LAKELAND, MINN. — A Minnesota teenager whose farewell song “Clouds” became an Internet sensation with nearly 3 million views on YouTube died Monday after battling a rare form of bone cancer, his family announced.

Zach Sobiech, of Lakeland, died at his home, surrounded by family and his girlfriend, according to a CaringBridge post by his mother, Laura Sobiech. He was 18.

Zach Sobiech’s family declined a request for an interview from the St. Paul Pioneer Press, but released a statement announcing his passing.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our son Zachary David Sobiech. Our family has been blessed not only by his amazing presence in our lives, but also by the love and support of our family and friends and by so many people in the community. In particular we’d like to thank those people who listened with their hearts and helped Zach bring his message and his music to the world,” the statement said.

Sobiech began writing songs of farewell to family and friends last fall. His first song, the catchy “Clouds,” inspired tributes and covers, including a celebrity video.

Sobiech was told in June 2012 that he had months — perhaps a year — to live. When a scan in October showed about 20 new lesions in his lungs, Sobiech’s mother suggested he start writing letters to say goodbye.

“I’m not good at writing letters,” Sobiech told the Pioneer Press in December. “So I figured instead, I could just write songs for people, and they might be around longer. It’s more powerful than writing a letter because a song can get stuck in your head. You find yourself humming it during the day.”

In February, Rock the Cause digitally released Sobiech’s album, “Fix Me Up,” which he co-wrote with bandmate Samantha “Sammy” Brown, and he flew to New York, where he signed with BMI, a music-rights management company that will collect royalties for him.

Proceeds from the sale of “Clouds” and Sobiech’s other songs also are going to the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund.

In addition to raising money for the fund in his name at the Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Sobiech worked to raise awareness for children suffering from his rare form of cancer.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Zach’s family and friends,” said John Hallberg, the fund’s CEO. “Zach Sobiech faced his cancer diagnosis with grace and strength. His music touched millions, and he leaves a lasting legacy that will help other young cancer patients through the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund. Zach once said, ‘You don’t have to find out you’re dying to start living.’ He taught us all how to live, and we are all better for having known him.”

Sobiech, who would have graduated from Stillwater Area High School on June 8, received his diploma early — through his family at his house in late April, according to Lind Moncrief, assistant to the principal at the high school. Counselors and support services are available for students at the school.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Church of St. Michael in Stillwater.

It’s no secret I am an avid 30 Seconds to Mars supporter. I started out liking a couple of songs years ago, but never considered myself part of the Echelon, the band’s devout fan base, until 2009. Being a novelist, I was looking for some alternative-rock music to help define not only the main male character in the book, but that character’s band, Tortured.

When I started to expand my library of 30STM songs from two to thirty-two, I realized this band actually became the soundtrack to my novel, “Dream Catchers”. That book turned into a series, and it seems with every new book, a new album comes out that follows the storyline.

Now with my latest book “Take Me Home” almost finished, I am blessed with Love, Lust, Faith + Dreams, the 4th studio album by the three-piece band consisting of brothers Jared and Shannon Leto, along with Tomo Miličević. The album doesn’t come out until May 21st, but I received a sneak peek last night at St. Peter’s Church in New York City.

The band has been playing various churches in select cities, but this particular show was even more special. First off, the show was free, not just for press—we always get in for free, but for the fans as well.

I was part of an elite crowd that was getting to hear brand new songs like their first single off the album, “Up In The Air”, “City of Angels” and “End Of All Days” for the first time. “End Of All Days” was especially fitting for a church setting, as Jared Leto sang “All we need is faith”, with a stained-glass Jesus above his head.

The crowd filling the pews of St. Peter’s was treated to an intimate, interactive and somewhat spiritual event. Leto even curbed his usual fowl mouth a bit for the evening. He bantered with his band mates, the sound guys, and called out to several audience members. “Watch your mouth or I will put you in the confessional,” he teased one person. “I give a lot of penance.”

What I especially love about going to a 30 Seconds to Mars show is how the audience fills in the missing pieces of each song performed. You may have seen an artist stop singing and hold the microphone out to the crowd, and they will fill in the lyrics. At a Mars show, there is much more to it than that. While Leto is belting out songs like “Kings And Queens” and “Hurricane”, the crowd will join in with missing background sounds.

The band’s previous album, This Is War recorded groups of people making different noises for certain songs, which translated to heavily interactive shows. With the new album, Love, Lust, Faith + Dreams, it looks like some of that will carry on as I heard the crowd filling in parts of “Up In The Air” as well.

My writing, both in journalism and in fiction, has allowed me to discover some amazing things in this world. 30 Seconds to Mars is one of those discoveries I will always cherish. No matter what your musical tastes, it’s impossible not to enjoy at least one of their songs, or fifty of them.

If you’re unfamiliar with Chris Garneau’s folk-pop-carnival fusion, like I was, you definitely should give a listen on Spotify. Some of my favorite tracks are “Dirty Night Clowns”, “Baby’s Romance” and “No More Pirates”.

The singer-songwriter performed in a sans-furniture brownstone apartment in his hometown of Brooklyn. In spite of the lack of furniture and the chintzy makeshift bar, the show filled up nicely, with little standing room remaining. I mingled with some of the guests prior to Garneau’s performance. A male couple admitted they travelled from Virginia to New York just to see the show! They also confessed they wanted to approach Chris, but were afraid to. Luckily, they didn’t have to work up the nerve. Garneau made sure to make his rounds through the crowd to either introduce himself or say hi to the familiar faces.

