receive the “Achievement in Film Music Award” for career achievement at The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival (BBLIFF).  The honoree ceremony will be held on the opening night of the festival, Friday, September 19 at 7:30PM/PST at the Performing Arts Center in Big Bear Lake, California. Presented by the City of Big Bear Lake and hosted by Northwoods Resort, the 15^thedition of the festival runs from September 19-21. For tickets, please visit www.bigbearfilmfestival.com or the Big Bear Visitor's Bureau www.bigbear.com (http://www.bigbear.com/).

Heitor Pereira became known to millions early in his career as the guitarist for Simply Red, the British rock group which has sold over 50 million albums worldwide. Pereira discovered film composing when he was brought in as a songwriter on producer James L. Brooks As Good As It Gets. Impressed with Pereira’s melodies and arrangements, Brooks brought Pereira in on his next film, Riding in Cars with Boys, which Pereira co-composed. Pereira’s composer credits include Despicable Me 1 & 2, The Smurfs, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, A Little Bit of Heaven, Curious George 1 & 2 and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. Pereira has arranged or played with artists including Sergio Mendes, Jack Johnson, Bryan Adams, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Shania Twain, Seal, and Nelly Furtado. Pereira received the 2005 Grammy for “Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist” for his collaboration with Sting and Chris Bottie. Pereira is currently scoring The Minions, the follow-up to the Oscar®nominatedDespicable Me 2.

Director Lucy Walker will also be honored with the “Achievement in Directing Award” for career achievement at The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival (BBLIFF).

About Big Bear Lake International Film Festival

Big Bear Lake International Film Festival (BBLIFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to showcasing the emerging talent of screenwriters and independent filmmakers within the idyllic setting of Big Bear Lake. Our goal is to nurture a festival that is highly creative, filmmaker friendly and that provides an educational experience for those people interested in all aspects of the film industry. Proximity of BBLIFF to Los Angeles and Hollywood allows opportunities for professionals in the film, television, and entertainment industries to access up-and-coming independent work in a relaxed and idyllic setting.

Actor Robert Lawrenson Makes Directorial Debut

THE MAN AND THE HOLE IN THE ROOF is Robert Lawrenson’s directorial debut. This short is an intriguing journey into the subconscious mind of Micha, a successful, yet psychologically disturbed man on the edge of madness and considering a drastic decision. Micha meets a charismatic and insightful bartender (played by Ryan Robbins) who begins to unravel Micha's complex pain and help him find the courage to continue his life.

Cast & Crew

Directed by; Robert Lawrenson

Written by: Ryan Fehr

Run time: 9.35 mins

Produced for Vancouver Film School, the film was shot entirely in one 8-hour day and a 3-hour night shoot.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:

Robert is an ‘actor’s director’, having built a rich resume of recurring and guest starring roles in film and television but with the unique advantage of also having 20 years experience in production and post production of TV and film. With his vast experience of film editing, he has collaborated with many different directors in post -production to successfully bring a story alive to an audience, across multiple genres, including several major network primetime drama series.

His credits in broadcast television and film include his work as an actor, voice artist, producer, story editor and film editor and it is with this accumulation of creativity, along with two decades of dedication to the industry, that the natural progression to explore his talents further as director.

After graduation, he gained his first experience in London. This was followed by work as an editor at network broadcaster ITV and he was part of the team awarded a BAFTA for the TV show Emmerdale. Robert also edited and starred in the popular drama, Heartbeat, the UK’s number one rated show averaging 19 million viewers and which was sold globally. He was soon cast in the British TV series, and “institution” - Coronation Street. After recurring on Coronation Street for 4 years, he and his family immigrated to Vancouver, BC, Canada. In the few short years he has been in Canada, he has received nominations for both the Leo Awards and the coveted Gemini Awards.

Alongside work as an actor recurring in the SyFy series Sanctuary for 3 seasons, and also US productions such as Underworld Awakening and JJ Abraham’s Alcatraz, he was a consulting producer and supervising editor on the Canadian franchise of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Vancouver. His most recent editing credit was on the big budget reality/drama ABC TV series The Quest.

During season 4 of Sanctuary, Robert shadowed producers/directors Martin Wood and Damian Kindler, and has been also mentored by close friend and colleague, Peter DeLuise. Robert directed and produced two short films in 2014 for Vancouver Film School screenwriting students: The Man and the Hole in the Roof starring Ryan Robbins, and Second Dates starring Sharon Taylor.

