Unspool Hollywood

Where My Memory Began – Nominated for Best Short at PAFF 2024

Writer and Director: Priscillia Kounkou Hoveyda

"WHERE MY MEMORY BEGAN", a 9 min experimental short doc that lyrically tells the story of the fallen 400-year-old Cotton tree that saw the capital city of Sierra Leone, West Africa, take on the name "freedom town", today's Freetown, after freed slaves from the US and Canada decided to return to Africa to find freedom some hundreds years ago. In addition to PAFF and although it is not public info, we are also an official selection for Aspen Shortfest and are excited to hear from other prestigious film festivals.

www.priscilliakounkouhoveyda.com/films

Empowering Hearts: 19-Year-Old Refugee Girl Champions Mental Wellness for Refugee Youth Spotlighted in Documentary, Pan African Film Festival World Premiere

Los Angeles, Cali. (Feb. 5, 2024) –

As a child of Rwandan refugees, Divine Mugisha
has been living in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp since she was nine months old. Extreme poverty, hunger, and mental health challenges plague the camp. Despite facing these hardships herself, Divine advocates for education access and mental health services for her refugee community.

As a young advocate, she founded the Supportive Pillar Organization (SPO) to help youth stay in school. During the development of SPO, she discovered that mental health issues were a serious obstacle preventing people in the camp from continuing their education. Divine realizes that she must now leave her lifelong home, friends, and family to pursue her own education so that she can better address the tragic mental health issues at the camp.

The powerful documentary short "A Divine Journey" follows Divine through her
personal journey volunteering, teaching and serving others as she aspires for higher
education and awaits acceptance to university.

The world premiere of “A Divine Journey" will be at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles on Feb. 10, 2024 at Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw.

The story examines how an underserved yet dedicated and determined young woman
can change the world for many. Audiences will witness a passionate young woman
who defies the odds and rises above her hardships as she starts a non-profit cause
and serves her community at Dzaleka refugee camp.

The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) showcases a broad array of Black creative works from the world over, highlighting those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. The festival spotlights over 200 films elevated by black filmmakers with subject matter by African talent, telling stories about Africans and people with African descent.

“We work to produce documentaries that spotlight positive stories from Africa,” said
Ivanovitch Ingabire, Burundi based co-director of ”A Divine Journey.”

"I am honored and proud to bring Divine's inspiring journey to the Pan African Film
Festival," said Annette King, the producer and co-director of the documentary from
Splicer Films. “We see this as an opportunity to uplift an inspiring yet underrepresented story about a young African changemaker solving issues at a grassroots level. By telling Divine’s inspirational story, we aim to foster resilience,
compassion, and empowerment to bring about change in the world around us”

"A Divine Journey" will screen at the upcoming Pan African Film Festival, along with other films including narrative short film "Kingdom On The Coast" and the comedy special "We're Pregnant and Other Lies". All three films are directed by African filmmakers and talent that come from diverse backgrounds who aim to share diverse
stories of underrepresented groups from new perspectives.

Pan African Film Festival(PAFF) is the largest and most prestigious Black film festival in the United States. From 100 million dollar blockbuster premieres to newly emerging Hollywood talent, PAFF showcases a broad array of Black creative works from the world over, highlighting those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. PAFF is a unique opportunity to come together through film and
art to explore new worlds, meet new people and acquire new information and ideas.

For more information, visit: bit.ly/paff-2024

For more information on the the cause in the film, visit Supportive Pillar Organization
(SPO) website: https://www.supportivepillarorganisation.org/

About Splicer Films:
Splicer Films is a Palo Alto based production company focused on telling stories of purpose and impact that inspire audiences to create a better world. https://www.splicerfilms.com/

Additional Films by Splicer Films:

Additional documentaries by Palo Alto based Impact Producer, Annette King are
"Finding Ubuntu" and “Fear Not”.

“Finding Ubuntu” follows the inspiring journey of Maick Mutej, a refugee who emerges as a human rights advocate for thousands of refugees.Maick's story exemplifies resilience, compassion, and the transformative impact of community based organizations.

