Run & Shoot Filmworks, Inc., Announces Competition Finalists for Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival, August 10-13
HBO to award cash prizes to indie filmmakers during fourth annual event.
New York, NY (PRWEB) July 27, 2006
Run & Shoot Filmworks, Inc., announced thirteen finalists selected to compete in the film competition during the Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival, August 10-13, in Vineyard Haven, MA. Over the past three years, the film competition has given scores of promising filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work before a diverse audience. HBO, the official award sponsor, will present cash prizes to the top winners in three categories: Best Short ($1,000), Best Documentary ($500) and Best Feature ($500). The event takes place Saturday, August 12th at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs from 9:00pm to 11:00pm.
“As a first-time sponsor of the MVAAFF, we’re very pleased to be a part of the festival’s events honoring independent and established filmmakers,” said Lucinda Martinez-Desir, vice president of market development at HBO. “We applaud the festival’s efforts and look forward to seeing the ‘best of the best’.”
This year’s finalists are:
SHORTS
A Change is Gonna Come, directed by Valerie Kemp. A girl’s dreams are crushed in a 1960s small town when she learns not all decisions are simple. Which will she follow—her heart or her head?
Among Thieves, directed by Oscar Daniels. A complex relationship develops between a criminal fleeing police and an elderly woman he holds hostage in her home.
Results, written and directed by Eddie Boles. How well do you know the one you love? Is love enough to overcome the ultimate betrayal? Chris and Cassy grapple with these questions, all in the course of one night.
Sticks & Stones, directed by Rehema Trimiew. Based on the filmmakers’ experience, this film addresses the psychological repercussions of racial and class disparity in the American public educational system.
Testify, directed by Darius Clark Monroe. After Sunday’s service, Pastor Biggs is informed by a familiar, yet unannounced visitor, that it is imperative he go to visit his son. The Pastor and son meet and a new revelation is revealed.
DOCUMENTARIES
Beyond the Steps-Alvin Ailey, directed by Phil Bertelsen. Follows Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater during a pivotal time in its history as the company ventures abroad while establishing new roots in New York City. The documentary expresses the past, present and future of the company.
Black Theater Today: 2005, directed by Thea-Marie Perkins. An award-winning documentary filmed in Los Angeles which features candid interviews with Keith David, Tonya Pinkins, Anika Noni Rose, Glynn Turman, Dawnn Lewis, Viola Davis, Harry Lennix, Ella Joyce, Art Evans, Virginia Capers and Russell Hornsby.
The Hip Hop Project, directed by Matt Ruskin and Scott Rosenberg. A dynamic and inspirational story of a group of New York City teenagers who transform their life stories into powerful works of art using hip hop as a vehicle for self-development and personal discovery.
The Last Colored Caddy, directed by Jada Renee. A documentary which examines the history and legacy of the African-American golf caddy in relationship to the advancement of golf as a preeminent recreational and professional sport in the United States.
The Twelve Disciples of Mandela, directed by Thomas Allen Harris. This tribute to the filmmaker’s late stepfather, B. Pule Leinaeng (“Lee”), weaves a riveting exploration of family, exile and home in telling the story of foot soldiers in the fight for a democratic South Africa.
FEATURES
Johnny Was, directed by Benjamin Katz. Trying to escape a violent past in Ireland, Johnny hides out in Brixton, London. He faces being dragged back into violence and away from his new love when his former comrade escapes from prison. Johnny's actions ignite a simmering war with his drug-dealing neighbor and former boss Jimmy.
The Situation, produced and directed by Johnathan Tucker. What happens when Curtis’ lover of two years wants to end their relationship, but he doesn’t want to? The tables are turned and the climactic ending leaves Curtis, a married man, asking how he got himself into this situation.
What My Mother Told Me, directed by Frances-Anne Solomon. A dramatic journey towards self-discovery which focuses on Jesse, a young woman from England, who goes to Trinidad to bury her father and rediscovers her estranged mother in the process.
“We received an overwhelming number of submissions from around the world,” said Stephanie Tavares-Rance, MVAAFF executive director. “Our distinguished panel of judges had the difficult task of choosing only a handful for the competition. We are extremely excited about their picks and look forward to sharing them with festival attendees next month.”
MVAAFF sponsors include HBO, Essence (media sponsor), The Bay State Banner (media sponsor), Mansion House (host hotel), Kodak, WBLS (107.5), Edgartown National Bank, Stop & Shop, ARRI/CSC, Crescendo and Indietalk. com
All media-related inquiries should be directed to Melissa Harris at (908) 412-1745. For general festival information or to purchase tickets, please visit our Web site at www. mvaaff. com or call 877-682-2334
About HBO
Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., providing two 24-hour premium television services, HBO and Cinemax. Together, both networks reach approximately 40 million subscribers in the United States via cable and satellite delivery. Home Box Office's international joint ventures bring HBO branded services to more than 50 countries around the globe.
About ESSENCE
With more than seven million readers, ESSENCE is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women. Published by Essence Communications Inc., it is the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every area of African-American women’s lives. For over 35 years, ESSENCE has celebrated personal achievement, chronicled social movement, documented struggles, showcased beauty, defined and set trends and illustrated the incredible journey of a resilient and splendid race.
About Run & Shoot Filmworks, Inc.
Run & Shoot Filmworks, Inc., is a New York-based film production company credited with creating outstanding visual work for several clients including HBO, Martell Cognac, Reebok, NBC Sports and Footlocker. For the past three years, Run & Shoot Filmworks has produced the MVAAFF with the primary goal of providing a positive environment where filmmakers can share their thoughts, ideas and aspirations. The film festival serves as a vehicle through which Run & Shoot Filmworks can support the efforts of emerging and established African-American screenwriters, as well as aid in their artistic development.
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