With the amount of critical acclaim Garneau has been receiving lately, all the while racking up devotees willing to follow him around the country, I’ll bet his sound begins to seep out at a progressive rate.

For more on Chris Garneau:
Website: www.chrisgarneau.com
Spotify: Chris Garneau
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Garneau/17645573214
Twitter: www.twitter.com/chrisgarneau

W Hotels in New York, London and Paris in collaboration with UK based underground music site Boiler Room present, Do Not Disturb, an innovative series of unique live online music broadcasts from each hotel’s E-WOW suite (W’s take on the traditional presidential suite). Each broadcast will create a dynamic musical moment featuring an eclectic mix of emerging and established artists to be viewed by thousands of fans from around the world via http://www.boilerroom.tv/live and www.whotels.com/donotdisturb, where the performance will live on for those who are unable to catch the live show.

The finale to the series which kicked off in London and continued in Paris will be at W New York Times Square’s newly renovated E-WOW suite on Thursday, April 25th with a private event featuring performances and back-to-back DJ sets by Cam’ron, Solange, Kenny Dope, Brenmar B2B MikeQ, and Pete Rock.

The event marks the launch of the $2 million renovation of W Times Square’s Extreme WOW suite and will be broadcast live offering an eclectic mix of musical talent amidst a voyeuristic view of the city that never sleeps, for music fans anywhere in the world to view. Tweet @WHotelsNYC using the hashtag #wdnd for a chance to attend the event.

W London Leicester Square saw Skream Disclosure and TEED amongst others DJ to a crowd including Cara Delevingne, Jamie Winstone, Jade Williams, and Clara Paget; and W Paris witnessed Cassius, Alan Braxe, DJ Deep & dOP. Both events drew in a live viewing of over a quarter of a million online with over 500k viewing the archive footage.

Each Do Not Disturb event draws inspiration from legendary hotel after-parties of the past and gives music fans globally an opportunity to experience these intimate hotel moments first-hand. The series honors iconic hotel after parties, though remembered for the music, not the debauchery.

“W Hotels have always drawn inspiration from emerging trends in music making the exclusive series of events with Boiler Room an ideal fit,” said Michaelangelo L’Aqua, W Hotels Global Music Director. “Beyond each event, hotel guests and fans alike can experience a sound unique to W from anywhere in the world via each online broadcast.”

“We wanted to collaborate with W because they are in key cities all around the world, they get our vibe and are into supporting new music,” said Blaise Bellville, Founder of Boiler Room.

Ward is also is set to make her mark on this year’s Record Store Day with an exclusive 7″ vinyl (shown above with a vintage photo of ZZ when she’s 11 years old), featuring two previously unreleased recordings. On the A-side is a live cut from ZZ’s sold-out show at the Troubadour and a cover of Mississippi blues singer and guitarist Son House’s song ‘Grinnin’ in Your Face.’ ZZ says about the song, “I enjoy paying homage to my love of the blues when I cover Son House at my shows.” Listen to the cover and read an interview with ZZ at Interview Magazine. On the B-side is a song that ZZ says, “makes you want to drive around listening to it on a summer night with the top down,” called ‘Everybody Wants To Be Famous,’ which is an unreleased cut from her album sessions and another collaboration with Neff-U. Listen to the song premiere at Idolator. The exclusive vinyl will be a limited release on this year’s Record Store Day, April 20.

Appearances on Good Morning America, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Conan, Last Call with Carson Daly and VH1′s “Big Morning Buzz Live,” keep ZZ in the public eye while her songs continue to be prominently featured in such hits as Nashville, The Voice, ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars and MTV’s Awkward.
ZZ Ward On Tour

5/18 Forth Worth, TX

Forth Worth Music Festival

5/24 Quincy, WA

Sasquatch Festival (The Gorge)

5/28 Boise, ID

Neurolux

5/29 Denver, CO

Bluebird Theater

5/31 Ozark, AR

Wakarusa Festival (Mulberry Mountain)

6/01 Memphis, TN

Newby’s

6/02 Mobile, AL

Soul Kitchen

6/04 Orlando, FL

The Social

6/05 Tampa, FL

Royal Room at the Ritz Ybor

6/07 Columbia, SC

New Brookland Tavern

6/08 Charleston, SC

The Pour House

6/09 Norfolk, VA

Harborfest (Town Point Park)

6/11 Harrisburg, PA

Fed Live

6/13 Burlington, VT

Higher Ground

6/14 Atlantic City, NJ

The Social [Revel Resort & Casino]

6/15 Portland, ME

Port City Music Hall

6/17 Northampton, MA

Iron Horse Music Hall

6/19 San Diego, CA

KPRI/Green Flash Series [Birch Aquarium]

6/22 Dover, DE

Firefly Festival [Dover International Speedway]

6/23 Pittsburgh, PA

Altar Bar

6/25 Grand Rapids, MI

The Pyramid Scheme

6/26 Madison, WI

Majestic Theater

6/29 Kansas City, KS

Kanrocksas [Kansas Speedway]

7/04 Milwaukee, WI

Summerfest [Henry Majer Festival Park]

7/06 Sioux City, IA

Saturday In the Park [Grandview Park]

7/08 Lansing, MI

Common Grounds [Adabo Riverfront Park]

7/20 Oakville, CA

Mondavi Winery

8/10 Burnaby, BC

Burnaby Blues & Roots [Deer Lake]