“Fear Not” explores a passionate grassroots changemaker, Evelyne Keomian, in her
quest to break the cycle of poverty through education for her communities in Côte
d'Ivoire and Silicon Valley.

For more information about Splicer Films event screenings, visit: bit.ly/SFFESTS

“Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land” Screening at the Pan African Film and Arts Festival

Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land is a stirring 2023 documentary produced by NBC personality Al Roker and written and directed by Emmy-nominated Director Eternal Polk. In addition to being selected for PAFF, Director Eternal Polk has also been nominated for a Jury Prize: Best Director – First Feature Documentary.

In the post-enslavement era, Black Americans acquired millions of acres of farmland, 90% of which is no longer in Black hands due to violence, eminent domain, and discrimination. But a lesser-known issue, “Heirs' Property,” has had a devastating effect on Black land ownership. This film spotlights the legacy of Black farming in America and how landowners are now reclaiming their agricultural rights and forging paths to generational wealth.

Screening Dates/Times/Location

- February 8 - 9pm
- February 13 - 3:45pm
- Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw - 3650 Martin Luther King Jr, Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90008

The film recently won the 2024 Jury Prize at Brand Storytelling in Park City, Utah, an officially sanctioned event of the Sundance Film Festival. In addition to this award, Gaining Ground has racked up 18 festival selection laurels and the following awards at prestigious film festivals:

- Best Documentary - FILMTEENTH International Film Festival - 2023
- Best Feature Documentary - Essence Film Festival - 2023
- Best Documentary Feature - DC Black Film Festival - 2023
- Audience Choice Award - DC Black Film Festival - 2023
- Best Documentary - BronzeLens Film Festival - 2023
- Best Feature Film - Detroit Black Film Festival - 2023
- Best Documentary Marcom Award - Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP) 2023
- Best Trailer - Carolina Film Festival - 2023

Gaining Ground - Trailer _ A 2023 Charlotte Black Film Festival Official Selection from Glorified Media on Vimeo.

Documentary from John Deere and Al Roker Entertainment Puts the Spotlight on Land Ownership Challenges Facing Black Farmers

MOLINE, Illinois (June 13, 2023) – Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) and Al Roker Entertainment today announced a new documentary focused on the legacy of Black farming in America and the devastating impact of heirs’ property – property passed to family members by inheritance, usually without a will or proper estate planning. Without a clear title, Black farmers are unable to qualify for government assistance, equipment financing or agricultural programs designed to optimize their land. In 2020, John Deere created the LEAP Coalition in partnership with the National Black Growers Council and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to provide resources for farmers and landowners to resolve heirs’ property issues.

“This film serves as an important platform for Black farmers to delve into their history while also discussing impactful ways to sustain agriculture and places to go for help with legislation and available grants,” said Al Roker, executive producer. “The organizations featured in the film are creating change and it’s one of the reasons our company was so interested in getting involved with this important work.”

Created in partnership with Emmy-nominated director Eternal Polk, the documentary, Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land, addresses how landowners are reclaiming their agricultural rights and their paths to generational wealth. The film will debut at the American Black Film Festival in Miami on June 15, 2023, and appear in screenings across the country this summer.

“Documentaries can offer a lens into history and shed light on a forgotten or untold story. It's more than just a form of storytelling, it's a way to offer new viewpoints on an issue, create lasting dialogue, and drive change,” said Gaining Ground director Eternal Polk. “With Deere’s support, we were honored to help bring this important story to life. This documentary provides resources to those who are dealing with heirs’ property and shows others how they can get involved to support this cause.”

Black land ownership peaked in 1910 at 16 to 19 million acres, which was about 14 percent of total arable land in the United States. A century later, 90 percent of Black-owned land has been lost, and heirs' property has been the leading cause for that decline. The documentary shines a spotlight on the challenges Black farmers and landowners’ must navigate to preserve their land for future generations. The film additionally showcases subject matter experts and practitioners who are actively working to address these issues.

