For Immediate Release: Contact:
July 24, 2009 Jodi Riddick


The Brand Boutique
305-433-2993 Office
646-354-3000 Cell
Jodi@TheBrandBoutiqueOnline.com

THE HANDS + LA SHORTS FEST = MUST SEE FILM


Los Angeles, CA – The Hands, a film directed by Charise Studesville, a USC/Warner Brothers Producing & Directing Program graduate, will screen at the LA Shorts Fest Film Festival, this Friday, July 24th at 3:15pm (in the lead-up block to Demi Moore’s directorial debut). The film is an engaging and gripping look at a daughter’s final moments with the father she simultaneously adored and reviled.

Under her production company, Lotus Girl Films, Studesville wrote and directed The Hands, which has resonated dramatically with viewers. “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.”

"Having The Hands included in the LA Shorts Fest 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 my film was chosen is a testament to the work that went into the project.”

Studesville has been methodically learning the business, piece by piece. 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 learning the production side of the process from a successful and established producer in the industry. “I’ve always known that when you really want something, and ‘that something’ is extraordinary, it calls for extraordinary effort and sacrifice. I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to become a top director.”

The Hands screened at The Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner. It can also be seen at the Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival, The Black Harvest Festival of Film, the Milwaukee Short Film Festival, the Salento Film Festival (Italy), the International Film Festival Ireland (Ireland) and the International Film Festival South Africa 2009. The Hands 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.

LA Shorts Fest – The Hands screening:
Friday, July 24th, 3:15pm, Laemmle 5 Theater, 8000 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
http://lashortsfest.com/film_program_details.asp?programnumber=6

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

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