8/30 Milwaukee, WI

Harley Davidson Anniversary [Henry Majer Festival Park]

For more info, please visit:

http://www.zzward.com/

https://twitter.com/zzward

This three day camping festival presents attendees with the option of primitive camping or bringing a camper. The 700 acre park is fully equipped with restrooms, showers, water, and a convenient store for all your camping needs. With VIP already sold out it is going to be a jammed packed event, so be sure to come early to find an awesome camping spot! However, if camping is not your style you can feel free to book a room in one of the cabins or lodging units. For accommodations, check availability by contacting this phone number: 386-364-1683. This year Wanee is teaming up with Conscious Alliance to host the ‘Art that Feeds’ food drive. By bringing 20 non-perishable food items, you will receive a FREE Wanee Music Festival poster. You can turn your food into Conscious Alliance ‘Art That Feeds’ Gallery, which can be found on the map when you arrive and all donations will go to the local Food Bank of Suwannee Valley in Lake City, FL.

The weekend will pack in 35 electrifying acts, with major headliners such as the Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic and Gov’t Mule. This year WHOA Magazine will be focusing on emerging bands like Galactic and friends, Blackberry Smoke, and Les Claypools Due de Twang. Music will begin at 12:30pm on Thursday the 18th and continue through the 20th. Tickets are being sold via Live Nation and can be purchased on the Wanee Website, starting at $205.00. Prices will remain at this margin until April 8th, so hurry and purchase your tickets to one of the most epic festivals at Suwannee Park this year. For more information on ticket sales and artists visit www.waneefestival.com.

Driven by heavy-hitting electro rhythms, pulsing beats, and sing-along choruses, Dragonette’s music packs a mean punch. From emotion-packed ballads to fist-pumping anthems, Bodyparts takes listeners on a wild ride. Be sure to catch the band live when they join forces with The Presets, for what’s sure to be an infectious and dynamic live show!

Dragonette Tour w/ The Presets:
5/5: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
5/7: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
5/8: New York, NY @ Terminal 5
5/9: Montreal, QC @ Le National
5/10: Toronto, ON @ Danforth
5/12: Indianapolis, IN @ Vogue
5/13: Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
5/14: Madison, WI @ Majestic
5/15: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
5/17: Lawrence, MO @ Granada Theatre
5/18: Denver, CO @ Ogden
5/19: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
5/20: Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee
5/21: Los Angeles, CA @ The Avalon
5/24: San Francisco, CA @ The Fox Theater

SANTA MONICA, CA— Every nine seconds, a woman in the U.S. is sexually assaulted or beaten. One out of every 4 girls and one out of every 6 boys are sexually abused by the time they reach 18 years old. The American Medical Association describes child sexual abuse as a silent, violent epidemic.
ShockBoxTV is hosting a Benefit Concert, with proceeds from the event donated to CATS (Center for Assault Treatment Services.) This Los Angeles-based, non-profit organization’s mission is to raise awareness, promote dignity and respect for victims of sexual abuse and assault, minimize their trauma, and provide law enforcement with the evidentiary documentation needed to prosecute offenders and keep them off the streets.
Three amazing bands will perform at the benefit concert, all-female tributes to rock music’s most legendary heroes. Lady Zep embodies the songs and spirit of super-group Led Zeppelin; Allison Chains pays tribute to grunge-rock mavens Alice in Chains; and Lynette Skynyrd captures the essence of iconic band Lynyrd Skynyrd. This is the FIRST TIME three professional all-female tribute bands will share the same stage in a turbo-charged rock concert extravaganza!
WHEN: Saturday, February 23, 2013 @ 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Dakota Music Lounge, 1026 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica 90401
COST: $20 suggested donation at the door
The band performances will also be broadcast via “live-stream” on the web!
About the Center for Assault Treatment Services (CATS): Founded in 1997, Northridge Hospital Medical Center’s CATS program is a 24 hour, 7 day-a-week program for victims of sexual abuse and assault of all ages. CATS works with law enforcement, child protective services and the District Attorney’s office to assist with the collection of evidence, proper reporting of abuse and follow-up investigation. CATS also collaborates with local rape crisis centers to provide advocates and post abuse treatment for victims. Find CATS online at www.abuse-assaultservices.org.
About ShockBoxTV: ShockBoxTV is an Internet content channel, the brainchild of die-hard music fans Matt Prater and James Tuverson. Driven by a social media fan-base, ShockBoxTV promotes and supports “everything indie music” from all over the world. Launching in late 2012 and sporting over 40,000 fans on its Facebook and Twitter pages, ShockBoxTV develops content directly from its audience, putting independent musicians in the spotlight. ShockBoxTV also produces live music events throughout Los Angeles to benefit non-profit organizations. Find ShockBoxTV online at www.ShockBoxTV.com.
More Information:

James Tuverson, Executive Producer Matt Prater, Executive Producer
Email: james@shockboxtv.com Email: matt@shockboxtv.com
Phone: (310) 497-9809 Phone: (310) 699-2531

Sofia Talvik was born on an island just off the west coast of Sweden. At the tender age of eighteen she left behind the comfort of home for the bright lights and lonely nights of Stockholm where every experience, good and bad, would soon take the form of a beautiful, funny or heartbreaking story destined to capture the hearts and minds of all who would hear the words when set to Sofia’s gentle, melodic acoustic guitar and minimalist back up of cellos, double bass and soft percussion.