"For farmers, land provides more than a livelihood, it provides a legacy. For far too long, Black farmers have had to deal with often coercive constraints, barriers and systems that result in involuntary loss of land, economic value and wealth. This documentary provides an opportunity for folks to tell their stories, highlight injustice and hopefully serve as a catalyst for concerted action to address this little known but important and pervasive issue” said Marc Howze, Senior Advisor, Office of the Chairman, Deere and Company. "The message of this documentary is clear: We need to do more to help Black farmers and landowners unlock the tremendous value in the land they already own to help us feed, clothe and shelter a growing population while pursuing opportunities to build wealth and provide a legacy for future generations.”

ABOUT THE LEAP COALITION

John Deere created the LEAP Coalition in 2020 in partnership with the National Black Growers Council and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The LEAP Coalition provides legal, educational and other resources to help farmers and landowning families gain clear title of their land. It works to unlock economic value for farmers, while also eliminating systemic barriers to wealth building faced by Black farmers and other historically disadvantaged communities.

To learn more about the LEAP Coalition, to help Black farmers, and provide support to support LEAP coalition partners visit: https://www.deere.com/gainingground.

To learn more about the documentary, visit: https://gaininggroundthefilm.com/.

About John Deere

Deere & Company (www.JohnDeere.com) is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what's possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology-enabled products including John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor and tillage solution, See & Spray™, and E-Power Backhoe are just some of the ways we help meet the world's increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial.

For more information on Deere & Company, visit us at www.deere.com/en/news/.

About Al Roker Entertainment

Formed in 1994, Al Roker Entertainment (ARE) is an industry-leading producer of original, award-winning TV programs and digital content. Led by 14-time Emmy winning TV personality and trusted media authority Al Roker, ARE partners with a creative consortium of producers, directors, writers, agencies, and talent to ideate, produce, activate, and amplify original content globally, using a variety of broadcast, cable, OTT, social, and streaming platforms. ARE works with brands, non-profits, ad agencies, and PR companies to generate and inspire audiences through social impact branded entertainment storytelling.

Los Angeles’s PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL “SHAPING US” Exciting Debut Film by a Lagos-born Filmmaker

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Shot entirely in a single location, SHAPING US is a thought-provoking, much needed film that explores and celebrates the love, beauty, and depth of human relationships, touching upon themes of motherhood, female emancipation, and friendship.

Kambili, a first time filmmaker was born in Lagos and raised in the UK. She channels her passion, diverse life experiences and commitment to truth in her work, and this film is particularly representative of her style and storytelling talent.

Kambili also appears in the film as Ara, one of the lead character - she is also an extremely talented actress.

I would love to know if you might be interested in covering the exciting news that SHAPING US will screen at The Pan African Film Festival? Might you be interested in an interview with Kambili?

The film is set to receive a lot of buzz across the festival circuit.

“Taking Back the Groove” Screening at the Pan African Film and Arts Festival

Director and Producer: Celia Aniskovich
Producer(s): Roddy Lindsay
Executive Producers; : Raekwon, Russell Peters, and Bradley Credit
Cinematographer; Brett Banks, Editor; Atish Mehta, Composer

Taking Back the Groove reintroduces the world to Bronx-born ’80s disco superstar Richie Weeks. A writer, singer, and producer who was compared to Quincy Jones at his height, Richie created quintessential New York Disco and performed in the likes of Studio 54 and Paradise Garage, all while maintaining day jobs as a postal worker and bricklayer. His mega-hit Rock Your World made it to #1 on the dance charts in the ’80s, and has since become a landmark song in the field of disco and house music.

While his ingenious mixes appealed to a kaleidoscope of glitter and lamé-clad partiers, his songs were never truly his own. Like many Black artists throughout American recording history, his talent was strip mined to enrich white-owed record labels.

When disco cooled down, Richie Weeks and many other artists like him faded from view. But now, a new series of previously unheard recordings, from his private trove of 300 vintage tracks, is bringing him fresh recognition.

Taking Back the Groove tells the story of how Richie Weeks clawed back the right to his own music in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and his ongoing fight to restore his legacy and share his music.

