WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL FILM AND ARTS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ITS 2010 DATES IN CELEBRATION OF ITS 5TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY
MIAMI, FL — The Women’s International Film and Arts Festival will be celebrating its 5th anniversary from March 26th – April 2nd 2010 in Miami, Florida. The Women’s International Film & Arts Festival (WIFF) is a unique, cultural event featuring films, visual and performance arts and other artistic expressions by women. It is one of only two film festivals in the Southeastern United States specifically dedicated to women, recognizing their brilliance and accomplishments. Film entries for this festival have been extended to December 7th 2009. The Host hotel for the festival is the Opera Suites and Marina hotel on 1750 North Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL 33132. The festival will be held at various locations throughout South Florida.
Founded by Yvonne McCormack- Lyons in 2004, the Women’s International Film and Arts Festival is held annually during Women’s History month. The event is designed to celebrate women and to help them realize their dreams, visions and voices. Throughout the past four years, WIFF has received more than 2,000 films from more than 60 countries such as Brazil, Chile, France, Taiwan, Germany, Mexico, Ghana, Egypt, Australia, Peru, New Zealand, Poland, Japan, Dubai, and of course films from the U.S., including our very own South Florida. Some films have received Emmy & Oscar nominations & Awards.
“We’re really looking forward to our 5th anniversary event as we celebrate this special milestone year and continue to provide opportunities for women’s issues and visions to be heard on an international level,” said McCormack-Lyons.
The Festival has garnered unwavering support of many of the most prominent women in the industry and South Florida Notable mentions include Founding Honorary Chair Ms. Ruby Dee, Emmy, Grammy & Golden Globe Award Winning Actress and 2010 Honorary Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, US Congresswoman.
Some of the festival attendees have included 2007 Oscar nominee (“Babel”) Adriana Barraza, 2008 Golden Globe Winner (“American Gangster”) Ruby Dee, “The Breakfast Club’s” Alley Sheedy, international performing artist Lucrecia, Nighttime TV host Chelsea Handler and many more. Films submitted include all genres and lengths (documentaries, short films, biographies, animated films, narrative features, etc.) are primarily directed, produced or edited by women. Some submissions are also made by men, but address a women’s issue, perspective or document a woman in history.
ABOUT THE WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The overarching mission of WIFF is to provide year-round programming which bring women artists from all over the world to South Florida to explore and engage in dialogue about issues concerning women. With women representing only 7% of film directors, every effort should be made to enhance the opportunity for women’s voices to be heard, and to present a
wider range of roles and identity choices for women. Through panel discussions, workshops, and symposia, WIFF’s goals include empowering women of all ages to see themselves in a broader context. To invest in the future, WIFF has created the WIFF “Reel Girls, Real Women” program. This program empowers girls-at-risk and with low self-esteem by
teaching them media literacy. The girls gain confidence as they produce short documentary films of their own.
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
Yvonne McCormack-Lyons has spent the past 20 years in the fields of communications and women based arts and culture programs. She is truly international. Mrs. McCormack-Lyons is a Canadian citizen, a second generation Jamaican, who was born in England and raised in Canada. A graduate of York University Mrs. McCormack-Lyons has been spearheading the award winning Women’s International Film & Arts Festival for the past four years. She oversees the annual selection of more than 500 films, develops arts and film programs empowering women, the media literacy/film education program for adolescent girls and oversees the international festival which occurs annually in March.
With a degree in broadcast journalism and production, she spent a number of years reporting and anchoring a weekly television program in Washington, D.C., which highlighted events around the public school system. She was recruited to relocate to Miami to produce and anchor and weekly television program which served both the local audience in Miami as well as in the Caribbean through the West Indian International Network in Miami and the Caribbean Broadcasting Union in Guyana, WI.
She went on to serve as Public Information and Marketing Directors for the State of Florida and Miami-Dade County, where she lead teams of communication specialists and marketers to promote arts programs such as music and dance concerts, international sporting facilities and events such as the Junior Olympics and the Nasdaq 100 tennis tournament, as well as local community events such as art & music festivals. Her work included: advertising, film production, television production, corporate sponsorships, collateral production and much more.
She currently sits on the Miami-Dade County Film & Entertainment Advisory Committee, The Broward County Cultural Executives Committee and has received a number of national awards for her work in communications and arts. She has been invited internationally to speak on areas concerning women in the arts, women and the media and films about women, advertising, film production, events planning, digital designs and broadcast communication.
The Women’s International Film and Arts Festival was honored with the “Best Miami Film Festival” in 2007 by the Miami New Times. With women representing only 7% of film directors, the Women’s International Film and Arts Festival is making every effort to increase this number and help enhance the opportunity for women’s voices to be heard, and to present a
wider range of roles and identity choices for women in this billion dollar industry.