Sofia’s debut album Blue Moon was released in 2005 to much critical acclaim followed by Street of Dreams in 2007 which features a duet with indie pop icon Bernard Butler from British band Suede, released on her then newly formed record label Makaki Music. Continuing a steady pace of releasing albums Sofia released her album Jonestown, named after the tragic 1978 event in Jonestown, Gyuana, 2008, and was the first Swedish female artist to play the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago, that same year.

US indie distributer CD Baby wrote “It’s not often that an album takes your breath away, and I hate to sound hyperbolic, but “Florida” actually has several “Oh my god!” moments of sheer beauty.” about Sofia Talvik’s 2010 release Florida, and album inspired by spending a few hot summer months in Florida in 2009.

Sofia who toured the US several times from her first success at the Lollapalooza festival in 2008 has been invited to officially showcase at SxSW 3 years as well as to The Folk Alliance International Conference in 2012, is now on a two year tour of the US promoting her 5th release The Owls Are Not What They Seem. She’s been noted in media all over the US for her impeccable live performances and captivating stage presence, and recently released her first Daytrotter session.

Discography
The Owls Are Not What They Seem (2012)
L.O.V.E (EP suite 2011)
H.A.T.E (EP suite 2011)
Florida (2010)
Florida Acoustic (2010)
Jonestown (2008)
Street of Dreams (2007)
Blue Moon (2005)

Together, her voice and her instrumentals form a complimentary balance, creating a sound that is uniquely her own and one that has universal appeal. Lindsey has been writing and performing her own music since she was 12 years old. She released her debut EP “Nothing Normal” at the age of 18 with Drew Sherrod at Broadstroke Records/Non-Linear Productions located in Hollywood C.A. Drew and Lindsey met at the Durango Songwriters Expo in 2011 at the suggestion of Expo
showcase artists, managers and staff. Her association with Broadstroke Records has enabled collaboration with notable artists such as Lisa Harriton (Smashing Pumpkins), Jason Ganberg, Gayle Day, Ido Sasson and Alex Balderston.

Associations with Dr. Scott Martin, founder of the Academy of the Arts in Denver, and Lee Johnson, Colorado NSAI chapter Coordinator, continue to develop Lindsey’s writing, performing and recording skills. She is currently working towards releasing her second CD and planning an
upcoming national tour.
Release Date: October 5th
2012
Track Listing
1. Change My Mind
2. Take Me Out
3. Make or Break Us
4. That Way
5. We’re Never Through

Go to facebook.com/lindseysaundersmusic

Hunter & The Dirty Jacks have announced that the Los Angeles-based band is putting forth a weekly residency every Tuesday starting January 8th, 2013 at Harvelle’s Santa Monica. The residency will consist of a night of blues based rock and roll performed by Hunter & The Dirty Jacks. In addition, the residency will be a charity drive to raise money, food, and instruments for the homeless, hungry, as well as teach homeless and foster children music.

There are approximately 250,000 homeless people in Los Angeles County, including 30,000 homeless in Santa Monica. Hunter & The Dirty Jacks are teaming up with Harvelle’s as well as the charities Feed Your Soul and Magic Music Foundation to raise awareness in order to help the underprivileged in the community. Every Tuesday, the cover charge will be pledged towards the charities. Additional donations are welcome. Also, two non-perishable food items or a musical instrument can be pledged at the door for admission.

Hunter Ackerman, frontman for Hunter & The Dirty Jacks said “In order to see the change in the world you want to see, you must be the change”. Jon Siembieda, co-founder for Hunter & The Dirty Jacks, added “This is a tremendous need right in our backyards. Los Angeles County has the highest amount of homeless people in the United States. We want to do more to reach out and take care of those that are fallen under hard times among us in the community.”

Hunter and The Dirty Jacks comprise a virtual all-star cast of Los Angeles and Orange County-area musicians that have been playing locally and regionally for over ten years apiece. Fronted by lead singer and multi-instrumentalist Hunter Ackerman, and anchored by Jon Siembieda and Sean Soto on guitar, Aaron Barnes on bass, and Brian Lara on drums, the Dirty Jacks put forth an extremely high energy, emotionally compelling performance coupled with a rare combination of soulful originals and tasty covers. The sound is rock and roll with a soul and blues edge, ala the Black Keys, Rolling Stones, Black Crowes, and Jet. The band is very seasoned for all players being in the late 20s and early 30s. The Dirty Jacks debuted at House of Blues Sunset Strip on 9/29/12 to a resounding success. In addition, the band is scheduled to play several gigs in the near future, including a mini tour of Northern California at the end of January, with additional shows in the works. The bandmates collectively have experience playing several casinos in and out of state, House of Blues Sunset, House of Blues Anaheim, Coach House, Harvelle’s, Observatory, Detroit Bar, and many other venues. The bandmates have collectively shared bills with bands of the likes of Tommy Castro, Eric Sardinas, Dave Mason, Walter Trout, Cinderella, Led Zepagain, Wayward Sons, Wild Child Child, War, and many others.

# # #

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Jon Siembieda, please call 714.206.5720 or email jon@hunterandthedirtyjacks.com.

We just found out today that Train was mentioned in James Moore’s new book Your Band is a Virus Expanded Edition here is what James had to say

“WHOA Magazine – www.whoamagazine.co Ever since I first started working with WHOA Magazine, the drive and enthusiasm of CEO Anthony “Train” Caruso has blown me away. They are one of the few publications at their level who are genuinely open to independent artists. In fact, they fill their pages with them as well as interview them every weekday on their WHOA 100 Radio show. With the new WHOA Label launched, there’s no stopping this company”.