The Pan African Film and Arts Festival Anounces 2024 Launch of John Singleton Short Film Competition

The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) announces their call for submissions for their second season of their screenwriting competition, the John Singleton Short Film Competition. Three three filmmakers will be awarded $20,000 each for the production and completion of a live-action narrative short film of their winning screenplays. Submissions open January 6 and close on Feb. 19.

Inspired by the legacy of the Los Angeles-born and legendary filmmaker, John Singleton, PAFF’s short film competition is the result of a partnership between the City of Los Angeles and the Pan African Film Festival.

“We’re committed to fostering inclusivity and amplifying Black voices in film,” said Sherri G. Sneed, the competition’s executive producer. “Our program aims to empower emerging Black Filmmakers, providing not just a grant but resources, support and a platform to share powerful narratives. Together, we will enrich the cinematic landscape with diverse stories that resonate globally.”

John Singleton’s films are known for centering on Black characters with humanizing stories about the often-routine circumstances and individuals in society that were mostly ignored or exploited beyond the point of recognition. The goal of the competition is to encourage and ignite Black filmmakers who desire to continue that commitment in their creative approach by providing them with the financial resources to write, direct, and produce an original and innovative film that echoes the cultural contributions of John Singleton.

“Through this partnership with PAFF, we recognize the enduring impact of one of the world’s greatest filmmakers, John Singleton, and the transformative power of storytelling,” said Councilmember Heather Hutt. “We are empowering the next generation of cinematic visionaries, fostering creativity and cultural expression that enriches our city’s vibrant tapestry. Together, we are ensuring that the heart of filmmaking, right here in Los Angeles, continues to beat with innovation, diversity, and boundless possibility.”

Singleton’s mother Sheila L. Ward, “Again, I support the John Singleton Short Film Competition. I thank everyone involved in creating such a needed platform. My son [John] would be proud.”

“As a first time filmmaker, the John Singleton Short Film Competition allowed me to blossom into a Black woman who learned her strengths as a creative, while also gaining insight about how to become an effective leader in business, added 2021 winner Chelsea Hicks (“Contrban”). “I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to create a beautiful story in honor of John Singleton’s legacy, and continue to be inspired by what he has accomplished to humanize our stories in film.”

“To walk in the path of John Singleton’s creative legacy is an honor,” 2021 winner TJ Ali (“The Lifted”). “It’s competitions like these that change lives, I’m a testament to that.”

“We are both so thrilled for the John Singleton Short Film Competition to continue,” said Jenesis Scott and Brandon Hammond, whose script for “Amaru” was a winner in 2021. “The careers this competition can jumpstart going forward is unlimited. We are honored to be a part of that history and excited for this competition to become one of the most coveted awards in film.”

Under Councilmember Heather Hutt’s leadership, embRACE L.A. is an initiative aimed at unifying Angelenos and empowering communities through a citywide conversation about race and racism, challenging and changing inequities. embRACE L.A.’s multidimensional approach focuses on changing narratives, building relationships and advancing public policy solutions. Through a wide-variety of programs and strategies, the initiative is an unprecedented partnership between government, organizations and residents.

For more information, including how to submit, please visit paff.org/jssfc.

COMPETITION DETAILS

Eligibility:

Genre: These awards are for live-action short narrative films.

Length: Submitted screenplays must be 25 pages or less and completed projects should be no more than 30 minutes (including film credits)

Content:

The thread of the story must focus on the Black Experience in the United States, told through the lens of its Black characters.

The story should also incorporate the theme of illustrating, challenging and/or changing social inequities with topics that may include, but are not limited to race; social, educational, environmental and/or economic justice; mass incarceration and the criminal justice system; police brutality; LGBTQ rights; gentrification; homelessness; immigration; civil rights/human rights; workers’ rights; and gender discrimination.

Who Can Apply:

Screenwriters, Directors and Producers who self-identify as Black and own or have rights for the copyright on the submitted screenplay.

Creative Team:

All of the credited Screenwriter(s), Director(s), and Producer(s) on the submitted project must self-identify as Black.

Additionally, the applicant must be a resident of Los Angeles. All other members of the creative team (e.g., Executive Producer(s), Associate Producer(s), & Crew) can self-identify as any race/ethnicity and can reside anywhere in the world.

