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5.6.2007
Contact: Laura Kobzeff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: (916) 425-8820
Email: info@damah.com
DAMAH FILM FESTIVAL SELECTS BEST SPIRITUAL FILMS
Culver City, CA – May 6, 2007 – The Damah Film Festival, the nation's foremost spiritually themed festival concluded three days of premieres, workshops and parties with a gala awards ceremony on Sunday night where winners were announced in the five, fifteen and 30 minute categories along with a special Best of Show award.
In the 5-minute category, the winner was "LaLiberte de I'Interieur" (Freedom From Within) by Eric Albertson, the story of a man confined to a door-less, window-less room who is helped to freedom by a mysterious stranger.
In the 15-minute category, "5 Minutes," the story of a woman on the verge of suicide who is approached by a man claiming he is Jesus Christ, took top honors. The film was directed by Deborah Brown and filmed in Milan, Italy. Brown received the award from Batman Forever screenwriter Janet Scott Batchler.
"Joseph Henry" by Director Phil Allocco won the award in the 30-minute category, beguiling viewers with a contrast between thought and reality.
The Best of Show award was presented to Elinor Geller, who helmed "Spirit Child" a narrated and animated piece about a spirit child who lives happily in a cemetery until she unexpectedly stumbles into the dark. The award was presented by Damah juror and Japan's top film producer Kanjiro Sakura (White Out, Aegis) who sponsored the $2,000 cash prize.
"I have been involved with Damah over the past 5 years and have been greatly inspired by the short films," noted Sakura. " They have had a significant influence on me personally – both in a spiritual sense and practical sense. As a result, I have a desire to continue making influential films in Japan."
"We are very pleased with the festival this year" said the Executive Director of Damah, John Bucher. "We feel that these films truly capture the best in spiritually themed cinema."
Other highlights of the weekend included the Inside Pitch seminar with Chris Lockhart, Executive Story Editor at ICM, where aspiring writers ventured to the front of the theater, grabbed a microphone and pitched their ideas to the industry expert.
Scott Halford, the Director of the Foursite Film Festival and a first time attendee at Damah praised the festival: "Damah has been very accepting of different walks of life and is all embracing. No one was outwardly preachy, rather they were concerned with being pro-truth and it was very refreshing."
Winners were selected by a stellar cast of jurors which included X-Men helmer Ralph Winter, Janet Scott Batchler (Batman Forever), Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) and thirteen others.
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For more information about the Damah Film Festival and to be added to the mailing list for next year's event, please visit www.damah.com or contact Laura Kobzeff at (916) 425-8820 info@damah.com.
4.21.2007
Contact: Laura Kobzeff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: (916) 425-8820
Email: info@damah.com
CONTROVERSIAL JESUS FILM DEBUTS AT DAMAH FILM FESTIVAL
Culver City, CA –April 21, 2007 -- "The Obscure Brother", a 12 minute short film with a controversial twist on the relationship between two famous Bible characters, will debut at the spiritually-minded Damah Film Festival to be held in Culver City, CA, May 4-6. In addition to the showing of the film, writer/director Linda Di Franco will participate in a discussion with Phil Gallo, the associate Editor of Variety.
Gianna Palminteri commenting on her performance as Mary noted, "I wanted to show the human side of Mary, the part where she has to deal with her sexuality and love for Joseph and her adoration for her child. I felt important for women to know that she was a human first."
Ms. Palminteri and her husband, Actor Chazz Palminteri (Usual Suspects) praised Di Franco. "I knew shooting this project with Linda was going to be a treat, but her vision as a filmmaker surpassed all my expectations," noted Gianna. Chazz added, "'The Obscure Brother' is a beautiful tale. Linda Di Franco knows how to tell a story."
One of the reasons Di Franco made "The Obscure Brother" was to experiment with a new genre. "I wanted to create something new and unique - an epic short film. I don't think anything has been done in this category yet." Executive Producer Federico Castelluccio (The Sopranos) added, "What originally attracted me to the Obscure Brother was the possibility of shedding new light on one of the best known stories in history."
When asked about her involvement with the Damah Film Festival, Di Franco stated, "I'm very excited to have discovered this platform. Damah is a place where stories with a spiritual message can be told without immediate prejudice. New ideas are welcomed and I appreciate that."
Damah's Executive Director, John Bucher, uses Di Franco's film as an example of what the Damah Film Festival is aiming to achieve. "The purpose behind Damah is to encourage spiritual conversations and to get people talking about their beliefs," said Bucher. "We're not afraid of controversy - we welcome it if it will further vigorous spiritual dialogue. Damah films have always encouraged people to examine why they believe what they believe. We think 'The Obscure Brother' will be the catalyst for many stimulating conversations."
To view a complete list of screenings, filmmakers, panel members and events, please visit www.damah.com
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For more information about the 2007 Damah Film Festival, or to schedule an interview, please contact Laura Kobzeff at (916) 425-8820 or e-mail Laura a info@damah.com.
4.15.2007
Contact: Laura Kobzeff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: (916) 425-8820
Email: info@damah.com
NEW CELEBRITY JURORS ADDED AT SPIRITUALLY-MINDED DAMAH FILM FESTIVAL
Culver City, CA –April 15, 2007 -- On May 4-6, 2007 the 6th Annual Damah Film Festival will return to Culver City and showcase some of the best in spiritually inspired short films, created by filmmakers coming from a variety of backgrounds. Filmmakers will be showing their projects to audiences in hopes that they will not only be appreciated for their technical talents but also for their ability to inspire and challenge viewers.
