Sundance Film Festival...Robert Redford to screen flicks across pond in London! A gamble?

 



In a bid to spread the good word about the wonders of celluloid and Independent film (now a major U.S. export overseas) and its ability to touch and inspire the human spirit, officials at Robert Redford's "Sundance Film Festival" announced ambitious plans to launch a version of the Utah-based fest overseas in the heart of London.

The much-ballyhooed cultural reach is slated for an ceremonious unveiling next year (to run April 26th thru the 29th).

In addition to an eclectic string of thought-provoking insightful movies, Redford's "baby" is known for, there will be a stimulating calendar of events that range from live stage performances, to industry panels on a myriad of filmmaker topics, and insightful one-on-one interviews with high-profile celebs on the independent film landscape.

"It is our mutual goal to provide the U.K. with the very best in current American Independent Cinema, to introduce the artists responsible for it, and in essence help build a picture of our country that is broadly reflective of the diversity of voices not always seen in our cultural exports," the respected actor underscored in a press release in recent days.

Will there be as keen an interest in Sundance "picks" (which usually set filmmaking trends) across the big pond as there is on these shores?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz



From heartthrob to respected film director!

Prop 8...Californians Against Hate make headway in Utah with Mormons. Boycott with Garff Automotive ends...

A few weeks ago, Ken Karger and Californians Against Hate (a group Karger founded) called for a boycott of Ken Garff Automotive Group at a Salt Lake City news conference, based on a $100,000.00 donation the family matriarch - Katharine Garff - proffered in support of Proposition 8 (ban on gay marriage).

In a follow-up to that meeting - Mr. Karger contacted me on Friday to inform me that the boycott has been terminated - because of the remarkable headway that has been made with the CEO of the Automotive Group, John Garff.

"A reporter there asked me if I would be willing to meet with John Garff. A few hours later, I was in his office. We had a wide-ranging and very productive two-hour meeting," the gay activist noted in his communication to me.

In addition to that "healing" moment, Karger was elated to report that Garff and his father (Robert Garff) later met with National LGBT community leader, Bruce Bastian, as well.

Bastian is also a Utah philanthropist.

The purpose of the second meeting, according to Karger, was to share perspectives and to discuss a variety of issues in an effort to find mutual respect and understanding over the Proposition 8 issue.

Behind closed doors an actual agreement was made that satisfied Bastian.

Although terms of an actual agreement were not released, sources noted to me that Garff officials have agreed to adopt a nondiscrimination policy for gay, lesbian and transgender employees.

Mr. Karger was so pleased with the meeting of hearts & minds that occurred on that momentous occasion that he elected to immediately end the boycott against the Automotive Group immediately.

"Last Friday, I met with Robert and John Garff. I believe that both Robert and John left the meeting with a better understanding of my work, the LGBT community, and the emotional significance of the passing of Proposition 8 to our community. I believe the Garff family now fully understands how sensitive and important this issue is to our community and to their friends and neighbors."

Meanwhile, the Garff's were anxious to express their feelings on the issues on record, as well.

"In response to the Ken Garff Automotive Group boycott that was called for by Californians Against Hate, I met with Fred Karger, its founder. My father, Robert, and I subsequently met with Bruce Bastian, a national LGBT philanthropist with local ties to Utah. I believe we all came away from those meetings with a greater level of mutual respect and understanding."

Karger concluded his heartfelt message to me by noting that as Utah progresses towards an era of equality for all families, he is extremely grateful to the Garff family for listening to the community in which they reside and do business in.

"I look forward to working together towards a better future for all."

Now, If the rest of those much-married Mormons in Utah would hop on board - maybe the rest of the community that is inclined toward getting hitched with one special person - would also have a shot at marital bliss!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Proposition 8...Mormon Church probed by California Fair Elections Commission!

More trouble may be brewing on the horizon for the Mormon Church!

Fred Karger - the founder of "Californians Against Hate" - has filed a complaint with the California Fair Elections Commission in which he contends that the Mormon Church provided significant funds to the pro-Proposition 8 campaign but failed to report the contributions as required by State Law.

After consideration, the Fair Political Practices Commission has decided to move forward on the juicy complaint issues.

For starters, the agency plans to investigate funding for a handful of commercials, out-of-state phone banks, and a Web site hosted by the Mormons.

Based on the facts uncovered to date, sources close to the investigation assert that the California regulatory agency is compelled to look into whether the church broke State laws by failing to report campaign-related expenditures.

For those of you who may have been in a vacuum for the past few month or so, it is important to note that Proposition 8 - which California voters passed on November 4 - overturned a prior ruling by the California Supreme Court to lift a ban on "gay marriage".

Some argue that in doing so, the organizers for Proposition 8 rewrote the California State Constitution to allow for unjust discrimination against a group of citizens; namely, "gays" seeking equality in marriage, among other things.

Mormons were a major political (religious?) force behind the ballot measure.

Individual church-goers not only donated millions of their own savings to the cause, but also, took it upon themselves to canvass the streets door-to-door to raise additional funds.

If the commission determines through its probe that the Church of Latter Day Saints (?) violated California State reporting laws, the agency could levy penalties of $5,000.00 per violation against the Mormons.

The Church's exempt tax status may be thrown into jeopardy as well.

In response, Church Officials have denied any wrong-doing, of course.

News at 11!