To learn more about the Women’s International Film and Arts Festival, please log on to www.womensfilmfest.com
Hello Icy readers. We are excited to announce that ICY Public Relations is the official PR company for the Women’s International Film Festival. (www.wiffonline.org) We look forward to this exceptional event (March 25-April 2, 2010) and we will keep you up-to-date. With over 400 films already in, this 5th year anniversary is going to be especially unique. Let the filming begin.
The Women’s International Film & Arts Festival (WIFF) is a unique, cultural event featuring films, visual and performance arts and other artistic expressions by women. It is one of only two film festivals
in the Southeastern United States specifically dedicated to women, recognizing their brilliance and accomplishments. Held annually during Women’s History month, the event is designed to celebrate
women and to help them realize their dreams, visions and voices. With women representing only 7% of film directors, every effort should be made to enhance the opportunity for women’s voices to be heard, and to present a wider range of roles and identity choices for women. Through panel discussions, workshops, and symposia, WIFF’s goals include empowering women of all ages to see themselves in a broader context.
icyheads up (news will be officially out on Tuesday)- Extended entry deadlines Novemember 30th
Hello Icy readers. Our client Alaché will be live on http://www.gospelimpactradio.com today at 12noon EST. Click on windows media player , itunes, or shoutcast to listen. Alaché will be talking about her Album, her coming videos and her self help book and also get a chance to win the full CD today.
We have just re-created and re-launched the site for our bag desinger. HAND BAGS BY OLAS.
OLAS Handbag is designed for the modern woman that is always stylish with ease. The design simplicity of OLAS Handbags gives it a fashionable edge with subtle details.
An anticipated preceding collection will follow in the Spring of 2009.
Alaché releases debut album “Until now” Available September 15, 2009
MIAMI, FL — International recording artist Alaché is set to release her inspirational debut album Until Now on September 15, 2009. The album has 12 inspiring and motivational songs including the hit single “higher” which has received over 200,000 plays on MySpace is on heavy rotation on Rhythm fm 93.7 and Cool FM in West Africa.
ALACHÉ
Alaché is a Florida based singer-songwriter from Nigeria who falls under the Inspirational/Christian genre of music. Her edgy, upbeat and engaging tempo makes her stand out as a truly inspirational artist. Alaché’s album digs deep into the challenges of personal struggles of the modern mind with songs like “How mama” about pro life and “Insecurity. Alaché is not your typical gospel/inspirational music artist. She has a funky flare and fashion edginess that makes her truly unique to this industry.
“Alaché has something authentic and meaningful to say in her songs which deserves to be heard”
- MIMI Magazine
Alaché teamed up with vocal coach and producer Gerry Williams, who’s literally worked with every major pop star birthed from that highly fertile scene (including Mandy Moore, O-Town, LFO, Raven, Aaron Carter, Jordan Knight, Stacie Orrico and Jump). Gerry believes she is a unique talent whose music can inspire very many people. Growing up, Alaché was greatly influenced by Miriam Makeba, Celine Dion, CeCe Winans, The Fugees, Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams. Alaché is a fresh artist who comes at a time when music lovers need that engaging inspiration.
Alaché is working on an International tour that will cover North America, South Africa and West Africa. She is also set to be reviewed by BHF magazine and Gospel Impact Radio. Her music videos for higher, shoulda lost my mind and insecurity will debut in January 2010 with rotations in London, North America and West Africa.
The album Until Now is distributed by Central South - Infinity Distribution. For more information on Alaché, please visit www.alacheonline.com
We launched our clients new site on 9.1.9. We excited to see that the site has received great reviews.
The new website provides the media and Stephanie’s fans with a place to read, see and hear anything new about Stephanie, from Stephanie including videos; brand new editorial images; a blog; a press page; links to her favorite sites, wallpapers and buddy icons for downloads, a store to buy all things Stephanie and a fan of the month page. Fans can also connect to Stephanie on her Twitter and Facebook pages through the website.
For Immediate ReleaseLOS ANGELES, CA July 20, 2009 — Los Angeles based designer Adefunke Adegbola has launched her new website for Ella Brown Couture, showing it’s latest collection of evening wear, cocktail wear and embellished handbags. The brand has also expanded its glamorous repertoire by introducing ultra luxury artsy footwear pieces into the collection.
The new Ella Brown Couture website officially launched today July, 20th 2009 on www.ellabrowncouture.com. This latest collection explores freshness with lots of details and a modern touch. The common thread through the entire collection is the emphasis on the waist, shoulder and dramatic collars with silk piped rosettes, pleated bodice, silk embellished bows on dresses, shoes and clutches, rimmed Swarovski crystal and cabochon embellished pieces. The Fabric choices include silk charmeuse from Brazil, whimsical whipped taffeta and beaded silk chiffon.
