LOS ANGELES, May 18 /PRNewswire/ — Changing the world. While all the glitz and glamour is happening in the South of France for the Cannes Film Festival, in Los Angeles a small film festival is setting out to have four days full of meaningful feature films and eye-opening documentaries: minus the yachts, starlets and fanfare. The stars of The Awareness Festival are the stories of strength and courage, revealing tales of corporate greed and our shrinking resources, consequences of today’s technology and trials of the body, mind and soul.

The Awareness Festival, focusing on films that make a statement, is being held in 3 venues around Los Angeles, May 20-23rd 2010. There are over 90 films playing from around the world. There are free screenings of “Fuel,” “Food Matters,” “Simply Raw” plus others. Their main venue is the beautifully restored art deco Regent Showcase Theater in Hollywood. The founder, Skye Kelly, is the executive director of Heal One World, a non-profit organization she formed last year to provide preventative health care to those in need and provide awareness through films. While studying filmmaking, the former realtor found herself mainly interested in making films that had a message and brought awareness to pressing issues of today. That made a statement and inspired change. She started a call for entries and was amazed by the high quality of films she received. There were over 250 entries from around the world. She knew the festival had to be big enough to showcase these amazing films, and so was born The Awareness Festival.

Bringing narrative and documentary films, features and shorts, as well as having live musical performances and a wellness fair, the festival is approaching rapidly. The amazing all volunteer team has been going non-stop to spread the word.

Some stand outs are “Bilal’s Stand,” from Sundance 2010, “Zero Bridge,” “Horse Boy,” “urFRENZ” and “How I Got Lost” are all award-winning festival films. “May I Be Frank” is a LA festival premiere. As is “2012: Time for Change,” featuring Sting & others speaking of how to make conscious change for today and the future, made its way as the closing film. Most filmmakers & stars will be in attendance. Confirmed are filmmakers from “Fuel,” “Bilal’s Stand,” “The Next 7 Generations” and also with casts for “One Hour Fantasy Girl,” “urFRENZ,” “How I Got Lost” and “May I Be Frank.”

There is a forum with the filmmakers, speaking of making films that inspire change and awareness in addition to the Q&A after the film.

Marty Dread from Maui will provide reggae, plus other conscious musicians playing each evening.

A wellness event corresponding with documentaries on health will be at Heaven on Earth, just blocks away from the main venue. The Santa Monica venue will showcase shorts and smaller features.

A Discount is available for your readers or listeners: coupon Code 20OFFAF10

The festival is a fundraiser for Heal One World a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. More information: http://awarenessfestival.healoneworld.com.

Green Youth Movement Founder Ally Maize and Vice President Chloe Mills present Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with the 2010 Humanitarian Award at LA Fashion Weekend's green fashion show. (Photo credit: Djeneba Aduayom)

LOS ANGELES – (Business Wire) Los Angeles Fashion Weekend marked a successful feat for the Green Youth Movement (GYM), a local nonprofit that aims to teach sustainability and green living to the younger generation – the organization hosted THE GREEN INITIATIVE, an eco-friendly fashion show featuring environmentally conscious designers last Saturday, March 20 at Sunset Gower Studios. Prior to the runway show, GYM presented Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with the 2010 Humanitarian Award, marking the beginning of a partnership to bring sustainability to Los Angeles’ communities.

The event aimed to encourage America’s youth to follow the green trend and practice fashion with the environment in mind. With the intention to offset the carbon footprint of the show, GYM is planning a tree planting event with Million Trees Los Angeles, a vision begun by Mayor Villaraigosa to plant one million trees in Los Angeles over the next several years.

“I am committed to making Los Angeles the largest, cleanest and greenest city in the United States,” said Villaraigosa. “I ask all Angelinos to work with me and engage in this effort to grow our canopy cover for the future by planting one million trees today.”

Both green groups aim to plant and encourage the growth of trees in areas that need it most. By increasing the amount of trees, the people of Los Angeles can save on energy costs, clean pollutants from the air, help reduce the effects of global warming, capture polluted urban runoff, provide greater quality to our water, and of course make Los Angeles even more beautiful.

“Something as simple and organic as planting a tree can make a huge difference in the world,” says 17-year-old Ally Maize, founder of the Green Youth Movement. “This is a fun way for people in a community to join together and work towards the greater good of our planet.”

(source: Green Youth Movement)

Related Links

Ifelicious Thoughts- LA Fashion Week: The Green Initiative- a humanitarian fashion show

Ifelicious Thoughts- It’s Getting Haute in Here: The Green Youth Movement Presents LA Fashion Week’s Eco Fashion Show

Mayor of the City of Los Angeles- mayor.lacity.org

Facebook- Green Youth Movement

Twitter- twitter.com/GreenYouthMvmt

After 10 Years, Festival Leaves the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza

LOS ANGELES – The Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF), America’s largest and most prestigious Black film and arts festival, has moved its Los Angeles headquarters from the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza to 6820 Latijera Boulevard Suite 200 Los Angeles, CA 90045. Their new phone number is (310) 337-4737 and the fax number is (310) 337-4736. For more information, please visit www.paff.org.

Currently wrapping up film submissions for its 18th Annual signature event taking place February 10-15, 2010 in Los Angeles, the PAFF was established in 1992, as a non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of cultural and racial tolerance and understanding through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression.

It is PAFF’s goal to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. We believe film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2009

18th Annual Festival to Take Place in Los Angeles February 10-15

LOS ANGELES, CA – After the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF), America’s largest and most prestigious Black film and arts festival, has extended its film submission deadline through November 15, 2009, for its 18th Annual signature event taking place February 10-15, 2010 in Los Angeles. The PAFF will accept applications for films and videos made by and/or about people of African descent. Films should preferably depict positive and realistic images and can be of any genre – drama, comedy, horror, adventure, animation, romance, science fiction, experimental, etc. PAFF accepts features and shorts; narratives and documentaries as well as works in progress; however, films and videos must be completed no later than December 15, 2009. For the PAFF’s complete guidelines for film submissions, including application and fee information, please visit www.paff.org.

About the Pan African Film & Arts Festival

Established in 1992, The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of cultural and racial tolerance and understanding through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression.

It is PAFF’s goal to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. We believe film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.

The 18th Annual PAFF will take place February 10-15, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA.

www.paff.org

Related Links

affrodite.net- all posts on this blog mentioning PAFF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2009

Orson Wells’ rich, brilliant & ultimately doomed character Charles Foster Kane died, alone and unloved, in his California mansion. At the time of his passing he was a deformed, corrupt and far removed from the genius displayed in creating his mass media empire. In the aftermath of Michael Jackson’s I couldn’t help but think of ‘Kane..’ Michael’s Zanadu had been stripped from him a few years back, leaving him wandering from rental to rental home, such as the one he died in in Los Angeles yesterday.

Michael was prepping to try to recapture his once elevated status with 50 sold out shows at London’s massive O2 arena. But that was not to be. In fact I believe that the stress of preparing for that show, after his long performing layoff, played a role in his demise. With the music, videos and event tour that supported ‘Thriller’ Michael re-invented the art of the blockbuster album, creating an international stardom that endures. And, sadly, for the last twenty five years of his life Michael was in a losing battle with himself, trying to match that magical year even as the culture changed, the record industry imploded, and his personal demons ruined his reputation.

At several points in his life Michael revolutionized pop culture. He lead the first black teen group to cross racial lines. With Quincy Jones, he produced a trio of albums (Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad) that reinvented the rules for black artists musically and in terms of international appeal. The videos, grandiose, elaborate and full of wonderful dancing are still the gold standard for the merging of music & image. Along with Eddie Murphy, Bill Cosby, Oprah Winfrey, and so many other media legends, Michael made the ’80s a golden age for black pop culture.

I, like so many of you, grew up with Michael Jackson. With my mother, sister and family friends I attended the Jackson Five’s first Madison Square Garden show. Over the years I attended eight Jacksons/Michael Jackson shows and spend countless hours over the last forty years thinking about and, often writing about that man. In fact a book I did about him, The Michael Jackson Story, in 1984 jump started my career. It was first book and first exposure to the media machine that both celebrated, reported about and, ultimately, ripped him apart.

It’s hilarious how one sided much of the immediate commentary about the man has been. Sinner or saint? More apt is artist and sinner. People want to simplify a truly complex life. We have to be sophisticated enough to acknowledge that greatness and a touch of evil dwelled in the man. I’ve always believed that transcendent art emanates from the purest, most evolved parts of our soul. But that highly spiritual achievement doesn’t absolve us of our daily misdeeds. To simply brand him a smooth criminal, as some have, or to overlook his tragic nature, as have others, is to deny his humanity. The meaning of Michael Jackson’s life — as a black man, a sexual being, a abused and abusing adult — will be interpreted to fit the prejudices of the speaker. His music — it speaks volumes.

