Royal Oak, Michigan – The producers of Radish Creative Group, Inc.’s feature film, Annabelle & Bear, is pleased to announce a sneak preview screening gala at Saturday, February 20th, 2010 at 8:00pm, at Detroit’s Music Hall Center for Performing Arts, benefiting Starfish Family Services.
Annabelle & Bear is the product of a 100% Michigan cast, crew and soundtrack. The event is well on its way to selling out, with over 1000 tickets sold to date. The highly anticipated film has captured the attention of a struggling state since it was first announced back in July. Why? The story behind the making of the film is as inspiring as the tender drama itself. Director Amy Weber envisioned a ‘home grown’ product to showcase the local film community and to spotlight the talent in Michigan specifically during a time when the state was facing struggling economic times. “There is so much talent here in Michigan, that it just made sense to keep all of the production here. I am very proud of the fact that this film was made completely in Michigan, by Michigan talent. What a testament to what Michigan has to offer and what an opportunity we have to showcase what we can do together”, declares Weber.
Weber announced at the start of the project that she would offer Michiganders an opportunity to be a part of the film making experience. Her call was answered, with over 4000 people responding to the casting and crewing opportunities. People with zero experience in the industry were suddenly being given an opportunity to work on a major motion picture. Following that, she then sent the call out to Michigan musicians, offering them an exciting opportunity to have their music or original song featured in the movie. One of those bands, Nervous But Excited, with their beautiful song, Said and Done, made a cameo in the film. Weber selected close to twenty instrumental pieces and songs from the music competition to score her film and/or to feature on the film’s highly anticipated soundtrack.
What began as one woman’s vision for an independent film, suddenly became an inspirational journey that would ignite a community and forever change lives. “I truly believe this is an amazing time to create something, versus just being a player in a Hollywood game. This is our moment to create opportunities for ourselves, to generate something we’ve always dreamed of, to make films on our terms and of our own vision. This is why we made this film”, says Weber.
And just as the production of the film brought a community together, the film’s premiere promises to do the same, hosting a fund-raising event for Starfish Family Services, a metro-Detroit non-profit organization that focuses on strengthening families to create brighter futures for children. The theme behind the premiere event is “because not every Annabelle has a Bear.” Weber anticipates a huge turnout, including some of Michigan’s most prominent figures.
Tickets for the event can be purchased through TicketMaster or through Music Hall’s box office in person or by phone at 313.887.8501. Tickets are $15.00 and include the screening of the film and an Afterglow reception immediately following the screening for a chance to meet the cast and the director. Details can be found at www.annabelleandbear.com .
Annabelle & Bear is the dramatic, tender story of a man who finds himself suddenly thrust into fatherhood, and the unexpected journey that leads him to discover the life-altering love found in the heart of his little girl.