“The addition of shoes to the brand was an easy decision. I want the Ella Brown woman to have a complete look. No look is complete without the right shoes… I’m excited about this collection”- Adefunke Adegbola.
Ella Brown Couture ® has become one of the well received names in the bridal, cocktail and evening wear market. Exclusive high end retailers around the world, as well as brides turn to the brand for that special moment, be it a walk down the isle or red carpet. Ms. Adegbola’s (designer & creative director) creations are a true reflection of her design philosophy that combines her appreciation for traditional and classic with the modern fashion twist of today’s stylish woman.
The brand flagship showroom is located at the heart of Los Angeles fashion district (California Market Center).
EBC creations particularly appeal to women of style who appreciate luxury and tremendous attention to details which are the overriding principles that Adefunke Adegbola condones when approaching her designs.
EBC is sold in over 40 select boutiques and bridal galleries in the U.S, Europe and Asia.
To see the range of the Ella Brown Couture collection, please visit www.ellabrowncouture.com
For more information contact:
ICY Public Relations
Yetunde Taiwo
T: 305.549.3676
E: yetunde@icypr.com
W: www.icypr.com
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ICY PUBLIC RELATIONS KICKS OFF THE 2009 SUMMER SEASON WITH THREE NEW CLIENTS: A-LIST NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS STEPHANIE OKEREKE, LOS ANGELES HANDBAG DESIGNER OLASUNBO AND, MIAMI TRAVEL CONSULTANT GROUP PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI.
MIAMI. FL – ICY PR is pleased to announce representation of three new clients on its 2009/20010 roster. A-list Nollywood actress Stephanie Okereke, Handbag designer Olasunbo and travel consultancy group Premier Guide Miami.
STEPHANIE OKEREKE – Nigerian Actress Stephanie Okereke came into the Nollywood scene in 1997 as a student at the University of Calabar. After graduating, her thirst for an acting career propelled her into Nollywood fulltime. Stephanie made her mark with the movie Emotional Crack which premiered at the African Film festival in April 2004. With Over 90 films to her name, Stephanie Okereke is continually building her brand in the movie industry. A recent graduate of the New York Film Academy Stephanie has expanded her title to include Director, producer and writer with the introduction of her latest movie: Through the Glass which premiered at the Silver Screen Theatre of the Pacific Design Centre on October 18th 2008 in Hollywood, California. Stephanie is setting her goals to include Hollywood.
HANDBAGS BY OLAS– Olasubo Lawal owner of Handbags by Olas got inspired to open her own line of handbags after a life changing trip to China in 2007. Her goal was to create a line of Stylish handbags that caters to contemporary, young, and fashion conscious women. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of San Francisco and years of experience working with today’s top fashion brands and retailers like Macy’s, Gap Inc, Christine Foley, Issey Miyake and Karen Millen, Ola completed her Masters in Fashion Marketing from the London College of Fashion In December 2008. She moved to Los Angeles thereafter to grow a fashion brand that offers simplicity, fashionable edge, and subtle yet drastic details.
PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI – Owned by Miami Socialite Daedrian McNaughton Premier Guide Miami was created to provide exclusive rates and services to the jet setter on a budget. Through its affiliations with major car rental companies, hotels, airlines, cruises, yacht, jet charter companies, ticket vendors and tour operators, PGM is able to offer its clients VIP rates and services at a very affordable price. At PGM, everyone is treated like an affluent client with easy access to industry rates not offered to the public, preferential treatment offered to members at major hotels and events, memorable experiences offered through its personalized services, the quality and recognition of their professional services partners and access to exclusive offers only available to PGM’s Insiders.
To see the profiles on our clients, please visit us online at www.icypr.com
For more information contact:
ICY Public Relations
Yetunde Taiwo
T: 305.549.3676
F: 215.326.7302
E: yetunde@icypr.com
W: www.icypr.com
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Hello everyone. I want to let you know about a new ICY PR client. Keva by Keva J. She will be debuting her collection this weekend at Funkshion Fashion Week Miami Beach. If you’re a fashion enthusiast you know you need to be there.
THINK FIERCE, EDGY, UNIQUE
Hey you. Welcome to my Virtual home here on YetundeShorters.com where I get to support your awesomeness with tools, tips, resources to thrive out here in these world streets. Plus, I get to share with you my life as a Lifestyle Entrepreneur, TwinMom and Wife. A snap shot of the good and challenging. I am on a journey to realize my highest self while sharing the experiences, in hopes that someone else can learn from them, without having to go through it. I look forward to connecting live or online.
For Immediate Release