Prior Experience:

Screenwriter, Director OR Producer of the submitted project must have completed and been credited as either a writer, director or producer on a previous project (short or feature of any genre and subject, web series, TV , etc.). A sample of previous work (Vimeo link) is required on the application.

Brief Timeline:

Screenplay submissions period is open December 26, 2023 at 12:00am PST. Submissions close February 19, 2024 at 11:59pm PST.

Principal photography must occur between May 2024 and July 2024. Completed films must be delivered to PAFF by December 1, 2024.

Other Requirements:

The credited Screenwriter, Director, and Producer of each winning project must be able to attend a one (1) day Filmmaker Summit in Los Angeles to be held April 2024. Exact date TBD.

Please be advised that attendance at the Filmmaker Summit is mandatory and travel and housing accommodations will not be provided.

Submission Fee: $50.00:

Each submission requires a $50.00 submission fee.

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About the Pan African Film & Arts Festival

Taking place February 6-19, 2024, in Los Angeles, the Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) presents and showcases a broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes of Africans and African-Americans. Since 1992, PAFF has remained dedicated to the promotion of Black stories and images through the exhibition of film, visual art, and other creative expression. Today, PAFF is one of the largest and most prestigious Black film festivals in the U.S. and attracts local, national, and international audiences. In addition, it is an Oscar-qualifying festival for animation and live-action films, and one of the largest Black History Month events in America.

PAFF is sponsored in part by the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell through the Department of Arts and Culture, LA Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, LA Councilmember Curren Price, LA Councilmember Heather Hutt, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, LA Arts COVID-19 Relief Fund with the California Community Foundation, and the LA County COVID-19 Arts Relief Fund administered by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture.

The Pan African Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

For more information, please visit paff.org.

Key West FF 2023 Announces Golden Key honors including Jacqueline Durran (Costume Design) and Sheila Nevins (Documentary Filmmaking)

KEY WEST FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES golden key honors for costume design and documentary

2023 FESTIVAL RUNS NOVEMBER 15-19^TH

Key West, FL - October 5, 2023 — The Key West Film Festival announced today the recipients of its 8th annual Golden Key for Excellence in Costume Design, and 2nd annual Golden Key Award for Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking.

The recipients this year are Academy Award winning Costume Designer Jacqueline Durran and Academy Award winning Executive, Director and Producer, Sheila Nevins.

Jacqueline Durran’s most recent work can be seen in the record-breaking, billion-dollar box office smash Barbie.

As part of the honor, Durran will participate in a discussion of her work, to be moderated by Stephanie Zacharek of Time. Ms. Durran will accept her award in person at the festival, which will feature a pre-recorded presentation by Oscar nominated Costume Designer, Dr. Deborah Nadoolman Landis. Past recipients of the award include Mary Zophres, Mark Bridges, Alexandra Byrne, Arianne Phillips, Jamison-Tanchuck, Paul Tazwell, and Jennifer Johnson.

Sheila Nevins, an industry icon whose recent credits include the Academy Award nominated documentary Ascension (2021) and the current Oscar contender The Eternal Memory, will be joined by award winning director Erin Lee Carr, winner of the inaugural KWFF Documentary Award, for a conversation via satellite. Following the talk, the festival will present the Florida premiere of the short film, The ABC’s of Book Banning, directed by Nevins, which centers on the book banning efforts of a school district in central Florida.

In addition to Barbie, Jacqueline Durran previously collaborated with director Greta Gerwig on Little Women which garnered Durran the Academy and BAFTA Awards for Best Costume Design, as well as Chicago Film Critics Association and Critics’ Choice Award nominations. Durran previously won the Academy and BAFTA Award for Best Costume for Joe Wright’s Anna Karenina.

Durran’s many other collaborations with director Joe Wright comprise most recently Cyrano for which she was nominated for an Academy and Costume Designers Guild Award; Darkest Hour which garnered her both Academy and BAFTA nominations; Pan; The Soloist; Atonement for which she received Academy, BAFTA, Satellite and Costume Designers Guild Award nominations, and Pride and Prejudice for which Durran also received Academy and BAFTA Award nominations.