The Man and the Hole in the Roof: http://vimeo.com/lawrenson/holeintheroof

Bricks in Motion: The Documentary Launches on Kickstarter

After decades of stop motion animation filmmaking by LEGO® fans, people who craft films with bricks will soon have the first feature length documentary about their medium. Bricks in Motion is a non-fiction film about the diverse world of individuals involved in the art of making films with LEGO® toys. It will explore the personalities behind the hobby in an insightful, character driven way.

The documentary will feature interviews with people from a wide variety of backgrounds: a bicycle messenger in Seattle, a mother of two in California, a film student in Ontario, YouTube animators Forrest Whaley and Sean Willets, and many others. Through this, the film will explore what led these people from many walks of life to make films with LEGO®, what makes them unique, and what unifies them as a community.

The Kickstarter Campaign for Bricks in Motion is intended to raise funds for theproduction of this documentary. Rewards for supporters include custom sets,soundtracks, copies of the finished documentary, and an all-new collection of the finest LEGO® stop motion films with exclusive director commentaries.

To find out more about the documentary and the campaign, visit us at:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1497819042/bricks-in...

Screenwriter Celena Cipriaso’s New Screenplay SOBER CITY Performed as Part of Film Lab Workshop

The Asian American Film Lab (“Film Lab”) hosted a performance reading and workshop of Celena Cipriaso's new screenplay SOBER CITY on Thursday night.  Members of the Film Lab’s Actor Directory performed a reading of the piece, in which a group of diverse friends struggle to balance the thin line between drunkenness and sobriety in New York City, one of the biggest drinking cities in the world!  The cast included (in alphabetical order by actor name):

Kitty/Alana - B Bastian (http://www.asianamericanfilmlab.com/actor-directory1/)

Flex/Handsome Actor/Doctor - Erwin Falcon (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2251748/)

Stage Directions/Marge/PR Lady/Bertha King/Nurse - Jennifer Betit Yen (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2299662/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)

Liam - Jeremy Kuykendall (http://www.asianamericanfilmlab.com/actor-directory1/)

Big Daddy/Actor/Father McFadden/Max/White Guy - John Newsome (http://www.asianamericanfilmlab.com/actor-directory1/)

Alex - John Wu

Martin/Danny - Kevin Kreider (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4375303/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)

Christa - Mallory Wu (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4321380/)

Davey - RG Lacoadola (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3567651/)

For more information on the actors:  http://www.asianamericanfilmlab.com/actor-directory1/

For photos of the event:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201566935054892.1073741858.1823087136&type=1&l=c9e0414bba

The event took place in Manhattan and was open to the public. Film Lab’s next event, an Industry Spotlight program, will feature a panel on the Magic of Post Production.  Reservations can be made on the Film Lab website:  www.asianamericanfilmlab.com.

About the Asian American Film Lab

The Asian American Film Lab (Film Lab) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the promotion and support of gender and ethnic diversity in film and television through free monthly educational and outreach programming, the acclaimed annual 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition, and the brand new production arm, AAFL TV, founded by Jennifer Betit Yen (Film Lab's new tv series, FILM LAB PRESENTS, airs Wednesday nights at 10pm EST on NYCLife).  The Film Lab’s membership has grown to comprise professionals, artists and other talented individuals who all share the common goal of creating great film and promoting all filmmakers of color, with a focus on Asian Americans, and the visibility of their stories and characters in film and television.  The Film Lab is run under the direction of President Jennifer Betit Yen.  The Unfinished Works program is coordinated through Lorna Nowve.  Acting and Advisory Board members include Aaron Woolfolk, Edwin Wong, Daryl King, Aurora Betson, and James Kyson.

The Asian American Film Lab is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Directory membership and all contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

www.asianamericanfilmlab.org / www.film-lab.org

About "Unfinished Works"

The Film Lab's Unfinished Works program constitutes its longest running program, ongoing for 15 consecutive years.  Unfinished Works allows writers to workshop, in a structured and constructive environment, unfinished plays, screenplays and television scripts.  It also serves as a bridge between actors, writers and directors of color, particularly Asian Americans.  To submit your screenplay for a free reading and workshop, please email Lorna Nowve at UnfinishedWorks@film-lab.org with your name, email, telephone number, logline, synopsis, and a brief statement of why you feel Unfinished Works will be useful to developing and improving your screenplay.  Screenwriters are also encouraged to become a part of the AAFL TV production arm.  More information is online at www.film-lab.org.