The Damah Film Festival has always been known for its impressive list of celebrity jurors and this year is no exception as two new jurors have joined Damah's stellar cast. The first is Christopher Lockhart, the Executive Story Editor at ICM, a leading talent and literary agency in Los Angeles; the second, Dean Batali, former writer/producer for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and That 70s Show.
The two will be joining Damah veteran screenwriters like Janet Scott Batchler, (Batman Forever) one of only a dozen women accepted into the prestigious Directing Workshop for Women of the American Film Institute; Andi Chapman an Actress, Filmmaker, Theatre Director (Dramalogue Award winner for Outstanding Direction); Barry Cook, Director of Mulan
(1998); director Scott Derrickson The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005); Emmy Award winning producer Howard Kazanjian, Producer of Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi; veteran producer Hunt Lowry, (A Walk To Remember) (2003) Cinderella Story (2004),; multi-award winning Director/Writer/Producer Jonas McCord (The Body); Stephen McEveety, Producer of Passion of the Christ (2004) and Braveheart (2002); film critic and nationally syndicated radio talk show host Michael Medved; Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist Michael Ramirez; One of Japan's top film Producers Kanjiro Sakura; Aegis, (2006), Simon Swart, Senior Vice President at 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment;
Singer-Songwriter David Wilcox; Chris Willman, Senior Writer for Entertainment Weekly; and Ralph Winter, Producer of the X-Men films and Fantastic Four (2005)
Chosen by Damah's Board of Directors, the jurors are responsible for selecting the films that will be shown at the festival as well as voting for the award winners. But the jurors sometimes get awards as well. Last year Emily Rose director Scott Derrickson was given a special award for Excellence in Spiritual Filmmaking. Director Paul Feig (Freaks & Geeks) was previously honored for his movie I Am David (2003).
"It is always enjoyable to watch someone's passion, energy and talent manifest on the big screen," noted director and juror Derrickson. "It is inspiring to meet young filmmakers, and to think I might offer a bit of advice from my own career to help someone else succeed; that is a privilege."
To read more about the jury panel, filmmakers, screening times, and special events, please visit www.damah.com
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For more information about the 2007 Damah Film Festival, or to schedule an interview, please contact Laura Kobzeff at (916) 425-8820 or e-mail Laura a info@damah.com.
4.10.2007
Contact: Laura Kobzeff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: (916) 425-8820
Email: info@damah.com
CULVER CITY TO HOST SPIRITUALLY-MINDED DAMAH FILM FESTIVAL
Culver City, CA –April 10, 2007 -- On May 4-6, 2007 the 6th Annual Damah Film Festival will return to Culver City and showcase some of the best in faith-based and spiritually inspired short films. This year the festival will be hosted on the grounds of Culver Studios, a popular film site used in the classic "Citizen Kane" (1941), "Gone With the Wind" (1939), and more recently the award winning TV show "Arrested Development". Widely known for its exterior façade of a grand colonial mansion and picturesque grounds, during this year's festival, the Culver Studios will be displaying artistic beauty within the famous walls as well.
Filmmakers from across the globe will be showing their projects to audiences in hopes that they will not only be appreciated for their technical talents but also for their ability to inspire and enlighten viewers.
"We're excited to be back in Culver City," noted Damah's Executive Director, John Bucher of the festival which began in 2001 in Seattle.
"We had such an amazing experience being in Culver City last year that we're back for more. Many of our filmmakers told us they loved the experience last year and we were listening."
"Damah", a Hebrew word meaning "a metaphor that transforms" or as "the merging of the known, the unknown and the transcendent," showcases the best in spiritual filmmaking in categories that range from 1-30 minutes. Filmmakers who enter their films in the Damah Festival are chosen by a panel of celebrity judges, based on technical and spiritual aspects portrayed in the film. This year's celebrity jurors include Return of the Jedi producer Howard Kazanjian, X-Men helmer Ralph Winter, one of Japan's top film producers Kanjiro Sakura, Director Scott Derrickson, ICM executive Christopher Lockhart and others.
In addition to regular film screenings, audience members who attend the festival can also expect panel discussions, workshops and interactive screenings to stimulate discussion and expression.
Encouraged by a successful transition from Seattle, Washington and the increasing popularity of spiritual and faith based films produced in Hollywood, the Damah Film Festival continues once again to provide a forum for spiritually minded filmmakers and audiences alike.
To view a list of screenings, filmmakers, panel members and events, please visit www.damah.com
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For more information about the 2007 Damah Film Festival, or to schedule an interview, please contact Laura Kobzeff at (916) 425-8820 or e-mail Laura at info@damah.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Damah Mission
Damah’s History
Press Release 05.22.2006
Damah Film Festival Awards Winners; Showcases Hollywood Heavyweights
Press
Release
ICM Exec Christopher Lockhart to Give Hollywood “Inside Pitch” Workshop at Damah Film Festival
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UNIQUE SPRITUAL FILM FESTIVAL
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Release 03.24.2006
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Release 03.10.2006
FILM EXECUTIVES, CRITIC,
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Release 03.14.2005
Spiritual Film Festival Sells Out
in its Los Angeles Debut
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Release 02.21.2005
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in Los Angeles Debut
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Release 07.22.2004
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Release 12.09.2003
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Release 5.08.2003
FILM FESTIVAL GRAPPLES WITH SPIRITUAL ISSUES,
ATTRACTS HOLLYWOOD HEAVYWEIGHTS
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Release 10.17.2002
SPIRITUAL FILM FESTIVAL A HUGE SUCCESS IN SEATTLE
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TOP
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DEADLINE LOOMS
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Release 6.6.2001
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Release 4.2.2001
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