My friend Joe the filmmaker

Got an email from my friend Joe Kuehne in Washington, DC who is one of my filmfest buddies. He recently entered the 5-day Documentary Challenge and placed in the Top 12 worldwide!! Here is his email:

It was a documentary short competition (9 minutes max) that was open to teams worldwide and had to be completed in five days. We did it at the end of March, and found out two days ago that we were selected as one of the Top 12 from the competition. That means our film will be packaged with the other 11 finalists as a feature-length series that will be sent to film festivals around the world.

They already have commitments from events in DC and New Zealand, and there's even one in Canada (I think it's in Toronto). That last one is sponsored by the National Film Board of Canada and the Documentary Organization of Canada. There's also a TV distribution deal in the works, and we're still eligible for all the major
awards for the competition, which will be given out in July here in DC. I'll keep you posted on dates and other info.

CONGRATULATIONS JOE!

Met in line at TIFF
Now documentary STAR
Joe we're proud of you!

Joe also spent the past weekend doing the 48-hour film project, also in DC, which started Friday at 7:00pm (read: NO SLEEP this weekend.) He is directing, his cohorts are writing and another TIFF buddy Shawn is the DP.

GO TEAM JOE! We can't wait to see the final product - pls bring tapes to TIFF in September.

Breast Friends Forever

I'm posting this message from my friend Joelle Segal on the anniversary of this event:

One year ago today, my sisters, friends, and I held Breast Friends Forever for the first time ever, an evening designed to tribute the strength and courage of all women & men who have battled breast cancer. The whole concept was inspired by my mother, Dody Segal, who lost her own battle with breast cancer in 2004. The night was both magical and extremely successful!!

With about 100 cancer survivors attending and about 400 supportive guests, we raised over $30,000 for Gilda’s Club Barrie Ontario! To celebrate the first anniversary of Breast Friends Forever, we’ve re-vamped the website, adding pictures, slideshows, and videos from the best moments of Breast Friends Forever 2005. If you were unable to attend the event, or if you did attend and you would like to re-live the magic, TAKE A LOOK!

-> Click on http://www.breastfriendsforever.ca/
-> Go to the Video and Pics page
-> Now have some fun!

My personal favourites are the BFF Video Clip (a brief synopsis of the evening, rolled into a very entertaining 1.5 minutes) and the Atmosphere/Action at the Silent Auction. You will also find Laugh Therapy, Silks performances, the amazing singer Liz Rodriquez, who made everyone cry, and more! You might even see yourself on the videos!

Due to popular demand, we are in the works of trying to bring Breast Friends Forever back next May 2007. If you have any suggestions, or if you would like to be involved, please email me at joelle_segal@yahoo.ca

Thanks again for all your 'support'!

Joelle Segal
34A

Akeelah and the Bee

See this charming movie! Akeelah and the Bee is a fictional story (unlike the documentary Spellbound) which follows an 11 year-old girl through a series of spelling bees. Starbucks Entertainment is a co-producer so they are advertising on all their coffee sleeves.

I love how Akeelah taps or skips as she spells and it's lovely to watch the relationship develop between her and her coach (Laurence Fishburne). I especially liked the idea of "50,000 coaches" - how everyone we know plays a role in our success.

Great message - nice movie - take your kids (but note the 2-hour running time) MMMm