Moore, James (2012-11-25). Your Band Is A Virus – Expanded Edition (Kindle Locations 3305-3308). James Moore. Kindle Edition.

Contact: Elise Freimuth, Film Independent
Tel: 310.432.1287 or efreimuth@filmindependent.org

Gina Lang, Ginsberg/Libby
Tel: 323.645.6800 or gina.lang@ginsberglibby.com

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR 2012 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL

Pocas Pascoal’s All is Well and Everardo González’s Drought
Win Jury Awards

Benh Zeitlin’s Beasts of the Southern Wild, Sara Lamm & Mary Wigmore’s Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin and The Farm Midwives and
Malik Bendjelloul’s Searching for Sugar Man Win Audience Awards

Best Performance, Short Film and Music Video Award Winners
Also Revealed

LOS ANGELES (June 24, 2012) – Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Spirit Awards, announced the jury and audience award winners for the 2012 Festival at the Awards Brunch, hosted by CHAYA Downtown for the third year. Actors Jon Heder and Ari Graynor were on hand to present the awards. The LA Film Fest, presented by Film Independent and Host Venue Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 and presenting media sponsor Los Angeles Times, ran from Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, June 24 in downtown Los Angeles.

“Every single filmmaker in this year’s Festival deserves kudos for their artistry and compelling stories. Our juries had such gems to choose from in each competition and the winners truly represent what we hold dear—diversity and uniqueness of vision,” said Festival Director Stephanie Allain.

The two top juried awards of the Los Angeles Film Festival are the Narrative Award and Documentary Award, each carrying an unrestricted $15,000 cash prize, funded by Film Independent, for the winning film’s director. The awards were established by the Festival to encourage independent filmmakers to pursue their artistic ambitions.

“In an extremely competitive year, our juries had hard choices to make. The winning films are wonderful examples of what the Festival celebrates: bold, fresh, personal visions that expand the horizons of independent cinema,” said Artistic Director David Ansen.

The Narrative Award recognizes the finest narrative film in competition at the Festival and went to Pocas Pascoal for the North American Premiere of All is Well, with an Honorable Mention going to Dominga Sotomayor’s Thursday Till Sunday. The Documentary Award recognizes the finest documentary film in competition at the Festival and went to Everardo González for the US Premiere of Drought.

The award for Best Performance in the Narrative Competition went to Wendell Pierce, Emory Cohen, E.J. Bonilla and Aja Naomi King for their performances in the World Premiere of Joshua Sanchez’s Four. Given to an actor or actors from an official selection in the Narrative Competition, this is the ninth year the award has been given at the Festival.

The LA Film Fest also awarded an unrestricted $5,000 cash prize to each short film category. The award for Best Narrative Short Film went to The Chair, directed by Grainger David. The award for Best Documentary Short Film went to Josh Gibson for Kudzu Vine. Joseph Pierce’s The Pub won for Best Animated or Experimental Short Film.

The Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature went to Beasts of the Southern Wild, directed by Benh Zeitlin and the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature went to Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin and The Farm Midwives, directed by Sara Lamm and Mary Wigmore. Searching for Sugar Man, directed by Malik Bendjelloul won the Audience Award for Best International Feature.

The Audience Award for Best Short Film went to Asad, directed by Bryan Buckley. Piranhas Club, directed by Lex Halaby won the Audience Award for Best Music Video.

The Narrative Feature Competition jury was comprised of actress Rachael Harris (Natural Selection, Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies), actor/writer/producer/director Robert Townsend (Hollywood Shuffle, The Five Heartbeats) and film critic Sheri Linden (LAFCA, The Hollywood Reporter, The Los Angeles Times). The Documentary Feature Competition jury was comprised of producer Heather Rae (Frozen River, The Dry Land), producer Karin Chien (Circumstance, The Exploding Girl) and director Mark Landsman (Thunder Soul). The Shorts Competition Jury was comprised of film critic and author Ernest Hardy (Blood Beats Vols. 1 and 2), cinematographer Nancy Schreiber (Your Friends and Neighbors, The Celluloid Closet) and writer/director/editor Javier Fuentes León (Contracorriente).

Now in its eighteenth year, the Los Angeles Film Festival is recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best in new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world. The 2012 Festival screened nearly 200 feature films, shorts and music videos, representing more than 30 countries.

The LA Film Fest kicked off on Thursday, June 14 with the North American Premiere of Woody Allen’s To Rome With Love, sponsored by Virgin America, and will close tonight with the World Premiere of Steven Soderbergh’s Magic Mike, sponsored by Volkswagen of America. Gala Screenings included the World Premieres of Alex Kurtzman’s People Like Us, Lorene Scafaria’s Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, LA premieres of Benh Zeitlin’s Beasts of the Southern Wild and Ava DuVernay’s Middle of Nowhere. The 2012 Guest Director was William Friedkin and Artists in Residence were composer Danny Elfman, sponsored by Regal Entertainment Group and IRIS from Cirque du Soleil®, musician Raphael Saadiq and chef Michael Voltaggio.

