New York, NY (April 24, 2009) – John Sayles will kick off the “Movies with a Message” film series at Hunter College’s Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute on Wednesday, April 29, with a screening of his award-winning movie Honeydripper followed by a “fireside chat” by the Oscar-nominated director.
“Movies with a Message” is co-hosted by The Creative Coalition and Screen Media Films Spotlight Initiative, and is part of the Roosevelt House’s continuing focus on public policy issues.
Honeydripper, which stars Danny Glover, Mary Steenburgen, Lisa Gay Hamilton and Charles S. Dutton, is a rock ’n’ roll fable about African American life in a small town in 1950s Alabama. It won the 2008 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Independent Film.
“One of the exciting things about Roosevelt House,” said Hunter College President Jennifer J. Raab, “is its dedication to exploring public issues in new and innovative ways. Looking at the American legacy of pop music and racial prejudice through the medium of film is a perfect example of this imaginative approach.”
”The Creative Coalition is proud to partner with Roosevelt House to bring the messaging power of Independent film to the policy community,” said Robin Bronk, Executive Director of The Creative Coalition. “The selection of a Spotlight Initiative Film signifies the positive impact that independent film projects can make in our communities,“ added Robert Baruc, President of Screen Media Films.
WHAT: Spotlight Initiative Film Series – An Evening with John Sayles’ Honeydripper
WHERE: Hunter College
Ida K. Lang Recital Hall
North Building, 4th Floor
(Enter on 69th St. between Lexington and Park Avenues)
New York City
WHEN: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
6:00 p.m. Reception
6:30 p.m. Program Begins
ABOUT ROOSEVELT HOUSE (www.roosevelthouse.hunter.edu)
THE ROOSEVELT HOUSE PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE
Roosevelt House, an integral part of Hunter College since 1943, reopens this year as a public policy institute, honoring the distinguished legacy of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Its mission is three-fold: to educate students in public policy, to support applied policy research, and to foster creative dialogue. The new institute will provide opportunities for students to analyze public policy and experience meaningful civic engagement; for faculty to research, teach, and write constructively about important issues of the day; and for scholarly and public audience to participate in high-profile lectures, seminars, and conferences.
ABOUT THE CREATIVE COALITION (www.thecreativecoalition.org)
The Creative Coalition is the premiere 501(c) (3) nonprofit, nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating its members on issues of public importance, and is headquartered in New York City.
ABOUT SCREEN MEDIA FILMS (www.screenmediafilms.com)
Screen Media Films acquires the rights to high quality, independent feature films for distribution to theaters, on DVD, electronic downloading and all television, for the US and Canada. All films are distributed for home entertainment through an exclusive distribution arrangement with Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Screen Media Films, is a wholly owned division of Screen Media Ventures. With a library of over 1000 motion pictures, Screen Media Ventures is one of the largest independent suppliers of high quality motion pictures to U.S. and international broadcast markets, cable networks, home video outlets and new media venues.
ABOUT THE SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE
The Spotlight Initiative is a joint venture between The Creative Coalition and Screen Media Films that supports independent films that have a positive impact on global issues.
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CONTACT:
Chelsea Cummings
Qorvis Communications
202-683-3106