For Immediate Release: Contact:

June 4, 2009 Jodi Riddick


The Brand Boutique

305-433-2993 Office

646-354-3000 Cell

Jodi@TheBrandBoutiqueOnline.com

THE HANDS MOVIE SELECTED TO SCREEN AT THE HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL IN BEVERLY HILLS, CA, JUNE 6TH.

Los Angeles, CA – The Hands, a film directed by Charise Studesville, has been selected to screen at the Hollywood Black Film Festival. The film is an engaging and gripping look at a daughter’s final moments with the father she simultaneously adored and reviled. “The storyline came from grappling with the ideas of memory, secrets, loss and forgiveness”, says Studesville. “The film is actually an exploration of the back story of one of the lead characters in a full-length feature I have written called Love, Sydney.”

“As a parent, I think about what memories I will leave with my children, and the fact that we are responsible for how we treat people. In the here and now. The Hands speaks to that realization.”

"Having The Hands included in the Hollywood Black Film Festival’s Black Women Filmmakers screening block is an honor and a privilege. Women make up only about 7% of all filmmakers. Clearly, that number is even less for Black women filmmakers. The fact that the four of us chosen are even here, putting out great work, is exciting and revolutionary. Julie Dash, Kasi Lemmons, Sanaa Hamri, Gina Prince-Blythewood, and a handful of others, are all path blazers. I am here to applaud the work and effort of those who sat in the director’s chair before me. And, I am also here to blow the doors wide open -- for my benefit and all of those who will follow me.”

Studesville finished the USC/Warner Brothers Producing & Directing Program at the University of Southern California last summer. In 2007, Studesville worked with Debra Martin Chase of Martin Chase Productions. She commuted every week between Chicago and Los Angeles for the privilege of working with one of the best in the business, and to learn the production side of the process. “I’ve always known that when you really want something, and ‘that something’ is extraordinary, it calls for extraordinary measures and sacrifice. I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to become a top director.”

The Hands recently screened at The Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner. It can also be seen at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, The Heart of England Festival, The Black Harvest Festival of Film, the Salento Film Festival (Italy) and the International Film Festival South Africa 2009. It won Best Dramatic Film at the Wildwood Film Festival 2009.

Studesville currently splits her time between her Los Angeles and Chicago Lotus Girl Film offices, and is currently writing several projects, for both film and television.

Hollywood Black Film Festival, Black Women Filmmakers: Saturday, June 6th at 5:30pm, at Laemmle’s Music Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.

For more information, please visit: http://hollywoodblackff.bside.com/2009/films/thehands_hollywoodblackff2009



For more information on The Hands and Charise Studesville, please visit www.TheHandsMovie.com or www.LotusGirlFilms.com.

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