A documentary directed by John Lavall recently won a pair of festival awards in Ohio and has been accepted to and screened at four other national film festivals. “Leh Wi Tok” (translated as “Let Us Talk”), which focuses on the struggle to introduce community radio to the war-torn country of Sierra Leone, had its world premiere in Rhode Island on April 7.nnThe documentary won the “Best Documentary Short” at the 2011 Cincinnati Film Festival and the “Best Social Awareness Documentary” at the 2011 Chagrin Falls Documentary Film Festival also in Ohio. It has been accepted and screened at a number of film festivals including the 2011 High-Definition Film Festival in Portland, Oregon, the Show Me Justice Film Festival at the University of Central Missouri, the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival and the Rhode Island International Film Festival where it won the “Grand Prize / Providence Film Festival Award”.nnnnMuch of the “Leh Wi Tok” production team is based in Rhode Island, including John Lavall, Director/Producer; Mary Copp, Producer; Julie Lewis, Associate Editor, and photographers Kate Kelley and Jonathan Beller. The film’s cinematographer is Tim Metzger, a New York-based filmmaker whose most recent documentary “Sun Come Up” was nominated for a 2011 Academy Award. The film’s editor is David Teague from New York. nn”We are hopeful that ‘Leh Wi Tok‘ can continue to further the cause of community radio in Sierra Leone,” said John Lavall. “Thank you to the festival organizers and audiences who have recognized the importance of open and honest dialogue in countries like Sierra Leone.” nnThe documentary crew spent five weeks in Sierra Leone in 2010 chronicling the story of radio pioneer Andrew Kromah and his ongoing quest to grow community-based radio stations in his country so that peace and democracy can flourish. The film’s major underwriter is The Foundation for West Africa, a Rhode Island-based nonprofit headed by Topher Hamblett, a former Peace Corps volunteer who served in Sierra Leone. For more information on the film, please visit www.lehwitok.org
John Lavall Devlo Media 41 Drowne Parkway Rumford, RI 02916 cell: 401-749-7333 Contact John via email www.devlomedia.com www.lehwitok.org www.homeacrosslands.org
ABC Fine Wine and Spirits Embraces Dry January With Cheeky New Ad Campaign
Bacon & Eggs, the creative shop known for its witty, imaginative and disruptive advertising, has created an innovative campaign for ABC Fine Wine and Spirits that playfully tackles the Dry January's impact on its business head-on. Through the campaign, Florida's largest family-owned wine and spirits retailer proudly proclaims its support for Dry January even as it shares its extensive selection of wines, spirits, premixed cocktails and beers found within 127 stores across the state. In the campaign's signature spot, ABC Fine Wine and Spirits cheekily announces its enthusiastic support for Dry January, then proceeds to describe its tantalizing array of velvety cabernets, perfectly frosted IPAs, and smooth whiskeys — all while insisting, of course, that viewers "definitely shouldn't" indulge in these libations during the month. "Most alcohol retailers either push non-alcoholic alternatives or go quiet during Dry January," explains Kia Zomorrodi, founder and chief creative officer of Bacon & Eggs. "We wanted to flip the script and create something that would resonate with both those participating in Dry January and those who aren't. The campaign's reverse psychology approach lets ABC own the conversation while showcasing its impressive selection in an entertaining way." The campaign arrives as ABC Fine Wine and Spirits aims to maintain brand engagement during a traditionally quiet period for alcohol sales. "This campaign perfectly captures our brand personality while acknowledging the reality of Dry... Read More