12/10/2010

PRESS RELEASE

 
REALITY FILM GOES “UNDERGROUND”
The Human Experience’s leading man hops NYC subways with homeless


NEW YORK, NY – Dec 10th, 2010: It’s rush hour, but the D train platform is dead silent, save the sound of footsteps and the slight buzz emanating from the earbuds of college kids headed downtown. Commuters are on the way home after work, school and errands, when out of the dim echo comes a voice: “What’s up New York!? Good evening everybody; how’s it going?” Heads turn and eyes flick toward the direction of the lively Brooklyn accent. “My name is Jeff. I’m not here to ask you for money tonight. Instead I want to give you something…”

At first glance, the young man looks like any other 24-year-old. He’s wrapped in his coat, put-together, and blends in with the subway crowd. Discernment poised upon the faces of commuters, the question remains: Does this seemingly All-American guy have something important to say, or is he just crazy?

Encircled by inquisitive stares, this isn’t the first time Jeffrey Azize has found himself at the center of attention. The lead protagonist of the award-winning reality-doc The Human Experience spent an entire year being followed by cameras, along with his brother Cliff. The film accompanies the brothers and their friends as they venture into the shoes of New York City’s homeless, cruise down the Peruvian coast in the company of both surfers and orphans, and trek through the jungles of Africa amid isolated Ghanaian lepers and those afflicted by AIDS -- all in search of a deeper understanding of what unites people.

Today, they’re back in New York City hopping between subway cars with the homeless and handing out DVD trailers of the film that has been heralded by theater mogul Dan Harkins as, “a multicultural sensation… a must-see.”

Azize, along with his co-stars, Michael Campo and brother Cliff have been on tour with the film, screening the Human Experience at special events and traveling the festival circuit. To date, the Human Experience has been screened in over 250 cities across the world. The doc has been awarded over 30 festival honors, including Audience Choice Award from The American Cinematic Experience held at New York’s Tribeca Cinemas, Grand Prize for Best Feature Film at Toronto's Moving Image Film Festival, and the Award of Excellence for Feature Documentary at Indie Fest. The Human Experience enjoyed a successful run in Harkins Theatres this past April, selling out show times its opening weekend in Phoenix and Dallas, as well as a special event at the Times Square AMC.

Brooklyn indie studio Grassroots Films confirmed today that the film, directed by Charles Kinnane, would be available in major retail outlets in the new year. Distributors New Video have slated the major release for the spring. A special holiday edition of the DVD is currently available exclusively through www.GrassrootsFilms.com for a limited time.

Jeffrey Azize said he is set on "increasing awareness to help those in need" this holiday season and will be doing so through a series of creative new video "experiences," which he will be posting to YouTube in the coming weeks.

Contact:  Amanda M. Melefsky, Public Relations
119 Eagle St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
o: 718.349.7622  f: 718.349.1558
mandy@grassrootsfilms.com

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1/18/2010

REELSTORIES FilmFest - Malibu, California



Press Release from Pepperdine University:


PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS HOST MALIBU FILM FESTIVAL





Pepperdine University students and film industry leaders are joining forces to present REELSTORIES FILMFEST, a student-led film festival showcasing student-produced films and two award-winning feature-length documentaries. By harnessing the power of storytelling, REELSTOREIS FILMFEST presents a captivating sequence of films, challenging audience members to affect change. The first of its kind at Pepperdine, the film festival seeks to unite the Pepperdine, Malibu, and filmmaking communities.  On Friday, January 22, Pepperdine invites all lovers of film to attend for an unforgettable evening.


A celebrity panel of judges, including Jonah Nolan (“The Dark Knight,” “The Prestige,” “Memento”), Randall Wallace (“Braveheart,” “The Man in the Iron Mask”), Tom Shadyac (“Bruce Almighty,” “Patch Adams”), as well as executives of Sony Pictures and Lionsgate Entertainment will be present. REELSTORIES FILMFEST will showcase the top Pepperdine student films, selected in advance by judges from dozens of entries, as well as two feature-length documentaries: “The Human Experience” (Smothers Auditorium) and “Red Gold” (Elkins Auditorium). Guests will choose a venue based on the feature film they wish to view.


“The Human Experience,” recipient of more than a dozen awards in 2009 alone, is the story of a band of brothers who travel the world in search of answers to life’s ultimate questions – “Who am I? Who is Man? Why do we search for meaning?” On the journey, they encounter some of humanity’s most destitute – homeless people of New York, orphans and disabled children of Peru, and lepers exiled to the forests of Ghana – who remind them of the beauty of the human person and resilience of the human spirit. Lead actors Michael Campo and Jeffrey Azize from Brooklyn, New York will lead a discussion following the screening.
The event kicks-off with a premiere party, featuring student musicians, art exhibits, coffee trucks, and an expo of booths from various organizations. The evening concludes with an award ceremony and reception held under the stars. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served.
 “We hope this event will allow people to gain a renewed appreciation for films that instill change,” Pepperdine senior and one of the festival Directors Katie Stjernholm said. “We want to inspire people to share meaningful stories that shape the type of world that we envision.”
REELSTORIES FILMFEST will take place on Friday, Jan. 22 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California.  The premiere party will be held in Joslyn Plaza from 6 to 7 p.m., the student showcase at 7 p.m. in Elkins Auditorium and Smothers Theatre, and the feature films Elkins Auditorium and Smothers Theatre from 8 to 9:30 p.m. The closing reception and award ceremony will be hosted in Joslyn Plaza from 10 to 10:30 p.m.  Admission is free. Seating is limited to 900 guests. For more information, please visit www.reelstoriesfilmfest.com.

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9/17/2009

THX at The Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival

The Human Experience will be playing this Saturday evening at the Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival in Sun Valley, Idaho. Catch executive producer, Joseph Campo and lead role Jeffrey Azize for the Q&A session following the film screening starting at 6:00 PM at the Sun Valley Opera House. Campo will also take part in the festival's morning panel discussion "Marketing to Muggles" at 8:30 AM on Saturday, September 19th, in the Opera House.


For more info, please visit the Sun Valley Film Fest website here.

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7/10/2009

The Human Experience at ACEFEST in TriBeCa

Last chance to get ACEFEST tickets!

The Human Experience will be playing this Saturday in New York City, at the AMERICAN CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE.

Be there at TriBeCa Cinemas this Saturday at 1:00 PM. But don't wait to get your tickets - they're going fast! Get yours online HERE.

The Grassroots Filmmakers will attend the screening, which will be followed by a Q&A.

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6/08/2009

THX at ACEFEST in TriBeCa




The Human Experience has been announced as an Official Selection at ACEFEST 2009!

Saturday, July 11th
1:00PM
TriBeCa Cinemas
New York City

Check out the ACEFEST site for more info, and be sure to follow us on Twitter - for a chance to join us as our special guest with a pair of complimentary tickets to to this exciting New York screening!

Peace,
GRF

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