‘Love, Barack’: “Lol…. Obama ko bhi nahi chhoda.”

Bollywood star actress Mallika Sherawat, lying along side Hollywood actor Laz Alonso, draped in the American flag. And the punchline reads, ‘Politics make strange bed fellows’.

mallika-barack

The poster of Love Barack was unveiled at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival.

In the film directed by American filmmaker Doug McHenry, Mallika plays a volunteer on Obama’s team who falls for her Republican counterpart (Alonso).

Lindsay Lohan’s Trip to 63rd Cannes Film Festival

Lindsay Lohan

Fun loving American actress Lindsay Lohan was sighted at two exclusive luxury yacht parties at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival. The first was the Chopard 150th Anniversary Party at the Palm Beach, Pal Palm Beach, Pointe Croisette on May 17 and another one last Friday night on the 21st. Lindsay was at the Cannes for the publicity of Inferno the film in which she has been cast as Linda Lovelace the 70s porn star star of Deep Throat. But she returned to the United State the following day Saturday to face a legal case after a Angeles judge issued an arrest warrant for Lindsay Lohan last Thursday, because she failed to appear for a court hearing on her 2007 drink-driving case. Her attorney Shawn Chapman Holley said she would have been at the hearing, but her passport was stolen in Cannes.

“The fact is she intended to be here today, she had a ticket to be here, her passport was stolen, she’s filled out a police report in Cannes and as far as I’m concerned she had a valid reason for not being here,” Holley said.

Lindsay had to pay a $100000 bail to avoid being jailed.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

Grey Partners With Yoko Ono In Music Seminar At Cannes

21 May 2010 16:26 Africa/Lagos

Grey Partners With Yoko Ono In Music Seminar At Cannes

Multimedia Icon to Discuss Her Innovative Music and Art, Branding and the State of Music Today

Yoko Ono

NEW YORK, May 21 /PRNewswire/ — Grey New York announced today that its fourth annual Music Seminar with Living Legends will feature Yoko Ono on Friday, June 25, at the Debussy. The 2010 Cannes event follows three years of high popularity for the Grey music seminar with legends Stevie Van Zandt in 2009, Tony Bennett in 2008, and John Legend and Donavan in 2007.

Yoko Ono is multimedia artist who constantly challenges the traditional boundaries of art, known for her groundbreaking conceptual and performance pieces, experimental films and music.

In Grey’s annual seminar on music and its place in marketing communications, Yoko Ono will discuss today’s music scene and the impact on brands and bands, her own adventurous music and performance art created over a high-profile lifetime, perhaps never as critically appreciated as it is today, and her extraordinary life with John Lennon and raising her musician son Sean Lennon.

Yoko will be interviewed by Tim Mellors, Worldwide Creative Director of Grey Group, and introduced by Josh Rabinowitz, Director of Music, Grey New York.

“Yoko Ono needs no introduction to anyone touched by the music scene for more than 40 years,” said Mellors, former President of the Cannes Festival and multiple Cannes Lion winner. “Her marriage to and influence on John Lennon is legendary. The famous ‘bed in’ in Amsterdam, and the interview from inside a bag were direct extensions of Yoko’s early art happenings in the Fluxus group. Her deep knowledge of the alternative music scene and people like John Cage, the founder of Fluxus, are seldom given the credit due for their influence on Lennon’s solo career.”

About music’s relevance to advertising, Josh Rabinowitz, who is also an adjunct professor at The New School said, “Advertising is a new form of the music label. The most popular song in America, as well as around the world, is as likely to come out of a brand’s advertising as it is from a record. It is a brave new world for musicians and Yoko Ono, who packs the room at 77 and won MOJO magazine’s 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award, has braved new frontiers over her entire life. She will no doubt provide a unique perspective on sustaining a brand both for musicians and marketers.”

About Grey

Grey Group, famously effective since 1917, ranks among the largest global communications companies. Its parent company is WPP (NASDAQ:WPPGY) . Grey Group’s total offering includes Grey, one of the largest global advertising agency networks; G2, its global activation marketing network; healthcare communications; media planning and buying and public relations. Grey New York’s client roster includes many of the world’s best known companies; Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, BAT, Diageo, Darden Restaurants, Wyeth, Canon, 3M, Eli Lilly, Dairy Queen and ETrade. Grey New York is the flagship and largest office of Grey.

About the 57th International Advertising Festival June 20-26 20010 in Cannes, France.

The Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival is the world’s biggest celebration of creativity in communications. As the most prestigious international advertising awards, more than 22,500 entries from all over the world are showcased and judged at the Festival. Winners receive the highly coveted Lion trophy, presented at four award ceremonies throughout the week.

The Festival is also the only truly global meeting place for advertisers, advertising and communication professionals. Over 6,000 delegates from 90 countries attend seven days of workshops, exhibitions, screenings, master classes and high-profile seminars by the likes of Sir Martin Sorrell, Bob Greenberg, Kofi Annan, Steve Ballmer, Biz Stone, Maurice Levy, Bob Geldof, Mark Tutssel and Tham Khai Meng.

The networking and learning opportunity of the year, Cannes Lions is the must-attend event for anyone involved in brand communication.

For further information, please visit www.canneslions.com or contact:
Amanda Benfell, PR & Press Manager
Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival
Greater London House, Hampstead Road, London NW1 7EJ, United Kingdom
E-mail: amandab@canneslions.com; Tel: +44-20-7728 4040; Fax: +44-
20-7728 4044

About Yoko Ono

Yoko Ono is a multi-media artist who constantly challenges the traditional boundaries of art, known for her groundbreaking conceptual art, instructional arts, performance arts experimental films and music. Yoko was born in Tokyo in l933. 1952 Studied in Gakushuin University, 1953 to 1957 studied at Sarah Lawrence College. In NYC, 1960 to 1961 presented avant-garde events and concert series in her loft in Chambers Street with La Monte Young. 1961, Met George Maciunas and became a seminal member of Fluxus. In 1962, Yoko returned to Japan to present her one-woman exhibition at the Sogetsu Art Center, in Tokyo. That same year, performed a concert tour with Toshi Ichiyanagi, David Tudor and John Cage. In l964 she published her book, “Grapefruit: a Book of Instructions,” in Tokyo. The same year presented her now legendary performance art, “Cut Piece,” for the first time in Kyoto and then Tokyo. In 1964 Yoko returned to NYC and in 1965 performed “Cut PIece” at the Carnegie Recital Hall. 1966 was a turning point for Yoko when she moved to London and had a one-woman show in Indica Gallery. 1967 was a full year with a one-woman show at Lisson Gallery , filmmaking – the controversial Bottoms Film (Film No. 4) and a performance in Knokke Film Festival in Belgium. 1968, Yoko performed her music works in Paris and in Albert Hall in London with Ornette Coleman. In 1969, married John Lennon and formed The Plastic Ono Band.

Selected exhibitions include:

1971, “This Is Not Here” solo exhibition, Everson Museum of Art, New York; 1989, “The Bronze Age” solo exhibition Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; 1990, “Fumie” solo exhibition, Sogetsu Museum of Art ,Tokyo; 1993, Venice Biennale; 1997, “Have You Seen the Horizon Lately” solo exhibition, Museum of Modern Art, Oxford, UK-toured to Europe; 2000, “Yes Yoko Ono” solo exhibition, Japan Society, New York-toured to Europe and Asia; 2003 Venice Biennale; 2007, Moscow Biennale; 2008, “Between the Sky and My Head” solo exhibition, Kunsthalle Bielefeld, Germany, and Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art , Gateshead, UK. 2009, Anton’s Memory, Venice Biennale.

Awards/Honors include:
1981 Grammy Award for Album of the Year Double Fantasy
1997 The Art Institute of Chicago, Honorary Doctorate
2001 Liverpool University, Honorary Doctorate of Laws
2001 International Association of Art Critics USA Award for “YES YOKO
ONO” Best Museum Show originating in NYC.
2002 Skowhegan Award for Assorted Mediums in Art; Bard College,
Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts
2003 MOCA Award for Distinguished Women in the Arts
2005 IMAJINE – Lifetime Achievement Award. Japan Society
2006 Cristobal Gabarron International Prize for Visual Arts
2008 College Art Association, Distinguished Body of Work; National
Arts Award, Americans For the Arts
2009, Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement, Venice Biennale;
MOJO Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award.
2010 Distinguished Service to the Visual Arts, ArtsTable
Reflecting on her reputation for being outrageous, Yoko smiles and
says, “I do have to rely on my own judgment, although to some people
my judgment seems a little out of sync. I have my own rhythm and my
own timing, and that’s simply how it is.”