Sheila Nevins is an Executive Producer for MTV Documentary Films. Sheila is the former president of HBO Documentary Films and Family Programming for Home Box Office. At HBO, she was responsible for overseeing the development and production of more than 1500 programs for HBO, HBO2 and Cinemax.

She has received 32 Primetime Emmy^® Awards, 35 News and Documentary Emmys^® and 42 George Foster Peabody Awards. During her tenure, HBO’s critically acclaimed documentaries won 26 Academy Awards^®. She has been honored with numerous prestigious career achievement awards, including the 2018 Realscreen Legacy Award and the 2017 DOC NYC Lifetime Achievement Award. She is the recipient of the Governors Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and is a NYU Tisch School of the Arts Honoree. Women in Film presented Sheila with a Lucy Award for her outstanding achievements in advancing documentary filmmaking and the National Board of Review presented her with the Humanitarian Award for her contribution to the advancement of social reforms and the promotion of human welfare through film.

Michael Tuckman, Director of Programming of the Key West Film Festival, commented " Jacqueline and Sheila stand at the apex of their fields. Sheila has been a trailblazer in documentary filmmaking for over five decades, constantly pushing and redefining the boundaries of the genre, and kicking down a glass door that opened opportunities for so many women in the field in particular. Jacqueline has given particular emphasis to creating the characters of so many powerful women in film, from Anna Karenina to the March family to Barbie herself, in her many iterations. It’s an absolute honor to recognize and highlight the work of these incredible women.”

Visit kwfilmfest.com for full program information – which will be announced on October 19, along with a schedule of events and travel and lodging details.

ABOUT THE KEY WEST FILM FESTIVAL
Honoring creativity, diversity, sustainability and beauty, the Key West Film Festival is an annual celebration of film and filmmakers set to take place November 15-19, 2023. A diverse, entertaining and artistically rigorous selection of films will be represented through a broad array of categories that offer opportunities for filmmakers, both aspiring and established, to commune and exchange ideas while showing their work to audiences in an historic and artistically vibrant tropical paradise.

For more information, visit our website: https://kwfilmfest.com

Twitter - @keywestfilmfest
Instagram - @keywestfilmfestival
Facebook - Key West Film Festival#kwff #kwff2023

PR CONTACT INFORMATION:

Emma Griffiths (EG PR)/ emma@eg-pr.com

“Tokyo Cowboy” World Premiere as the Centerpiece Gala Screening at Tallgrass Film Festival on October 7th, Starring Arata Iura, Goya Robles, Ayako Fujitani, Robin Weigert, & Jun Kunimura

Starring: Arata Iura, Goya Robles, Ayako Fujitani with Robin Weigert and Jun Kunimura
Director: Marc Marriott
Producer: Brigham Taylor
Writers: Ayako Fujitani and Dave Boyle
Director of Photography: Oscar Ignacio Jimenez
Editor: Yasu Inoue
Story by: Marc Marriott and Brigham
Run time: 1 hour 58 minutes

"Tokyo Cowboy" will officially make it world premiere as the Centerpiece Gala Screening at Tallgrass Film Festival on October 7th, at Heartland International Film Festival on October 9th & 11th, at Montana Film Festival October, Hawaii International Film Festival on October 13th & 16th, and a west coast premiere at Newport Beach Film Festival on October 19th, and Ojai Film Festival on November 6th.

Brash businessman Hideki arrives in Montana having convinced his Tokyo bosses he can turn a profitless US cattle ranch into a premiere-performing asset. Yet when his Hardee’s-burger-loving Japanese Wagyu-beef expert fails him, Hideki is poised to misfire magnificently unless he identifies a missing element that’s key to the transformation… himself.