About Celena Cipriaso

Celena Cipriaso has written for ABC's All My Children and is currently co-writing with director/producer Diane Paragas of Civilian Studios the screenplays, Frozen, a story about the surrogacy industry in India, and Yellow Rose, which examines the issue of immigration in America. Her pilot "Evolved" was a Quarter-Finalist in the Creative World Awards, and her spec of The Walking Dead, "Little Children" was a Semi-Finalist in the Creative World Awards and also in the top 10% of the Austin Film Festival TV competition. As a playwright, she was member of Peeling, a Pan Asian autobiographical theater group, which produced her theater work throughout various venues in New York City and the Northeast. Outside of Peeling, her short plays "Salesgirl" and "Homecoming" were produced by Despina Theater Company, and "Lola" was licensed for performance by Inner Voices Social Issues Theater at the University of Illinois. Her most recent production will be of her shorts "Language Lessons" at Bindlestiff Studios in San Francisco and “Nanay” by ASquared Theatre Workshop in Chicago in 2014. She's also freelance journalist who has written for CNN.com, Bitch, Draft, Arts America, Intel, Film Buff, and TheRoot.com.

Contact

Asian American Film Lab

Unfinished Works Coordinator Lorna Nowve

UnfinishedWorks@film-lab.org

www.asianamericanfilmlab.org

Contact

Independent Filmmaker And Author Launches Another Gripping Fantasy: The Wolves Of Haltiala

 Robert's book, “The Wolves of Haltiala” is a fantasy novel that follows the heroic journey and love story of Halder Halvfin and Unni Brandrsdottr, as they and their kin, the Svean people of Uppsala, adapt and cope within their new surroundings in the southern reaches of Finland.

The Wolves of Haltiala is available for preorder on Amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N4BKSZE

For more information, contact Robert Seppälä at 1-248-991-2779 or visit http://robertsseppala.com

“Robert Seppälä does a brilliant job at creating tension and suspense that has you clamoring to read more.” - LA HILDEN Best selling author of A Tudor Displaced (Destiny Series Book 3)

As a generation has already passed since the first Svean migration to Finland, complications arise when a young prince, Halder Halvfin finds himself in love with a young maiden during the Midsummer bonfire, Unni Brandrsdottr, whom has already been betrothed to the Tavastian prince, Sampsa of Hämeenlinna. Unni soon finds herself torn between the man she loves and her father, Brandr, King of the Eastfold. Determined to change her father's mind, all of Unni's attempts to reach him are beset by her elder sister, Båra.

Consumed by her jealousy and lust for power, Båra, leads her younger sister, Unni, into a dark forest and unto a hidden pool to commit the ultimate betrayal and seal her allegiance with the deadliest foe of the Tavastians and Sveans alike, the Mistress of Pohjola and Death Goddess, Loviatar, in return for regency over the Eastfold, Hämeenlinna, and the ancient forest of Haltiala. And as Brandr sends his bard, Eilifr, to accompany Unni home to her own wedding celebration, he finds the forest and all of its creatures within silenced, portending to some evil.

In Björkby, the day has come that Halder has both rued and longed for, to see the young maiden he loves once more, only to be wed to another. And as he and his father, Arnbjorn, king of Björkby, along with the great smithy of the north, Seppo Ilmarinen, row north up the Vanda å to attend Unni's wedding celebration in the Eastfold, they find only ruin and a ravenous evil no man has ever encountered before.

Contact

Film Lab to Host Production Magic Event Featuring Steven De Castro and Miriam Shamelashvili

Industry Spotlight, the Asian American Film Lab program that  links up and coming filmmakers with industry professionals in a series of panels and workshops, will begin its Fall 2014 programming series on Thursday, September 18, with an interactive examination of  the challenges of sound recording/mixing, editing, cinematography, lighting, location, and continuity in the making of independent film and video.  The panel will take place at 7pm in Manhattan and will be open to the public.

The panel will feature: Steven De Castro:Director and Producer of Fred Ho's Last Year: A Documentary, a featured selection of the 37th Asian American International Film Festival and Miriam Shamelashvili: TV Promo Writer, Director, Producer, Editor and Pre Editor who has worked on projects for the BBC, Lifetime, Fuse.tv, and Oxygen among others. The pair will open the discussion with illustrative clips from their work before engaging the audience in a free flowing question and answer based workshop.

Panel moderator and Industry Spotlight Coordinator DJ McDonald said, “In listening to the ‘war stories’ of our award winners and industry judges at our 72-Hour Shootout Screening and Awards event in July, during the Asian American International Film Festival, I kept hearing how critical the 99% invisible parts of filmmaking had become to the ultimate success of the narratives. Steven’s ability to deliver, within an hour, the poignant tale of a jazz innovator and political activist’s heroic final year facing terminal cancer, and Miriam’s skill in engaging an audience within a 15 to 30 second window provide a kind of reverse prism through which the many technical challenges refracting the diverse colors of human experience and expression can be focused.”