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For Immediate Release
May 12, 2009

Largest Black Film Festival Opens for Submissions May 15th

LOS ANGELES – Tuesday, May 12, 2009 – After a successful event in February, the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) America’s largest and most prestigious Black film and arts festival, has announced beginning May 15 the festival will accept submissions for their 18th Annual signature event taking place February 11-21, 2010 in Los Angeles.

The PAFF will accept applications for films and videos made by and/or about people of African descent. Films should preferably depict positive and realistic images and can be of any genre — drama, comedy, horror, adventure, animation, romance, science fiction, experimental, etc. PAFF accepts features and shorts; narratives and documentaries as well as works in progress; however, films and videos must be completed no later than December 15, 2009.

The deadline to submit films for consideration is September 30, 2009. Filmmakers will be notified by the PAFF of their acceptance beginning December 1, 2009.

For the PAFF’s complete guidelines for film submissions, including application and fee information, please visit www.paff.org/submissions.

The Pan African Film Festival is the largest film festival in the United States dedicated to the exhibition of Black films. Each year PAFF exhibits more than 150 films made in the U.S., Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Latin America and Canada. In 2009, 40,000+ people from both the Industry and the public attended the PAFF. The18th Annual PAFF will take place February 11-21, 2010 in Los Angeles. For more information, please visit www.paff.org.

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Most of us know Ernie Barnes best by his painting “Sugar Shack” that could be seen at the end of every “Good Times” episode.  On April 27, 2009, Ernie Barnes passed away at age 70 in Los Angeles.  I became reacquainted with his work when living in the Raleigh-Durham area a few years back (Ernie is a Durham, NC native) and immediately bought a “Sugar Shack” print to add to my collection.

What was news to me to read was that Ernie was a pro football player…

Drafted into professional football in 1959, Barnes, a lineman, played for the New York Titans, Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. (source:  The News & Observer)

Regarding the details of his death…

Ernie Barnes was born with a rare blood disorder that eventually contributed to his death, said James. He died Monday night in a Los Angeles hospital, near where he had made his home for decades.  (source:  The News & Observer)

I found this tidbit interesting about Ernie’s artwork…

Barnes never painted his subjects with their eyes open.

“We don’t see each other,” he said once in an interview. “We are blind to each other’s humanity.” (source:  NPR News)

Read more about the life and work of Ernie Barnes from the links I’m sharing below…

kanYe West blog- ERNIE BARNES (1938-2009) RETROSPECTIVE

The Root- A BELATED FAREWELL TO PAINTER ERNIE BARNES

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette- OBITUARY: ERNIE BARNES

LA Times Blogs- FAREWELL, BOB OATES AND ERNIE BARNES

Thank you for your contribution, Ernie Barnes.

Laing’s Lifestory Subject of New Film “Skin” starring Sophie Okonedo

(Wed. February 11, 2009) Sandra Laing (middle), black woman born to white parents and subject of the new film "SKIN" attends special screening at the 17th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles. Laing is pictured with PAFF founder Ayuko Babu (left) and actress Alfre Woodard (right). Photo credit: Shon Smith for D'Angelo's Photos.

LOS ANGELES, CA – Sandra Laing attended a special screening at the 17th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival of the critically acclaimed new film about her life “SKIN,” starring Sophie Okonedo. Among those in attendance were actress Alfre Woodard. The screening took place Wednesday, February 12, 2009 at the Culver Plaza Theatre as part of the 2009 Pan African Film & Arts Festival held annually in Los Angeles.

Based on true events, “SKIN” tells the story of a genetic abnormality that caused a woman born of white parents in apartheid South Africa, to look like a black person. Tormented and unaccepted by white society though classified as white, she falls in love with a Black man and moves to a township, alienating her parents. The film stars Sophie Okonedo, and is directed by Anthony Fabian.

The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is the largest and most prestigious flagship black film and arts festival in the country. The festival consists of more than 150 new movies by filmmakers and 100 fine artists from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, the South Pacific, Europe and Canada, showcasing the diversity and complexity of people from African descent. www.PAFF.org

(Wed. February 11, 2009) "SKIN" director Anthony Fabian and actress Alfre Woodard at a special screening at the 17th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles. "SKIN" tells the story of a black woman born to white parents in South Africa during the 1950s. Photo credit: Shon Smith for D'Angelo's Photos.