Located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, the newest CHAYA combines urban chic and European sensibility with Japanese hospitality. CHAYA Downtown features a lively bar, lounge and sushi bar that sit off the main dining room and look out into the large garden patio. CHAYA Downtown is proud to return as sponsor and host of the Los Angeles Film Festival Awards Brunch for a third year and offer its delectable cuisine to filmmakers and VIPs.
****

Awards were given out in the following categories:

Narrative Award (for Best Narrative Feature)

Winner: All is Well directed by Pocas Pascoal
Producer: Luis Correia
Cast: Ciomara Morais, Cheila Lima, William Brandao, Vera Cruz

Film Description: (Portugal) Strangers in a strange land, two beautiful Angolan sisters fleeing a civil war in their homeland struggle to survive in Lisbon. Pocas Pascoal’s deeply personal saga shows us the face of exile with quietly stunning power.

The Narrative Award carries an unrestricted cash prize of $15,000 funded by Film Independent, offering the financial means to help filmmakers transfer their vision to the screen. The award recognizes the finest narrative film in competition, and is given to the director. A special jury selects the winner, and all narrative feature-length films screening in the Narrative Competition section were eligible.

In bestowing Pocas Pascoal with the Narrative Award, the Jury stated:

“All is Well, a Lisbon-set exploration of the immigrant experience and, especially, of the bond between siblings, is a work of striking visual eloquence and emotional honesty. As sisters navigating a new country, together and separately, Cheila Lima and Ciomara Morais deliver performances of searing intimacy. Filmmaker Pocas Pascoal has transformed her personal story of exile from Angola into a deeply affecting drama, whose cinematic power if particularly impressive in the work of a first-time feature director.”

****

Honorable Mention (for Best Narrative Feature)

Film Title: Thursday till Sunday directed by Dominga Sotomayor
Producers: Gregorio González, Benjamin Domenech
Cast: Santi Ahumada, Emiliano Freifeld, Francisco Pérez-Bannen, Paola Giannini

Film Description: (Chile) With uncommon beauty and style, this Chilean road movie finds a family at a crossroads, as the daughter slowly realizes the divide between the adults in the front seat and the kids in back.

In bestowing Dominga Sotomayor with an Honorable Mention, the Jury stated:

“Thursday Till Sunday masterfully uses landscape to convey interpersonal dynamics with keen sensitivity and insight. Unease and awakening are indelibly entwined in the film’s deceptively simple family road trip, creating a nuanced and elegiac coming-of-age story. The debut feature of Chilean writer-director Dominga Sotomayor is evidence of an exciting new talent.”

****

Documentary Award (for Best Documentary Feature)

Winner: Drought directed by Everardo González
Producer: Martha Orozco

Film Description: (Mexico) Contrasting the lives of a cattle-ranching community with the arid northeastern Mexican landscape that surrounds them, this cinéma vérité documentary paints a poetic portrait of a community on the verge of distinction.

The Documentary Award carries an unrestricted cash prize of $15,000 funded by Film Independent, offering the financial means to help filmmakers transfer their vision to the screen. The award recognizes the finest documentary film in competition, and is given to the director. A special jury selects the winner, and all documentary feature-length films screening in the Documentary Competition section were eligible.

In bestowing Everardo González with the Documentary Award, the Jury stated:

“The jury found Drought to be a film of extraordinary caliber—epic in scope, keen and intimate in its observational perspective, beautifully filmed and edited with a sparse and affecting soundscape. Through this powerful film, the story of a remote Mexican community grappling with a growing drought becomes a universal parable and an alarming harbinger.”

****

Best Performance in the Narrative Competition

Winner: Wendell Pierce, Emory Cohen, E.J. Bonilla and Aja Naomi King in Joshua Sanchez’s Four.

Film Description: Over the course of a steamy 4th of July night, a father and daughter, each trapped in loneliness, reach out for sexual connection — he with a self-hating teenage boy, she with a smooth-talking wannabe homeboy — in this psychologically complex, beautifully acted drama.

In bestowing the actors with the Best Performance, the Jury stated:

“Commanding and utterly unforced, the ensemble cast of Joshua Sanchez’s Four inhabit their characters with compelling specificity. At the same time, their pitch-perfect collaborative energy honors and deepens the tone of the material. As lonely individuals in various states of crisis, Wendell Pierce, Emory Cohen, E.J. Bonilla and Aja Naomi King are fearless in the vulnerability they bring to their roles.”

****

Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature

Winner: Beasts of the Southern Wild, directed by Benh Zeitlin
Producers: Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey, Josh Penn
Cast: Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry

Film Description: This stunningly imaginative, boldly original film follows six-year-old Hushpuppy as she fights to protect her father and their unique way of life in a remote, dreamlike area of the Delta threatened by apocalyptic floods.

This award is given to the narrative feature audiences liked most as voted by a tabulated rating system. Select narrative feature-length films screening in the following sections were eligible for the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature: Narrative Competition, International Showcase, Summer Showcase, Community Screenings and The Beyond.

****

Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature

Winner: Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin and The Farm Midwives, directed by Sara Lamm and Mary Wigmore
Producers: Sara Lamm, Mary Wigmore, Kate Roughan, Zachary Mortensen
Featuring: Ina May Gaskin, Stephen Gaskin, Pamela Hunt, Farm Midwives past and present, Kristina Kennedy Davis

Film Description: Ina May Gaskin and the courageous midwives of the Farm commune inspired the modern midwifery movement. This beguiling documentary tells their empowering story with depth, intelligence and wit.

This award is given to the documentary feature audiences liked most as voted by a tabulated rating system. Select documentary feature-length films screening in the following sections were eligible for the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature: Documentary Competition, International Showcase, Summer Showcase and Community Screenings.