The event will be free and open to the public, thanks to AAARI-CUNY.  To reserve a spot, please visithttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/production-magic-from-prelim...

About Asian American Film Lab and Industry Spotlight

The Asian American Film Lab (Film Lab) began in 1998 as collaborative of New York-based filmmakers whose goals were to hone their craft and to share their knowledge, experience and resources. The membership has grown to comprise professionals, artists and other talented individuals who all share the common goal of creating great film and promoting diverse stories and filmmakers and positively impacting the visibility of minority and female stories and characters in film and television.

The Film Lab’s programming arm, AAFL TV, releases online content as well as the television series, Film Lab Presents, hosted by Jennifer Betit Yen, which airs on NYCMedia and CrossingsTV and provides bold, innovative and diverse entertainment to people of all colors.

The Film Lab's Industry Spotlight program features industry professionals who wish to promote and encourage diversity in film and television and includes filmmaking how-to seminars on everything from cinematography to sound, casting workshops, film screenings, and more. The Film Lab is run under the direction of President and actor Jennifer Betit Yen. Board members include screenwriter and director, Aaron Woolfolk, actor James Kyson, and business man Edwin Wong, among others.  Industry professionals interested in providing a seminar, class, screening, or other Industry Spotlight should contact the program coordinator, DJ McDonald, at IndustrySpotlight@film-lab.org.

The Film Lab’s programming also includes the famous annual 72 Hour Film Shootout. This annual competition has inspired hundreds of filmmakers by helping nascent talent take brave steps towards a filmmaking career.

The Asian American Film Lab is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Membership and all contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

http://www.asianamericanfilmlab.com

Black Label Filmworks Expands Slate

Black Label Filmworks Expands Slate: Adds “Behind Rebel Lines” by Seymour Reit

Hollywood, Calif., August 27, 2014– Black Label Filmworks expanded its project slate with the intriguing story of Emma Edmounds, the Civil War Spy.  The production company won the rights to the story from the estate of the late, best-selling author Seymour Reit, best known for creating Caspar the Friendly Ghost.

“Seymour Reit was a prolific storyteller with more than 80 children’s books alone,” said producer Charin R Barone of Black Label Filmworks. “We really want to see the story he so eloquently tells about Emma make it to the screen and we are positive the viewing public will find her as fascinating as we do.”

Edmounds grew up in unsettling times. The Civil War had erupted and President Lincoln made an impassioned plea for volunteers. This plucky little lady cropped her hair, donned a man’s wardrobe and enlisted in the Union Army. Her exploits included becoming a slave, a peddler and a washerwoman. Cunning and a master of disguise, she risked her life to answer Lincoln’s call.

About Black Label Filmworks

Black Label Filmworks,   www.blacklabelfilmworks.net   is dedicated to telling thought provoking stories that impact viewers lives using film, television and other digital platforms. BLF leadership share a history in visual and audio entertainment. Charin Barone worked with Norman Lear at Embassy Communications, spent time working with Columbia’s Television Comedy Development Dept. and rejoined Lear’s troupe at Act III. She also worked with Disney Studios and Turner Pictures. Leslie LaPage has a rich history in film, TV, music, videos, commercials and theatrical productions. She has worked with Black Entertainment Television (BET), HBO, Lifetime, MTV, Paramount and Nickelodeon.

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New Documentary Shares Stories of Holocaust Survivors

 Growth Media Productions announces the release of the documentary "Voices of the Holocaust," to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the invasion of Poland. The film features interviews with nine Holocaust survivors recounting their stories of heartbreak and hope through the dark days of World War II.

"To the current generation, World War II is ancient history," says executive producer Darla Gaige. "It is something that they read about in their history books, but isn't real to them. Seeing these individuals, hearing their stories, changes that. It takes it out of the realm of abstract and makes it real and personal to them.  And with the trend of denial of the Holocaust, and the dwindling number of Holocaust survivors, it is important that these stories be remembered."

"This was one of the hardest films I have ever done, but also one of the most fulfilling," says Clint Gaige, executive producer of the documentary.  "I look at my kids, and can't imagine what it must have been like to have your childhood marked by one of the most tragic events in human history. And while their stories are heartbreaking, I have never seen a more inspiring group of individuals."

Voices of the Holocaust is currently airing on numerous public television stations across the country, and Growth Media has launched an Indiegogo campaign to help raise funds to provide DVDs of the documentary to schools and libraries at no cost.  You can help share these stories with students across the country by visiting https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/voices-of-the-holocaus...

Voices of the Holocaust will be available on Amazon.com in September.  A preview of the documentary can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqtjwHzbinU