Maria My Love picked up by Warner Brothers

MARIA MY LOVE has recently been picked up for digital distribution by Warner Brothers Digital Distibution/Gravitas Ventures and will be available on VOD beginning April 2012. The producers will also be releasing the film internationally soon. Exciting news for the film which took home best domestic feature film at the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) last year.

First Position - New Ballet Documentary at Toronto Film Fest

In her new documentary, First Position, director Bess Kargman shows us that ballet is not for sissies. It is fiercely competitive, physically demanding, and must be mastered early. First Position follows six young aspiring dancers (ages 9-19) as they prepare for the ballet world's toughest youth competition - the Youth America Grand Prix. With exclusive access to the competition, First Position offers an inside look at the extraordinary world of ballet and the determined young dancers who try to capture a dream only a few will achieve. Though the beauty of ballet is undenialable, in First Postion we get to see the drive and struggle that make ballet the pinnacle of dance.

The film is showing at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11th and 17th.

Maria My Love wins at NYILFF

Launched in 1999, the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) is the premier Urban Latino film event in the USA, and this year Maria My Love took home the award for best domestic feature film. The award was accepted by producer Tiana Matthews. Inspired by a true story, Maria My Love is about a young woman named Ana (Judy Marte) struggling to deal with her mother's death and her father's mistakes. In an effort to feel better, she reconnects with her half-sister Grace, (Lauren Fales) and, inspired by a new boyfriend (Brian Rieger), sets out on a quest to find someone to help. Though excited and hopeful when she meets a hoarding woman named Maria (Karen Black), she encounters a situation more emotionally and morally complicated than she had expected to find. The film was written and directed by Jasmine McGlade Chazell.

Central Park Conservancy ''Film Festival''

Not to be outdone by its tiny neighbor to the south Bryant Park, Central Park has movies too... And here it is a ''Film Festival''. Music will take center stage at the ninth annual Central Park Conservancy Film Festival, which brings free movies to the heart of Manhattan for five nights, Aug. 23-27. From rock to country, the films will celebrate great musicians and the best in popular music, with each night showcasing a different musical icon.

All screenings begin at 8:00 pm, rain or shine. Gates open to the public at 6:30 pm. Guest DJs play at 6:30 pm. All movies will be closed captioned. Bring a picnic! Please note that alcoholic beverages, glass bottles, video cameras, tape recorders or flash cameras are not allowed. All bags are subject to search. (Now I know why I haven't gone before... no wine allowed - but it is a good option if you are looking for a recession-friendly cheap and sober date.)