****

Audience Award for Best International Feature

Winner: Searching for Sugar Man directed by Malik Bendjelloul
Producers: Simon Chinn, Malik Bendjelloul
Featuring: Rodriguez

Film Description: Years after facing into obscurity at home, the music of ‘70s U.S. singer/songwriter Rodriguez became an underground sensation in South Africa. Decades after his disappearance, two fans uncover the startling truth behind the legend.

This award is given to the international feature audiences liked most as voted by a tabulated rating system. Select international feature-length films, both narrative and documentary, screening in the following sections were eligible for the Audience Award for Best International Feature: Narrative Competition, Documentary Competition, International Showcase, Summer Showcase and The Beyond.

****

Best Narrative Short Film

Winner: The Chair directed by Grainger David
Producers: Spencer Kiernan, Caroline Oliveira
Cast: Khari Lucas, King Hoey, Martha F. Brown

Description: A young boy questions the origins of a mysterious mold outbreak that threatens to destroy his town.

In bestowing Grainger David with the Best Narrative Short Film Award, the Jury stated:

“Grainger David’s narrative short, The Chair, is a lyrical, gorgeous meditation on death, grief and resilience as filtered through a young boy’s fluid memory. Set in the humid American south, and filmed on landscapes that are familiar, on one hand, and rendered as poetic dreamscapes, on the other, the short film is ultimately a moving coming-of-age film in which a family tragedy nudges its young protagonist to muse on matters that have concerned great minds throughout the ages — religion, family, morality, and the ways in which we are all connected.”

****

Best Documentary Short Film

Winner: Kudzu Vine directed & produced by Josh Gibson

Description: This ode to the kudzu vine poetically highlights its ties to the history and the people of the South.

In bestowing Josh Gibson with the Best Documentary Short Film Award, the Jury stated:

“Quite often, documentary filmmakers take a literal, visually straightforward approach to their subject matter, sidestepping experimentation with the language of cinema. Director Josh Gibson’s Kudzu Vine was not only filled with information on the sturdy kudzu vine —it’s history; the many and unexpected uses for it — but employed a visual style perched somewhere between gothic and otherworldly. Hugely educational and wonderfully stylistic, Kudzu Vine is this year’s winner for Best Documentary Short.”

****

Best Animated/Experimental Short Film

Winner: The Pub directed by Joseph Pierce
Producer: Mark Grimmer

Description: (England) Life isn’t easy behind the counter of a North London pub.

In bestowing Mark Grimmer with the Best Animated or Experimental Short Film Award, the Jury stated:

“The jury prize for best animated/experimental short goes to Joseph Pierce’s The Pub, a haunting portrayal of everyday life in a bar in North London, seen through the eyes of a lonely bartender. At times, striking beautiful and at times, terrifyingly grotesque, the imaginative and exquisite use of animation gives the film its depth and opens up a door into the humanity of the regular characters of this joint — loners, drunks, old-timers — letting us peak for an instant into their souls and the demons that hover around them.

****

Audience Award for Best Short Film

Winner: Asad directed by Bryan Buckley
Producers: Bryan Buckley, Mino Jarjoura, Rafiq Samsodien, Matt Lefebvre, Kevin Byrne, Hank Perlman
Cast: Harun Mohammed, Ibrahim Moalim Hussein, Ali Mohammed, Abdiwale Mohmed Mohamed, Mariya Abdulle, Najah Abdi Abdullahi, Mustafa Olad Dirie, Mohamed Abdullahi Abdikher, Abdi, Sidow Farah, Sahied Nuur Mahamed, Ahmed Dhadane Jimale, Hussein Abdi Mohamed, Isa, Mohamed Abdul, Ikram Hassan, Yasmin Abdi Mohamed, Maymum Abdi Mohamed, Sadia Hassan, Meade Nichol

Description: A young boy in a war-torn Somalian village faces a moral dilemma.

Awarded to the short film audiences liked most as voted on by a tabulated rating system. Short films screening in the Shorts Programs or before Narrative Competition, Documentary Competition, or International Showcase feature-length screenings were eligible for the Audience Award for Best Short Film.

****

Audience Award for Best Music Video

Winner: Piranhas Club directed by Lex Halaby
Music: Man Man

This award is given to the music video audiences liked most as voted on by a tabulated rating system.

To download images and clips from the winning films, please visit www.lafilmfest.com and click on Press, then Press Materials.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL
Now in its eighteenth year, the Los Angeles Film Festival, supported by L.A. LIVE and The Los Angeles Times, is widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best in new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to some of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world.

The Festival features unique signature programs including the Filmmaker Retreat, Poolside Chats, Coffee Talks, Music Events and more. Additionally, the Festival screens short films created by high school students and has a special section devoted to music videos.

Nearly 200 features, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries, make up the main body of the Festival.

The Festival hosts juried cash awards for best narrative and documentary features, best narrative, documentary and animated short film, and a jury award for best performance in the narrative competition. Audience awards are also presented to best documentary, narrative and international feature, short film and music video.

The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented in conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times, Premier sponsor Virgin America and Platinum sponsors Kodak, Stella Artois, Melrose MAC, Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group and EFILM, HBO, Volkswagen of America, Canon U.S.A., Inc., Nokia and Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Special support is provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and FOCUS FORWARD – a partnership between GE and CINELAN. The Official Screening Venue is Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14. Jameson® Irish Whiskey is the official spirit, Stella Artois is the official beer, vitaminwater is the official water and E&J Gallo Winery is the official wine purveyor. The Los Angeles Athletic Club is the Official Host Hotel and Virgin America is the Official Airline Partner. WireImage is the Official Photography Agency and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent.

