FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DMV INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST 2012

A celebration of Arthouse Films in the Gateway Arts District

Presented by the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation and the Prince George’s Arts & Humanities Council

June 15 & 17 2012

Venue:

Brentwood Arts Exchange @ Gateway Arts Center 3901 Rhode Island Avenue, Brentwood, MD 20722

Contact:

The Creative Edge, Pierre Walcott, 202-230-7486, pierre.walcott2@gmail.com http://dmviff.tumblr.com

Hyattsville, MD, June 1, 2012 – DMV International Film Festival (DMVIFF) is a unique offering of the works of local and international filmmakers. The festival runs June 15th–17th at the Brentwood Arts Exchange @ Gateway Arts Center, including internationally acclaimed films and programs, such as “Tin Man,” “Chocolate City,” “Charlie Casanova” and “The Actors’ Intensive” Workshop with Winsome Sinclair and Memory Layne Filmworks. 25 films will be shown in total. Tickets are $10 at the door per day, and can be purchased online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/245272.

In its third year, this year’s festival is sponsored by the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation and the Prince George’s Arts & Humanities Council, under the direction of the Creative Edge, a community of local filmmakers, creatives and community organizations dedicated to building a film and digital media scene in the Gateway Arts District. DMVIFF is the vision of Ms. Tanecia Britt, a gifted local filmmaker, entrepreneur and founding member of The Creative Edge.

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HEADLINING EVENTS

6/15/12 **Opening Night Feature*-Title: “Chocolate City” (5:45 pm - 6:30 pm)

*Encore Presentation* -Title: “Charlie Casanova” (6:45 pm - 8:15 pm)

6/16/12 “The Actors’ Intensive” Workshop with Winsome Sinclair (11:00 am - 4:00 pm)

6/17/12 -Title: “La tragedia del hombre hueco” (The hollow man’s tragedy) (6:00 pm- 6:16 pm) 

Title: Stanley Pickle

*Closing Night Feature* - Title: Tin Can Man (6:35pm- 8:00 pm)

ABOUT “THE ACTORS’ INTENSIVE”

Now in its third year, the DMV International Film Festival is excited to present its newest program, “The Actors’ Intensive,” sponsored by Memory Layne Filmworks. Taught by casting director, Winsome Sinclair, this unique workshop is designed to give actors in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area an intense experience on what it takes to audition and book work as a professional actor. With a small class, each actor is given special attention and multiple chances to work and improve skills. Actors will work on strengthening cold reading and audition techniques. Additional activities include improvisation, Q&A with Ms. Sinclair, and a one-on- one scene reading with Winsome Sinclair. Direct feedback, detailed feedback will be privately given to each actor. Registration will begin at 11:00 a.m.

ABOUT WINSOME SINCLAIR

One of the most sought after casting directors on the East Coast, Winsome Sinclair has collaborated with such directors as Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Oliver Stone and John Singleton, casting principals and extras for the films “Amistad,” “Malcolm X,” “Waiting to Exhale,” “She Hate Me,” “Inside Man,” “Too Fast Too Furious,” “Black Snake Moan,” “Cadillac Records” and “Precious,” among others. Her most recent projects include “For Colored Girls,” “Violet & Daisy” and the upcoming remake of the classic “Sparkle.” In addition to features, Sinclair has also cast projects for network television. Her firm, Winsome Sinclair & Associates, with offices in New York City, is celebrated for creating valuable jobs for many African-American and Latino actors. With over 20 years of experience in film, this industry veteran sits on the board of directors of the African-American Women In Cinema foundation. She is also a member of the New York Women In Film and Television.

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She has also led the Star Project for the American Black Film Festival and moderated symposiums and panel discussions for the prestigious film festival. Sinclair is a co- founder and serves as producer for the full-service production company, Legacy Media Group. Her company founded the TV/Film Production Certificate Program at Medgar Evers College. The program, presented by Legacy Media in conjunction with Medgar Evers Personal Development Institute and affiliated with the Adult Continuing Education at Medgar Evers College, gives students hands-on training and preparation for a career in film and television production. Sinclair also serves as an instructor for the first course of its kind at the Brooklyn campus. Sinclair produced the laugh-out-loud web series, “Liza Out Loud.” She recently wrapped production on the dramatic web series, “Brooklyn Rain,” which was produced entirely by Legacy Media Group. She most recently cast 2012 Sundance Official Selections “Red Hook Summer” directed by Spike Lee and “Slavery By Another Name” directed by Sam Pollard. Sinclair is also set to produce the hip hop crime drama, Justice, written and directed by filmmaker-to-watch, Joey Mhz. She is currently producing the British crime drama, “Flowers Don’t Grow In England.”

ABOUT TANECIA BRITT

For director Tanecia Britt, pictures are a constant flow of concepts through her hands and eyes, depicted with more emotion than what can be seen in real life. After graduating from Johnson C. Smith University, reality became the foundation for her films. Living strictly off of her determination to become a full-time director, the self-forming entrepreneur hit the country. Working as a marketing and campaign administrator or the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago then freelancing in Atlanta, Britt soon found herself networking among some of the sharpest eyes in the South. Celebrity photographer Donna Pernell shared insight about the inner workings of the industry which motivated Britt to declare herself as an assistant director and production assistant. Continuously networking and building her name, she found herself under the direction of Eyal Sivian, professor and mentor at the University of East London. Under him she learned to shoot with a purpose and to take her time with film-making.

Her creativity and relentless drive to succeed opened a niche for Internet films in which she began to market herself on the web. To date, Tanecia Britt has been a never-ending machine, cranking out films including her 2008 feature “School Without Walls” along with a multitude of shorts and music videos. Her unstoppable nature led her to team with Reset Pictures out of New York City which allowed her to feature her talents on Mark Ecko’s “Cut and Sew” commercials, Talib Qweli’s “Strangers” music video and Maino’s “Girlfriend” music video. Currently, she is collaborating with Chyna Lane and Winsome Sinclair (“Precious,” 2009) to bring forth “Flowers Don’t Grow in England,” a ruthless caricature telling the lives of three East London women.

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ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council (PGAHC) is an independent non-profit organization designated by the Prince George’s County government to coordinate financial support and advocacy for the arts and humanities through grants, artistic programs and creative partnerships among business, education, government and residents. http://www.pgahc.org

Hyattsville Community Development Corporation (Hyattsville CDC): The Hyattsville CDC is a 501©(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization and sustainable development of the Hyattsville community. Founded in 2001 by community activists, our mission is to develop arts, entertainment, and public spaces; spur economic development and the quality of community life; encourage widespread leadership for community revitalization; and to rebuild the City’s commercial corridors. http://www.hyattsvillecdc.org

The Creative Edge is a local film and media initiative operating under the auspices of the Hyattsville CDC and sponsored by the PGAHC. The vision is to establish Prince George’s County’s Gateway Arts & Entertainment District as an attractive, viable, creative space for emerging and professional film-makers, film production and film entertainment.

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