Starring Jacksonville

PHOTOS ATTACHED BELOW

The plush, red carpet rolled out. Local photographers flashed their cameras. The band of young jazz musicians fine-tuned its notes. Waiters prepared trays with delicious finger-foods while bartenders fully stocked the bar. And the silver-encrusted awards glittered on the podium of the stage. Jacksonville was set to premiere in its big role last night as the host of the 5th Annual Legends Awards, located in the revamped WJCT Studios.

Film Florida started the awards ceremony to commemorate special individuals in Florida’s film industry. This year’s recipients included technically gifted director/producer Jerry Smith, film studio founder, the late Richard Norman, and distributing extraordinaire Belton Clark.

At the beginning of the event, the who’s who of the film industry in Florida gathered to catch up with old friends and make new ones. The hall was a flurry of excitement as guests swarmed around tables with food in one hand, drinks in the other, and smiles on their faces. Creating a warm and friendly atmosphere, the reception was the perfect prelude to the honoring ceremony.

Guests then strutted across the red carpet from the reception hall into a large studio room. Elegantly decorated with white chairs, gold Oscar-like figurines on the stage, and even an old-time popcorn machine, the room symbolized the greatness of the film industry. Large projector screens daunted both sides of the stage, showcasing short montages about the accomplishments of each legend.

UNF/Florida Writers Association hosts Writers Conference

The Division of Continuing Education and the Department of English at the University of North Florida, along with the Florida Writers Association, is sponsoring the 2010 Writers Conference Friday, Aug. 6, through Sunday, Aug. 8, at the University Center on campus. The conference is for writers of fiction, non-fiction and screenplays. On Friday, Steve Berry, New York Times best-selling author of "The Charlemagne Pursuit," "The Alexandria Link," "The Venetian Betrayal" and many more, will present a workshop titled "What Every Writer Should Never Forget." On Saturday and Sunday, writers can participate in general fiction, general non-fiction, young adult, children's book, memoir-writing and screenwriting critique workshops. Also on Sunday, writers can attend a "First Page" critique panel and a workshop featuring the UNF Writers Conference Book & Film Deal Connection where they may submit their work for a low fee to agents, book editors, and film producers after the conference through the Pitch Book.

Hometown Starlet Ashley Greene

The third film of the popular Twilight series, Eclipse, premiered in theaters last night and featured actress Ashley Greene, a Jacksonville native whose breakout role as vampire Alice Cullen is putting her on the path to stardom. In her interview with Roger Moore of the Orlando Sentinel, she discusses preparing for her role as Alice Cullen, adapting to her new lifestyle of fame, and looking forward to what her future holds. To read the full article, visit Orlando Sentinel. Greene is set to star in the comedy Butter with Jennifer Garner and the thriller The Apparition, both scheduled to be released in 2011.

Don't Miss Red Dirt Rising's Hometown Screening!

The film Red Dirt Rising will premiere in Jacksonville tonight at 6:30pm in the Five Points Theatre. The film is directed and produced by Jacksonville native Kathleen "Bo" Bobak and is a true American tale of love set in the fourties. It also features many other local Jacksonville cast and crew memebers. Tickets are $6.50 for members of the film commission Cinemania and $8.50 for the public.

For more information or to see the trailer, visit Red Dirt Rising.

And that’s a Wrap!

The 2010 Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project concluded June 20.  The forty-two teams that participated had 48 hours to write, produce, shoot, and edit a short film, after being given the genre at the event’s kickoff on June 18.  The completed films will be screened at The Florida Theater June 22, 23, and 24 from 6:00pm to 10:30pm.  Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students.  A 3 Screening Pack (June 22, 23, and 24) is available at $35 for adults and $20 for students.  Wednesday, June 23, is also Ashley Furniture Family Friendly Film Night and all films that night are G, PG or PG-13.  A Wrap Party will take place July 1st at Walker's Bar from 6:00pm to 8:00pm and an awards ceremony will be held on July 10 at The Florida Theatre from 6:00pm to 11:00pm.  Tickets for the awards ceremony are $15 for adults and $10 for students.  A 4 Show Ticket Pack (June 22, 23, 24, and July 10 not including VIP Pre-Award Show Party) is available at $50 for adults and $30 for students.  Tickets for the VIP Pre Award Show Party are $20 for adults and $15 for students.