Source: Grey

CONTACT: Chris Brown, +1-212-546-2231; or Amanda Benfell, PR & Press
Manager, Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival,
amandab@canneslions.com, Tel: +44-20-7728 4040, Fax: +44-20-7728 4044

Web Site: http://www.canneslions.com/

Richard Gere is the Star Attraction at Aruba International Film Festival

Richard Gere

Hollywood romantic actor Richard Gere starrer “Hachiko” and Duplass Brothers’ “Cyrus” To Bookend The Aruba International Film Festival As the Opening and Closing Night Films

Aruba – May 20, 2010 – Program details for the inaugural Aruba International Film Festival (AIFF), which takes place June 4-11, 2010, were announced today. The Festival will showcase 28 films from 18 different countries, featuring several international premieres and many Caribbean/South American premieres. The lineup was announced by AIFF Artistic Director Claudio Masenza along with Festival founders Giuseppe Ciocarrelli and Jonathan Vieira.

Films having their international premiere at the Festival include the Dutch drama “Amsterdam,” directed by Ivo van Hove; the Italian dark comedy “Questione di Cuore,” directed by Francesca Archibugi; the Susanna White directed English family comedy “Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang” starring Emma Thompson, Ralph Fiennes, Ewan McGregor, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Maggie Smith and Rhys Ifans; and the English horror/drama “Black Death” starring Sean Bean, diected by Christopher Smith.

ARUBA

AIFF will open with the drama “Hachiko” starring Richard Gere, who will open the Festival as its official host. In addition to opening the Festival, Gere will be bestowed with a special humanitarian award and participate in the Festival’s “In Conversations With” series engaging the Festival audience.

Fox Searchlight’s comedy “Cyrus,” directed by Jay and Mark Duplass and starring John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, Marisa Tomei and Catherine Keener, has been selected as the closing night film.

Commented Masenza, “The first year of a Festival is a double test: the director is testing the reactions of his audience, knowing that the audience is testing him. I believe that this program presents elements to please and interest everybody, balancing amusement with more engaging stories. I chose films coming from almost all of the Latin nations because the Aruba culture is very close to theirs. I also chose several American movies, mainly independent, and included a special ‘window’ on Italy, my home country, that could give an idea of the contemporary industry there.”

Masenza added, “My wish is to introduce the public attending the Festival to the films and the culture of a different European country every year. Often movies that are normally unable to be seen inspire young filmmakers and resonate in their imagination for years to come.”

The official lineup is comprised of the following films:

► 3 IDIOTS (Country: India / Director: Rajkumar Hirani)

► ABEL (Country: USA / Director: Diego Luna)

► ALAMAR (Country: Mexico / Director: Pedro Gonzales-Rubio)

► AMSTERDAM (Country: Netherlands / Director: Ivo van Hove)

► A NY THING (Country: USA / Director: Oliver Lecot)

► BARRY MUNDAY (Country: USA / Director: Chris D’Arienzo)

► BLACK DEATH (Country: UK / Director: Christopher Smith)

► BOY ECURY (Country: Netherlands / Director: Frans Weisz)

► CAIRO TIME (Country: Canada/Ireland/Egypt / Director: Ruba Nadda)

► CHRISTINA (Country: USA / Director: Larry Brand)

► CYRUS (Country: USA / Director: Jay and Mark Duplass)

► DELHI 6 (Country: India / Director: Rakesh Omprakash Mehra)

► EL SECRETO DE SUS OJOS (Country: Argentina/Spain / Director: Juan Jose Campanella)

► HACHIKO (Country: USA / Director: Lasse Hallstrom)

► HAPPY FAMILY (County: Italy / Director: Gabriele Salvatores)

► HOLLY ROLLERS (Country: USA / Director: Kevin Asch)

► I TRAVEL BECAUSE I HAVE TO I COME BACK BECAUSE I LOVE YOU (Country: Brazil / Director: Karim Ainouz)

► LUCKY COUNTRY (Country: Australia / Director: Kriv Stenders)

► MINE VAGANTI (Country: Italy / Director: Ferzan Ozpetek)

► MY QUEEN KARO (Country: Netherlands/Belgium / Director: Dorothee van Den Berghe)

► NANNY MACPHEE (Country: UK/France/USA / Director: Susanna White)

► PENSO CHE UN SOGNO COSI (Country: Italy / Director: Marco De Luca)

► QUESTIONE DI CUORE (Country: Italy / Director: Francesca Archibugi)

► RABIA (Country: Mexico/Spain/Columbia / Director: Sebastián Cordero)

► SELL OUT (Country: Malaysia / Director: Yeo Joon Han)

► THE BURNING PLAIN (Country: USA/Mexico / Director: Guillermo Arriaga)

► THE TRAVELER (Country: USA / Director: Michael Oblowitz)

► VENEZZIA (Country: Venezuela / Director: Haik Gazarian)

Complete film details are provided in the accompanying AIFF program overview.