More information can be found at www.LAFilmFest.com

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional, or a film lover.

Film Independent produces the Spirit Awards, the annual celebration honoring artist-driven films and recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers. Film Independent also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, showcasing the best of American and international cinema and the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent’s Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year-round networking opportunities. Project Involve is Film Independent’s signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.

####

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

June 6, 2012

Memphis College of Art Student Wins Prestigious Graduate Scholarship Award
Yeinier Gonzalez Recognized for Work Documenting His Family’s Pursuit of the American Dream

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis College of Art is proud to announce that graduating senior Yeinier Gonzalez is one of the recipients of the 2012 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Arts Award. The Foundation selected 15 individuals from across the United States to receive graduate arts awards of up to $50,000 per year for up to three years of study, and Gonzalez received the maximum award.

Gonzalez, who graduated with a BFA in photography and a minor in art history in May, will use this award to supplement another prestigious scholarship when he attends Columbia College of Chicago in the fall. In addition to being accepted into Columbia’s Photo Program, which ranks 10th in the nation, Gonzalez also was awarded the Follet Merit Award based on the quality of his portfolio. This renewable award provides a 70 percent discount on tuition, the remainder of which will be covered by the Jack Kent Cooke award.

“I think what’s so interesting is that he doesn’t know how special he is – he’s a very earnest and humble person,” says Haley Morris-Cafiero, assistant professor and Photography Department head at Memphis College of Art. “Not a lot of people have heard of the Jack Kent Cooke award, but it’s bigger than a Fulbright scholarship – and more money. With only 15 being awarded throughout all of the humanities, it’s really competitive, and it’s great that this award has put Yeinier and Memphis College of Art on a list with students from other standout schools across the nation, like Stanford, Howard, New York University and Rhode Island School of Design. We are very proud of him.”

This is the first time Memphis College of Art has applied for the Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Arts Award, and this is the first-ever winner from any school in Memphis.

“Mr. Cooke was always a big supporter of the arts,” says Dr. Lawrence Kutner, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “This program allows us to support the next generation of talented young artists, like Yeinier Gonzalez, who might not otherwise be able to afford this level of training.”

Gonzalez came to Memphis College of Art in Fall 2008 after graduating with honors from Bolton High School. His promising talent caused Memphis College of Art to offer him multiple scholarships, without which he never would have been able to attend.

(cont.)
Gonzalez moved to America from Cuba in 1995 with his brother, parents and paternal grandparents. His father, being an extremely active member of the human rights movement against Castro, risked his life to bring his family to the United States in search of a brighter future. They came here as political refugees through Associated Catholic Charities based here in Memphis, which procured housing for the family and schooling for the boys. Gonzalez says his parents struggled to find jobs, with the language barrier holding them back. Later, his parents divorced, and his father continued to grapple with acclimating to society.

Much of Gonzalez’s work focuses on documenting his parents’ struggle, the house he grew up in, and how it changed after his mother left.

“It’s not always the idealized ‘American Dream’ that everyone envisions – the cultural shock hits you very hard,” says Gonzalez. “My work documents the unresolved struggles that many immigrants face. Going through this has made me want to continue my studies and my work and make something better for myself.

“Going to grad school at Columbia offers so many opportunities for extending my portfolio. The faculty there is exceptional, and the program is very influential in the field of social documentary photography. I want to expand my work beyond my own family, and I hope to contribute to a better awareness of certain cultural issues and ethnicities,” continues Gonzalez. “I would like to concentrate my work on the Hispanic community because it’s part of my story and my family’s history of immigration here. The ins and outs and personal struggles that these people go through are not documented the way that they should be. There is so much rich history there that is left unsaid. And an image is worth a thousand words – I can say a lot with my work.”

Memphis College of Art provides a rigorous curriculum in an intimate, diverse community to empower generations of leading artists, designers and educators to flourish professionally and contribute valuable ideas to society. The region’s only independent art and design college, MCA is fully accredited with expert, nationally renowned faculty and grants BFA, MFA, MA in Art Education and MA in Teaching degrees with graduates excelling in various careers across the country and internationally. For more information, visit mca.edu.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is a private, independent nonprofit established in 2000 by the estate of Jack Kent Cooke to help low-income youth of exceptional promise reach their full potential through education. The Foundation’s programs include the largest scholarships in the U.S. for community college transfer students, scholarships to college and graduate students, individualized educational support for high school students, and grants to organizations that serve high-achieving students with financial need. For more information, visit www.jkcf.org.

To see more of Yeinier Gonzalez’s work, please visit www.yeiniergonzalez.com.

###

ART available:
*Papi Watching TV.jpg
This photo is from Yeinier Gonzalez’s series titled “Within These Walls,” which was submitted with his application for the Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Arts Award.

“Charles Addams was born in Westfield, New Jersey, attended Colgate University, The University of Pennsylvania, and Grand Central School of Art in New York City.
His work, almost in its entirety, has been published in The New Yorker for the last twenty-two years and has resulted in three previous books: Drawn and Quartered, Addams and Evil, and Monster Rally.
He works mostly in New York City in what looks like an unsuccessful private eye’s office. Practically nothing is accomplished in his house at Westhampton Beach on Long Island. He has owned a series of sports cars and collects medieval crossbows.
Addams daydreams almost constantly and, in his own view, is generally quite lazy.”