Voting for the Con-Can contest ended August 31st, 2008.
Watch this black woman-Japanese man romance movie. And forward info about it to any other blogsites, friends, or outlets you think might be interested. Thanks!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: akirashiphopshop@gmail.com
(818) 620-2478
http://www.akirashiphopshop.com/
ROMANTIC COMEDY SHORT "AKIRA'S HIP HOP SHOP" PREMIERES ONLINE AND DEBUTS ON DVD
Filmmaker Joe Doughrity and actor James Kyson Lee ("Heroes") to Appear at L.A. Comic book & Science Fiction Convention on September 14th
Los Angeles, CA - "Akira's Hip Hop Shop", the award-winning short film written and directed by Joe Doughrity, is currently premiering on the Internet as part of the 5th Annual Con-Can International Film Festival. An audience-interactive online short movie festival which aims to discover hidden creative talent from all over the world, the Con-Can winners receive cash prizes and meetings with Japanese film executives in Japan.
"Akira's Hip Hop Shop" is an interracial romantic comedy about a Japanese guy with a Jones for rap music who falls in love with a Black girl with a passion for culinary arts. Can they overcome prejudice from family, friends and society to find true love? The 22-minute "film festival cut" can be streamed for free during the month of August. The direct link is: http://en.con-can.com/watch/preview.php?id=20081206 For more information on the Con-Can movie festival please visit: http://en.con-can.com
"I'm happy the film is being seen by so many people," gushed Doughrity. "A worldwide audience is exciting and a bit intimidating. I've gotten comments from people in Japan, Korea and France so far. It seems like with a mixed race man running for President of the United States, people are more accepting of interracial themes right now."
On September 14th, Writer/Director Joe Doughrity and star James Kyson Lee, one of the stars of the NBC series "Heroes", will appear at the Los Angeles Comic-book and Science Fiction convention at the Shrine auditorium to promote the DVD release of the film. The DVD includes the online cut as well as the 37-minute Director's Cut and bonus features. The Director's Cut won the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Best Director student film award in 2007 and has been featured at film festivals throughout the country. The release date for the DVD is September 16th. The film will be available exclusively from the films' website www.akirashiphopshop.com and retail for $9.95 plus shipping.
Doughrity hopes to expand the short into a feature in 2009 following on the heels of short films such as "Eve's Bayou", "Napoleon Dynamite" and "Sling Blade." "I hope people watch and take the time to vote. Fans of Heroes, fans of hip hop and people who like a good love story. My ultimate goal is to expand Akira and Daphne's story to a full length feature film."
Joe Doughrity's first film was the documentary "Seven Days in Japan" which won Best Documentary at the 2005 San Diego Comic-con Film Festival and went on to air on the BET network. He's worked as a screenwriter and editor for many years in Hollywood, but only recently began making his own films. "Akira's Hip Hop Shop" also stars Emayatzy Corinealdi ("The Young & The Restless") and Cordele Taylor ("Epic Movie"). Voting for the Con-Can contest ends August 31st, 2008.
Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhjxM37-qpk
Variety:http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=awardcentral&jump=news&id=dga&articleid=VR1117974777
DGA: http://directors-guild.org/news/dgamonthly-0108/evnt_sfaw-0108.php3
Con-Can Film Festival:
http://en.con-can.com/watch/preview.php?id=20081206 Watch & Vote in ENGLISH
http://jp.con-can.com/watch/preview.php?id=20081206 Watch & Vote in JAPANESE
Los Angeles Comic book and Sci-Fi Convention: http://comicbookscifi.com/
Official site: www.akirashiphopshop.com
About Joe Doughrity
Joe Doughrity is a screenwriter, director and documentary filmmaker. He began his career as an assistant to Oscar nominated director John Singleton (Boyz N the Hood). Signed by Creative Artists Agency in the 90s, Joe enjoyed a successful career as a professional screenwriter. After watching many of his scripts languish in development, he decided to make his own films. His first effort, "Seven Days in Japan", won Best Documentary at the San Diego Comic-con International Film Festival in 2005. Joe is a graduate of Columbia College and a member of the Writers Guild of America. He is currently developing a feature length version of "Akira's Hip Hop Shop."
For additional images contact: akirashiphopshop@gmail.com
James Kyson Lee www.jameskysonlee.com
Emayatzy Corinealdi www.imdb.com/name/nm1538675/
OMG that was the cutest short!It really dealt with the specific issues many BW and non BM face when getting together.I certainly hope everyone views the clip and considers buying the DVD.And I just loved the black actresses hair-cut. It really brought out her cheekbones.Both she and the Asian actor were perfectly cast.LOVED it!
Posted by: Felicia | August 26, 2008 at 09:55 AM