The stars will be shining bright at this year’s AIFF. In addition to legendary leading man and activist Richard Gere being in attendance, Academy Award® winning filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci (The Last Emperor, Last Tango in Paris) will be bestowed with The Golden Aruba Award for outstanding achievement in film.

Notable guests participating in the “In Conversation With” series inclide Oscar® and Golden Globe® nominee Guillermo Arriaga (“Babel” “21 Grams”), whose highly acclaimed film “The Burning Plain” is screening in the festival; multiple Academy Award® winner Thelma Schoonmaker (“The Departed” “Goodfellas” “The Aviator”); Academy Award® nominated actress Patricia Clarkson (“Pieces of April” “Shutter Island” “Lars and the Real Girl”); Oscar® nominated actor Griffin Dunne (“Game 6” “My Girl” “Johnny Dangerously”) and famous Indian choreographer Longiness Fernandes (“Slumdog Millionaire”).

The Festival will also host a special Bollywood night, which serves to celebrate Indian cinema and attract many people of Indian descent residing in nearby islands who often to do not get the opportunity to see new Bollywood films in local theaters. A day dedicated to Indian films (Thursday, June 10th) will be capped off with a magnificent Bollywood themed party that same night. Films being shown include “3 Idiots” and “Delhi 6.”

The full AIFF program is available to print online at www.arubafilmfest.com. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the AIFF’s office at Paseo Herencia. Tickets are available in a variety of price ranges, from a simple movie ticket to packages of multi–event attendance, to top accreditation tickets for VIP events.

About the Aruba International Film Festival

Taking place June 4-11, 2010, the breathtaking Caribbean island of Aruba provides the backdrop for the film industry’s newest “must-attend” event, with an inviting atmosphere, suited like none other, to attract actors, directors, filmmakers, and film lovers for a one-of-a-kind festival experience.

AIFF stands to further global awareness for the Island of Aruba as a center of art, culture and creativity and serve as a platform to promote the understanding and appreciation for the art of cinema and filmmaking. With participants enjoying a relaxed Aruban ambiance, AIFF promotes a more casual interaction between filmmakers and audience, making the film festival friendly and accessible to all participants.

The annual AIFF will bring people from around the world to view a wide selection of films, join in discussions and attend special parties and events.

AIFF has a mission to encourage, educate and activate young Aruban filmmakers. Throughout the Festival, notable film professionals will be conducting master classes on all facets of filmmaking and the creative process.

For more information please visit the Aruba International Film Festival website at www.arubafilmfest.com

Femi Odugbemi’s Bariga Boy Wins AfroPop Prize for Best film

Femi Odugbemi
Femi Odugbemi

Femi Odugbemi’s Bariga Boy Wins AfroPop Prize for Best film

Femi Odugbemi’s short documentary Bariga Boy has won another international award at the 5th Real-Life Documentary Film Festival (May 18th to 25th /Screening May 21st to 25th) in Accra, Ghana. Last Wednesday, it was awarded the AfroPop Prize for Best film. In April, Bariga Boy was given the award for the Best Documentary at the AMAA 2010 in Bayelsa state, Nigeria.

The AfroPop Prize of the Real Life Documentary Festival is sponsored by the National Black Programming Consortium, in the United States. The prize is connected to the US-based public television show featuring independent documentaries and short films about life art and culture from the contemporary African Diaspora.

“For Africa to catch up with the world infrastructurally, politically and economically, artistes of all shades must stand up to be counted. Our talent must speak out to challenge power and inspire change,” Odugbemi said while receiving the prize.

“I am very happy that Femi Odugbemi got the AfroPop Prize. He did a beautiful work and I really enjoyed the way he portrayed a young gifted Nigerian artiste and its neighborhood. The awards are for me very important because it is a great opportunity for the festival to give recognition to contemporary African visual productions, ” said Lydie Diakhate, Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Real Life Festival.