“Tokyo Cowboy” is a cross-cultural journey in both English and Japanese (with English subtitles), filmed in Japan and Montana and is a rich character driven drama featuring a wealth of talent both in front of the camera and behind it. “Tokyo Cowboy” stars Japan’s own Arata Iura (After Life, Air Doll, and Like Father, Like Son among 50 films), Goya Robles (EPIX Get Shorty, 11:55), Ayako Fujitani (The Last Ship, Man From Reno), with Robin Weigert (HBO Deadwood, Bombshell), and Jun Kunimura (Kill Bill: Vol. 1, The Wailing). The film is directed by Marc Marriott (History Channel’s Ax Men, Discovery Channel’s Roush Racing: Driver); produced by Brigham Taylor (Tron: Legacy, The Jungle Book, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and Tomorrowland), Jeri Rafter (Butcher’s Crossing, Ted K), and Marc Marriott; written by Dave Boyle (House of Ninja’s, Man From Reno), and Ayako Fujitani (The Last Ship, Man From Reno); with music composed by Chad Cannon (American Factory, Mind Over Murder); cinematography by Oscar Ignacio Jimenez (The Killing of Two Lovers, Best Place); and edited by Yasu Inoue (Accept The Call, A-Town Boyz).

“Tokyo Cowboy” Website: https://www.tokyocowboyfilm.com

2023 Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) Films to See: American Outlaws, Commitment To Life, Karen Carpenter: Starving For Perfection and Starring Jerry As Himself

“American Outlaws” (Feature Film True Crime Drama)North American Independent Cinema Sponsored By Panavision Selection (SBIFF)

Director & Writer: Sean McEwen
Starring: Emory Cohen, India Eisley, Sam Strike, Tess Harper, Cory Hardrict, and Treat Williams, joined by Mackenzie Graham, Vanessa Giselle, Lance E. Nichols, Johnny Ray Gibbs, and Troy Metcalf
Running Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

West Coast Premiere:
Friday, February 17th at 8:40pm. Followed by Q&A
Location: Metro 4, Screen 3
618 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

2nd Screening:
Saturday, February 18th at 2:40pm. Followed by Q&A
Location: Metro 4, Screen 3
618 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

“American Outlaws” is based on a true story and the GQ article "The Whole True Story of the Dougherty Gang" by Kathy Dobie. Written & directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sean McEwen (“Braking For Whales,” “Sick Girl”).

While the true story of “American Outlaws” encompasses the proverbial bells and whistles of compelling storytelling -- sex, drugs and rock & roll (the sister, a former stripper now toting an AK47, two brothers with a wild streak and the propensity to live life on the razor’s edge with gunplay, police chases and bank robberies galore) -- at its heart, it’s a story about family. Three siblings, on a cross-country journey, with the strongest desire to find the simplest element… Home. A place to be together. Safe. Happy. Free.

Production Co: Narrator Entertainment, Big Cat Productions and Charlie Baby Productions
Producers: McEwen, Cassidy Lunnen , Alexandre Dauman, John Papsidera
Executive Producer: Takashi Cheng
Co-producers: Danyelle Foord and Jessica Wilde
Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes

“COMMITMENT TO LIFE” (Feature Film Documentary)

DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION Selection (SBIFF)

Director:
Writer:
Interviewees: Jewel Thais-Williams Co-founder, Minority AIDS Project; Phill Wilson HIV/AIDS Activist; Karamo Brown “Queer Eye” Cast Member & HIV/AIDS Educator; Dr. Michael Gottlieb Physician and Former APLA Board Member; Bruce Vilanch Writer and Comedian; Jeffrey Katzenberg Former Chairman, Walt Disney Studios and APLA Board Member; Bill Misenhimer Former APLA Executive Director; Robert Contreras Co-Founder, Bienestar; Torie Osborn Former Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Rev. Steve Pieters Former Field Director of AIDS Ministry, Metropolitan Community Churches; and Bamby Salcedo President, TransLatin Coalitio.

West Coast Premiere:
Saturday, February 11th at 7:40pm followed by Q&A
Location: Fiesta 5 Multiplex, Screen 4
916 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

2^nd Screening: Sunday, February 12^th at 10:20am. Followed by Q&A
Location: Fiesta 5 Multiplex, Screen 4
916 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

Against a rich Hollywood backdrop, “Commitment to Life” documents the true story of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles — and how an intrepid group of people living with HIV/AIDS, doctors, movie stars, studio moguls and activists changed the course of the epidemic.

