"My Brother" Sweeps the Harlem Int'l Film Festival Awards

News Flash

At its second festival and New York premiere, my film My Brother has swept the awards at the Harlem International Film Festival. The Movie won the Best Picture Audience Award, Best Actor for Nashawn Kearse, and Best Actress for Vanessa Williams.

Because I cant resist, here is the press release, (and its easier than writing something clever - I drafted the release late last nite, so if its got errors, lemme know),

LIBERTY ARTISTS’ “MY BROTHER” SWEEPS HARLEM INT’L FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS, WINNING AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST PICTURE, BEST ACTOR (NASHAWN KEARSE) AND BEST ACTRESS (VANESSA WILLIAMS)

My Brother to be released in theatres Jan/Feb 2007!

(New York, New York- July 2006) – The Harlem International Film Festival has awarded Liberty Artists’ production of writer-director and Academy Award nominee Anthony Lover’s “My Brother,” the Audience Award for Best Picture, as well as the Best Actor Award for Nashawn Kearse and the Best Actress Award for Vanessa Williams. The Award marks the Picture’s second top award in its second festival screening.

“My Brother” was previously awarded the Grand Jury Prize for Best Picture at the American Black Film Festival, its first festival screening. In addition, the ABFF also presented “My Brother” star Christoper Scott the Founder’s Award for his work in the film. Christopher is the first African American actor with a severe developmental disability (Christopher has Downs Syndrome) ever to win a major film award.

"My Brother" was produced by Gregory Segal, Gingi Rochelle and Leslie Ann Fouche. The director of photography is John Sawyer. Michael Malagiero executive produced.

The film, which will be marketed in conjunction with the Special Olympics (headed by Tim Shriver) and the National Institute for People With Disabilities (headed by Phil Levy), is expected to hit movie theaters in January 2007.

Liberty Artists has taken a new approach to filmmaking for the African American audience, creating films that touch on the African American experience in a meaningful and spiritual way. My Brother is a unique, compelling story about two underprivileged brothers from Brooklyn, New York, their quest to develop as young men, and retain their commitment to one another.

In the starring role, Nashawn Kearse (as Isaiah) shines, handsome yet vulnerable, as a new face to audiences, but one who is on his way to become very familiar. Nashawn has been seen recently as Caleb Applewhite on Desperate Housewives.

Vanessa Williams, a star of stage, screen, and radio, can be seen on ABC’s hit Ugly Betty, opposite America Ferrara.

Tatum O’Neal (as love interest, Erica), the youngest Academy-Award-winning actress in history, will be seen upcoming in the lead role on “Art of Betrayal” from MyNetworkTV and Fox Television.