South African AIDS Film Draws Tears at Cannes World Premiere

Life Above All 1 a

Tears of empathy flowed copiously for heart broken Chanda, the 12 year old heroine of the South African AIDS film Life, Above All as viewers were gripped by the heartrending film Tuesday morning in the Salle Debussy at the world premiere as an official selection of the 63rd Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard category.

Allan Stratton, 59, the author of Chanda’s Secrets the young adult novel that was adapted for the film Life, Above All said he was already in tears when he saw only the rushes during the filming in South Africa.

Allan Stratton (centre) Thato Kgaladi (Soly, the boy) and Mapaseka Matheba (Iris, the girl) on the set of film Life, Above All in South Africa.Allan Stratton (centre) Thato Kgaladi (Soly, the boy) and Mapaseka Matheba (Iris, the girl) on the set of film Life, Above All in South Africa.

“I wrote Chanda’s Secrets to put a human face to the Sub-Saharan AIDS pandemic. It’s a visually charged story that reaches audiences of all ages. A film version, created on location by South African director Oliver Schmitz, is a dream come true,” Allan Stratton said.

Chanda’s Secrets has won many prizes since 2005, including the Africana Book Award, Michael L. Printz Honor Book award and a finalist for the Prix Sorciere of France and it has been translated into over ten languages.

Life Above ALL 1AA

Life above All was directed by Oliver Schmitz, the South African director whose apartheid films Mapantsula and Hijack Stories have also been screened at the Cannes in 1988 and 2001.

Life Above ALL 3

“I think Allan Stratton found a very good way of showing the impact of AIDS in South Africa,” said Schmitz.
“Although the main story remains the same, many little changes were made. Allan Stratton’s novel is located in Africa, but we have tried to remain very specific in terms of language and culture. For me, this sort of detail is crucial because I want to be sure that I’m faithfully representing our universal history.”

The author said he spent a month in Botswana to research for the facts.
“I knew what it felt like to lose a loved one and what AIDS panic looked like, but I did want to see what was different. In Africa, instead of attacking a subset of society, it’s attacked entire societies. Two things I didn’t expect: Internet cafés everywhere, and the joy in people. When you watch the news, you see people in postures of despair and flies buzzing around babies and glassy expressions. But the truth is that there is so much fire and laughter and joy. It made me think of how resilient people are and how, against probability, there are people who are able to grow and thrive — and that’s the story of Chanda, ”

Chanda’s Secrets was produced by German filmmaker Oliver Stoltz whose chance meeting with Allan Stratton during a reading tour in Germany in 2005 led to the film adaptation of the novel.

SYNOPSIS:
Nothing is more contagious than lies

Just after the death of her newly-born baby sister, Chanda, 12 years old, learns of a rumor that spreads like wildfire through her small, dust-ridden village near Johannesburg. It destroys her family and forces her mother to flee. Sensing that the gossip stems from prejudice and superstition, Chanda leaves home and school in search of her mother and the truth.

CREDITS

• Oliver SCHMITZ – Director
• Dennis FOON – Screenplay
• Bernhard JASPER – Cinematography
• Christiane ROTH – Set Designer
• Ali N. ASKIN – Music
• Dirk GRAU – Film Editor

ACTORS

• Thato KGALADI – Soly
• Keaobaka MAKANYANE – Esther
• Harriet MANAMELA – Mrs Tafa
• Khomotso MANYAKA – Chanda
• Mapaseka MATHEBE – Iris
• Tinah MNUMZANA – Aunt Lizbet
• Lerato MVELASE – Lillian
• Aubrey POOLO – Jonah

The story:
Chanda, 16, is a smart and determined South African girl on track to win a scholarship – but she’s suddenly thrust into an impossible situation, forcing her to adopt maturity beyond her years. When we first meet her, she’s making funeral arrangements for her year-old sister, Sara. If people begin to suspect Sara’s death was due to more than a passing flu, Chanda will be faced with shame and stigma, not only for the victim, but also for their entire family.

When Lilian’s (Chanda’s mother) illness becomes impossible to hide, their nosy, eccentric next-door neighbor, Mrs. Tafa, engages a spirit doctor to perform a startling ritual. The spirit doctor determines that a curse is hanging over her and her children. In order to lift it,

Lilian must return to the village from where she was banished decades before, leaving Chanda alone to care for her siblings.