Director & Editor: Jeffrey Schwarz
Producers: Aimée Flaherty, p.g.a. and Jeffrey Schwarz, p.g.a.
Executive Producer: Ron Sylvester,
Co-Executive Producer: Robert James Wood II
Co-Producer: Taki Oldham
Associate Producer: Michael Stabile
Executive Producer: Craig Thompson
Supervising Producer: Craig Bowers
Composer: Allyson Newman
Cinematographer: Adam Jason Finmann
Running Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

“Karen Carpenter: Starving For Perfection” (Feature Documentary Film)

CINEMATIC OVERTURES/PERFORMING ARTS Selection (SBIFF)

Director Randy Martin
Producer & Writer: Randy Schmidt
Interviewee: Olivia Newton-John, Cynthia Gibb, Suzanne Somers, Kristin Chenoweth, Carnie Wilson, Bob James, Carol Burnett, Belinda Carlisle, Cubby O’Brien, Tom Nolan, Karen Tongson, Cherry Boone O’Neill, Louis Virtel, Randy Schmidt, Barry Morrow, Frankie Chavez, Doug Haverty, Maria Galeazzi, and Mike Curb.

West Coast Premiere:
Friday, February 10^th at 8:20pm. Followed by Q&A
Location: Metro 4, Screen 2
618 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

2^nd Screening: Sunday, February 12^th at 11:20am. Followed by Q&A
Metro 4, Screen 2
618 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

About the Film: Karen Carpenter was the first in a long line of celebrities to suffer from an eating disorder during an era when the vastly misunderstood disease brought shame and public humiliation. For the first time, we hear Karen Carpenter's personal struggle in her own voice through never-before released recordings and through the legendary voices of those who knew her and were inspired by her music. As the #1 American musical act of the 1970s, the Carpenters were on “top of the world," producing a string of pop masterpieces, including "Close to You," "We've Only Just Begun," and "Rainy Days and Mondays." But behind closed doors, Karen's quest for perfection resulted in low self-esteem, a disheartening love life, and a public battle with anorexia nervosa, which ended with her untimely death at the age of only 32. Forty years after her death comes “Karen Carpenter: Starving For Perfection,” a captivating, revealing, and unvarnished documentary providing astounding new insight into the singer's tragically short life and enduring musical legacy.

Production Co.: AMS Pictures
Director Randy Martin
Producer & Writer: Randy Schmidt
Producer & Editor Brad Osborne
Executive Producers Carnie Wilson & Andy Streitfeld
Director of Photography: Osman Tello
Editors Chuck Brown & Paul Ellison
Running Time: 1hour 40 minutes

“Starring Jerry As Himself” (Feature Film Docu-Fiction Hybrid)
REEL LIVES Selection (SBIFF)

Recently having won the Slamdance Film Festival Grand Jury Documentary Feature, Audience Award Documentary & Acting Award for Jerry Hsu with sold out screenings and standing ovations, “Starring Jerry As Himself” is a docu-fiction hybrid that blurs the lines of reality while staying true to Jerry Hsu, the title subject and his unique story. Jerry is the father everyone wants to have as their own, and his journey is one that rivals that of Alice following the white rabbit into another world. Employing a variety of creative filmmaking techniques to capture the world from Jerry’s perspective, the film is a genre bending meta experience as Jerry deals with a wild tale of international intrigue in which he inexplicably finds himself a lynchpin with his family none the wiser...or has he?

West Coast Premiere:
Wednesday, February 15^th at 4:20pm. Followed by Q&A
Location: Fiesta 4 Multiplex, Screen 4
916 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

2^nd Screening:
Friday, February 17^th at 8;30am. Followed by Q&A
Location: Fiesta 4 Multiplex, Screen 4
916 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

Director & Editor Lawrence Chen
Co-Writers Jerry C. Hsu & Lawrence Chen
Producers: Jonathan Hsu & Lawrence Chen
Composer Eric Hölljes
Cinematography by Tinx Chen and Lawrence Chen