For more information, visit  48 Hour Film and for advance tickets, visit Ticket Master.

Red Dirt Rising Crew Interviews

Select cast and crew members of Red Dirt Rising, produced and directed by Jacksonville's own Kathleen "Bo" Bobak, will be available for interviews the week of June 21.  These cast and crew members include the director Bobak, screenwriters Rita Manyette and Amanda Davidson, lead actress Cindy Hogan, and possibly extras-casting manager Mac McDonald and gaffer Andy Howell based on their Jax 48 Hour Film Project demands.

To schedule crew interviews contact Amanda Davidson of ABC at 904-993-7897.

A Florida-specific press release, photo gallery and film clips are available at RedDirtRising.  Cinemania, Jacksonville.com's film collective, will screen Red Dirt Rising at the Five Points Theatre, Monday, June 28 at 6:30 pm.  Admission is $6.50 for Cinemania members and $8.50 for the public.

SPECIAL EVENTS REMINDER

KHAKI & WHITE COCKTAIL RECEPTION
Monday, June 21, 2010 6p.m.-8p.m.

Azurea Bar at One Ocean Resort

One Ocean Blvd.

Atlantic Beach, FL 32233

Tickets: $25

Please come to support film in Florida by auctioning on items graciously donated by sponsors.  Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit Film Florida's Sara Fuller Scholarship Fund and the Don Davis Film Finishing Fund.

5TH ANNUAL LEGENDS AWARDS

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 6:30p.m.-10p.m.

WJCT Studios

100 Festival Park Ave.

Jacksonville, FL 32202

Tickets: $40 in advance, $50 at the door
Please join Film Florida to celebrate three remarkable individuals for their contribution to film in Florida.  Jerry Smith, Founder and CEO of PineRidge Film and Television, Belton Clark of Clark Film Company, and Richard Norman of Norman Studios (posthumously) will all be honored as this year's recipients at the 5th Annual Legends Awards.  Melissa Ross and her film The 904 will also be honored as this year's recipient of the Don Davis Finishing Fund.

ADVANCE TICKETS:
http://www.filmflorida.org/news/view.aspx?item=147

Cinemania Announces Screening of "Red Dirt Rising", Call for Volunteers

Jacksonville.com's Cinemania group has announced a screening of the locally-cast and -crewed Red Dirt Rising at the Five Points Theater Monday, June 28th at 6:30 PM.   

Red Dirt Rising follows the lives of three young men who come of age to find escape from life's challenges on the track, ultimately shaping the future of their families and stock car racing during the 1940s. Several Jacksonville locals worked on the film, including writer/director Kathleen Bobak and actress Cindy Hogan.

Admission will be $6.50 for Cinemania members and $8.50 for the general public.

More on the 48 Hour Film Project

The 2010 Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project, presented by PRI Productions and in partnership with The Florida Theatre, kicks off this Friday, June 18, at the Jacksonville Landing.

42 teams of filmmakers will draw randomly from a hat to decide in which genre they must shoot. At two minutes to 7:00pm, they find out a character, prop and line of dialog that must be included in every film, and the contest begins at 7 PM. teams will then have 48 hours to write, produce, shoot, edit, score and render a 4-7 minute short film and return, with their completed film, to the Jacksonville Landing.

The Kick-Off event is open to the public and has in recent years drawn around 400 people in the courtyard of the Landing to send filmmakers on their way. This year, rock band The Ride will be take the stage at 8:00 PM for the Kick-Off audience. The Project will also be hosting a Countdown event at 7:29:50 at the Landing on Sunday, June 20th.
For more information about the Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project go to http://www.48hourfilm.com/jacksonville or contact Mac McDonald, Producer.