Meanwhile, Chanda’s best friend, Esther, has turned to prostitution in a desperate attempt to survive and reunite her own family. Though the community shuns Esther, Chanda refuses to reject her friend. To the horror of those around her, Chanda opens her house to Esther at her friend’s moment of greatest need. That’s just the beginning of Chanda’s fight against convention.

When Chanda discovers that her mother may have gone away to die in order to spare her children shame, she ignores the cautions of the meddling Mrs. Tafa, and embarks on a fateful journey to bring her mother home. And in doing so, challenges the people around her to reject their prejudices and embrace the truth.

“Through the Glass” Cannes Market Premiere on Monday

The Publisher of Supple magazine, Hope O. Opara who is presently at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival has sent me the good news of today’s Cannes market première of Nigerian A-List actress and director Stephanie Okereke’s Through the Glass, a romantic comedy that was well received at the première in Nigeria last fall. ID Communications of Canada is already planning the major theaterical release of the film in North America.

~ Editor.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Martine Tremblay: martine@idcommunications.org
May17, 2010 +1.514.384.4061 (in Cannes +1.514.944.7413)

ID announces market premiere screening for “Through The Glass”, romantic comedy starring A-list NIgerian actress

Through the Glass

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 17, 2010 – (Cannes, France) –Canadian-based ID Communications Inc. announces market premiere screening for “Through The Glass”, a USA shot and produced romantic comedy, by Nigerian star Stephanie Okereke.

“Stephanie Okereke of Next Page Productions first introduced me to her film and her business model at AFM, and I was impressed by her film, which she also wrote and directed. After being a top box office draw in some 25 films, mostly in Nigeria, she went to New York film school, and decided to get behind the lens. Casting herself in a supporting role for her first film was simply a prudent business decision, given her obvious appeal in Nigeria. That call turned out to be a good one, as “Through The Glass” pulled in 10M Naira in her fall 2009 release on 4 screens, which represents roughly $ 65,000 US.” Says Dan Shannon, head of ID Communications, the films international sales agent.

“What I most like about this film’s business approach is the built-in market. Nigeria is a country of 150 Million. Every major market has a strong Nigerian diaspora. Given Stephanie is basically the Angelina Jolie of Nigeria, she is a household name in these commmunities and we know we can easily mobilise them for our platform theatrical release in North America and elsewhere. As a company specialised in Niche film, these are exactly the kinds of elements we look for. We will begin in NYC, the DC area, and Houston, just to name a few, and we will take it from there.” says Mr. Shannon.

“The film tells the story of an incorrigible bachelor who rushing out to an important meeting one day, finds a baby on his doorstep with a note from a past girlfriend to the effect of ‘…your baby, your problem’. Panic-striken, he eyes the neighbor who happens to be outside, a lovely Nigerian woman, and asks if she can mind the baby for an hour while he runs off to a business meeting. What follows is a humorous blend of North American/Nigerian cultural conflicts which is both refreshing and entertaining.”says Mr. Shannon

Ms Okereke is in Cannes for the launch of her film, and will attend the screening. For media appointments please email or call below.

“Through The Glass” will screen at the Cannes Market on Monday

About ID Communications Inc.

ID Communications inc. is a Montreal-based boutique film, television and web marketing company specialized in the area of international sales representation and distribution for film, TV, DVD and web-based properties. For more information and trailer on Through the Glass For our full Cannes Market lineup visit http://www.idcommunications.org/cannesmarket

market contact : ds@idcommunications.org mobile (+1.514.944.7413)

Miss Michigan USA Crowned MISS USA® 2010 During Live NBC Telecast

17 May 2010 03:11 Africa/Lagos

Miss Michigan USA Crowned MISS USA® 2010 During Live NBC Telecast

LAS VEGAS, May 16 /PRNewswire/ — This evening, during one of the year’s most watched live television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Miss Michigan USA, Rima Fakih, as MISS USA® 2010. Internationally-renowned chef and current “Celebrity Apprentice” contestant Curtis Stone and “Today” show co-host and correspondent Natalie Morales hosted the 59th Annual MISS USA Pageant from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in one of the world’s most electrifying cities, Las Vegas. The comedic mother-daughter duo Joan and Melissa Rivers were on hand providing backstage color commentary.

MISS USA 2010
Miss Michigan USA, Rima Fakih, as MISS USA® 2010

Ms. Fakih, 24, is from Dearborn, Michigan where she was raised with her younger brother. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, with a minor in Business Administration. After completing her reign as MISS USA, she plans to attend law school. She enjoys traveling, running, dancing, kickboxing and especially likes playing football and watching the NFL.

The judging panel for the 2010 MISS USA® Pageant included: Carmelo Anthony of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and a two-time Olympic medalist; Miss USA 2006, Tara Conner; best-selling author, chef and host of four shows on The Food Network, Paula Deen, star of NBC’s hit comedy series, “The Office,” Oscar Nunez; American businessman and real estate mogul, Phil Ruffin; Executive Fashion Editor at Large of Glamour magazine, Suze Yalof-Schwartz; model, Melania Trump, who has appeared on the covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Vanity Fair and three-time National Champion figure skater and Olympian, Johnny Weir.

Rima Fakih 3
Rima Fakih in swimsuit

Boys Like Girls (BLG) performed their new song, “Heart Heart Heartbreak” for the first time ever during the swimsuit competition and Grand Ole Opry member Trace Adkins who had 27 charted singles and 14 Top Ten hits, debuted his latest single, “This Ain’t No Love Song,” during the evening gown portion of the competition

Throughout the two-hour event, the contestants competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Kristen Dalton, MISS USA 2009, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 250 million.

Final Results:
————–

Miss Oklahoma USA, Morgan Elizabeth Woolard, will
assume the duties of MISS USA 2010 if the
titleholder is named MISS UNIVERSE 2010 or if for
First Runner Up: some reason MISS USA cannot fulfill her duties.

Second Runner Up: Miss Virginia USA, Samantha Casey

Rest of Top Five: Miss Colorado USA, Jessica Hartman
Miss Maine USA, Katie Whittier

Rest of Top Ten: Miss California USA, Nicole Michele Johnson
Miss Tennessee USA, Tucker Perry
Miss Missouri USA, Ashley Strohmier
Miss Alabama USA, Audrey Moore
Miss Mississippi USA, Breanne Ponder

Rest of Top
Fifteen: Miss Arkansas USA, Adrielle Churchill
Miss Kansas USA, Bethany Gerber
Miss Wyoming USA, Claire Schreiner
Miss Pennsylvania USA, Gina Cerilli
Miss Nebraska USA, Belinda Wright

MISS PHOTOGENIC USA(TM) Award: Miss Alabama USA, Audrey Moore. The general public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize as well as a Flip MinoHD Video Camcorder and jewelry from Diamond Nexus Labs.

MISS CONGENIALITY USA(TM) Award: Miss Nebraska USA, Belinda Wright. The award reflects the respect and admiration of the contestant’s peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize as well as a Flip MinoHD Video Camcorder and jewelry from Diamond Nexus Labs.

The MISS USA® 2010 prize package includes: a custom diamond tiara and jewelry designed by Diamond Nexus Labs; a shoe wardrobe from Nina Footwear; a one year scholarship (including housing) from the New York Film Academy; hair care products and tools from Farouk Systems; eveningwear wardrobe by Sherri Hill; a Flip MinoHD Video Camcorder; a collection of fashion-fresh Heys USA luggage; luxury accommodations in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses; a year-long salary as Miss USA; personal services including membership to Gravity Fitness and hair services from John Barrett Salon; modeling portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha; dermatology and skincare services provided by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher; professional health and nutrition consultation by Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD and dental services by Dr. Jan Linhart, D.D.S.; casting opportunities and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization; extensive travel opportunities representing sponsors and charitable partners; year long consultation with a fashion stylist and access to a personal appearance wardrobe and the opportunity to represent the USA at the 2010 Miss Universe pageant this summer in Las Vegas.

The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® pageants are a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Gilda’s Club. For more information, visit: www.missusa.com.

Follow Miss USA®:
— Facebook: www.facebook.com/OfficialMissUSA
— YouTube: www.youtube.com/OfficialMissUSA
— Twitter: TheRealMissUSA
— Blogs: www.missusa.com/blogs/index

Source: The Miss Universe Organization

CONTACT: The Miss Universe Organization, Lark-Marie Anton,
+1-212-373-4982, lanton@missuniverse.com, or Meagan McCutcheom,
+1-212-373-4983, mmccutcheon@missuniverse.com, or Dara Busch, +1-212-843-8079,
dbusch@rubensteinpr.com, NBC Universal, +1-818-777-3006,
Kellie.Kulikowsky@nbcuni.com

Web Site: MISS USA®