48 Hour Film Project Announces Screening Nights

The 48 Hour Film Project will hold its annual screenings June 23-25th at the Florida Theatre.

The screenings follow a 48-hour period in which 42 teams were randomly assigned one of 14 genres in which to shoot a film between 4-7 minutes long.


Doors will open each night at 6 PM, with the screening beginning at 7 PM. Screenings are divided into three groups, with 14 films screened per group. General entries, in Groups A and C, will be screened on June 23rd and 25th; family-friendly Group B entries will screened on June 23rd. After each night, a vote will be held on favorite films of the evening.

Cinemania Announces June Schedule

Jacksonville.com's film collective CINEMANIA has announced their schedule for the month of June. In addition to the hotly-anticipated 48 Hour Film Project, Cinemania will also be hosting a number of screenings and panels, listed below:

Sunday, June 6, 4:30 p.m.
Cinemania Hometown Screening: IRS HITMAN Reality TV Show
5 Points Theatre, 1022 Park Street
Admission: Free
Join us as we celebrate the first public screening of Jacksonville resident Don Campbell's reality TV show, "IRS Hitman." Shot by Campbell, the 30-minute show features a former IRS agent turned defender of the American taxpayer. The series follows the IRS "Hitman" as he travels America on his motorcycle to find families with IRS tax troubles and rescues them using his street smarts and experience as a former IRS agent. See the show, meet the cast and producer/director and maybe WIN A FREE iPAD! Music by Jonra after the show, Q&A and iPad giveaway.

Monday, June 7, 6:30 p.m.
Cinemania Film Society: Harry Brown starring Michael Caine
5 Points Theatre, 1022 Park Street
Join Cinemania for a special screening of HARRY BROWN, Michael Caine's newest film. Here's the story: An ex-serviceman and widower looks to avenge his best friend's murder by doling out his own form of justice. This film was made in England and was nominated for, and won, several British film awards. Admission: $6.50 (Paid Cinemania members get a $2 discount off the $8.50 regular admission.)

Teen Fest 2010 Looking for Talent

Teen Leaders of America is holding auditions for this year's Teen Fest  June 8th and 15th at the Schell-Sweet Center at Edward Waters College, with a $300 cash prize to winners in each of four categories (art, poetry, freestyle and general talent).

Teen Fest 2010, subtitled "Reach One Teach One", is an event designed to showcase teen talent and discuss teen issues. The event will be held July 3rd at the University of North Florida from  10 AM 3 PM. This year's event will target single mothers raising teens, but will be open to all teens and parents in the community. Topics will include but are not limited to "jobs for teens, college admissions and financial aid, teen pregnancy, the consequences of "ballin", and "relationships and respect". Teens should for this event (competitions in ).  

Transportation to UNF from the Schell-Sweet Center (1697 Kings Rd; Jacksonville, FL  32209) for this event is being negotiated; further information on transportation will be given when details are confirmed. On the event registration form, there is an option to indicate if you and/or your guests will need transportation assistance.






Registration and sponsorship information is available through Teen Leaders of America's website.

Teen Fest is hosted by UnderDaScope Entertainment, Imprints of Ashley and Teen Leaders of America.

Sign-Up for Film Florida Silent Auction Ends June 7th

The Film Florida Legends Award silent auction, part of the Khaki and White Cocktail Reception, will take place at 6 P.M. on June 21st at the oceanfront Azurea Bar at One Ocean Resort in Atlantic Beach. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Film Florida's Sara Fuller Scholarship Fund and the Don Davis Film Finishing Fund. Tickets for the reception will cost $25 and include complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.

Donations are also being accepted for the silent auction; contact our office to inquire.

The 5th Annual Film Florida Legend Awards will occur the next day at 6:30p.m. on June 22nd at WJCT Studios at 6:30 P.M. The awards will honor Legends Belton Clark, Jerry Smith and Richard Norman and will feature celebrity guests, legendary filmmakers and more. Tickets for the ceremony cost $40 in advance (available under the TICKETS link at filmflorida.org) and $50 at the door (pending availability), and include complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.