Written and directed by Dee Rees and produced by Nekisa Cooper, Cinereach grantee Pariah opens in theaters on December 28th.

Pariah draws you into the life of a Brooklyn teen who juggles conflicting identities while searching for an authentic expression of self and sexuality that doesn’t place her at odds with family, friends or lovers. Its story is painted through the acclaimed cinematography of Bradford Young, and embodied by a stellar ensemble that includes Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, Charles Parnell and Pernell Walker.  A dynamic soundtrack featuring Brooklyn musician Tamar-kali intensifies the film’s pulse.  Dee Rees’ ability to helm all of these talents landed her  Breakthrough Director at this year’s Gotham Awards, and the film has been recognized with two nominations for the Independent Spirit Awards.

Pariah arrives in theaters almost a year after its premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, but its story truly began several years ago when Rees set out to make a short that could be expanded into a feature version.  The challenges and triumphs of the film’s journey are well described in Film Independent’s interview with Rees and producer Nekisa Cooper.  Cinereach is proud to have been one of many organizations along the way to have supported the film.

VIBE’s interviews with Rees and star Adepero Oduye offer you a chance to spend more time with these breakthrough talents, before seeing their outstanding work.  And Nelson George’s recent New York Times article contextualizes Pariah in a range of independent film made by African-Americans from the late 70s to now (including fellow Cinereach grantee Kinyarwanda).  Even better than reading about the film is watching it.

Pariah opens on Wednesday, December 28th in select theaters in NYC and California, and expands further nationwide on January 6th. Visit the Focus Features website for information on where to see Pariah.

When forced to choose between the fragile cohesion of her middle-class family and loyalty to her best friend, a Bronx teenager juggles conflicting identities and risks friendship, heartbreak, and family in a desperate search for sexual expression.

Please vote for Cinereach Grant Recipient PARIAH, a film by Dee Rees & Nekisa Cooper, in the Netflix Find Your Voice Film Competition.

Netflix and Film Independent are looking for the next great independent filmmaker. Ten filmmakers were chosen from thousands of applicants from around the country to submit a short video for public vote. Five finalists will be determined by the total number of stars their submission receives.

PARIAH is a semi-finalist in the competition, and we need your help to move PARIAH into the final round. The winning filmmaker will receive a $150,000 cash production grant plus resources and other production services for a total prize value of more than $350,000!

Voting ends July 5th, so please vote now!

CINEREACH AWARDS $252,500 IN GRANTS
TO NEW FILMS AND PROJECTS
www.cinereach.org

New York, NY (February 19, 2009) – Cinereach today announced more than $250,000 in grants to ten works-in-progress and organizations that exemplify the non-profit’s commitment to socially-relevant, artistic filmmaking.

Recipients of the grants include established directors such as Ramin Bahrani (CHOP SHOP, MAN PUSH CART), emerging filmmakers from as far as Japan and Palestine, and the Rooftop Films 2009 Summer Series. The recipients include both narrative and documentary film projects and tackle topics ranging from environmental degradation to assisted living in fresh and provocative ways. Grants made this cycle range from $10,000 to $35,000.

“This is a tough time for filmmakers and our commitment to supporting meaningful work is stronger than ever,” said Philipp Engelhorn, Cinereach Founder and Executive Director. “We’re proud to be involved with this remarkable group of projects.”

Founded by a group of young filmmakers, philanthropists, and entrepreneurs, Cinereach has distributed more than $1.6 million in grants and achievement awards since its inception in 2006. Past recipients include: THE BETRAYAL (NERAKHOON), a 2009 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary; JIHAD FOR LOVE, the acclaimed documentary exploring the complex global intersections of Islam and homosexuality; and HOMETOWN BAGHDAD, the recipient of four 2008 Webby Awards.

Seeking to make a lasting impact on the film industry, Cinereach also operates The Reach Film Fellowship, which pairs socially-conscious, student filmmakers with mentors like Albert Maysles, Rachel Grady, So Yong Kim and Jeremy Kipp Walker.

Cinereach’s first in-house documentary, THE ROAD AHEAD: THE FIRST GREEN LONG MARCH, which explores the youth environmental movement in China, will screen at The Asia Society in New York City on March 3rd.

The films and projects receiving Cinereach grants this cycle are:

BLOOD FEUD (working title)
Dir. Joshua Marston | USA/Albania | Narrative
A feature-length narrative film which explores the institution of blood feuds and its effect on a family in modern Albania as seen through the eyes of a 17-year-old boy and his younger sister.
HABIBI RASAK KHARBAN (Darling, Something’s Wrong with Your Head)
Dir. Susan Youssef | Palestine | Narrative
A dramatic digital feature that tells the story of a forbidden love in Gaza, and is the modern re-telling of the famous ancient Arabo-Islamic romance “Majnun Layla.”

KUICHI
Dir. Maiko Endo | USA/Japan | Narrative
On the island of Okinawa, 11-year old Kuichi is a biracial boy growing up in a town built by the US military. Like the town itself, Kuichi is trapped between cultures and identities. As he searches for an outlet for his deep spirituality, Kuichi encounters the mythical forces of nature and the history behind the creation of a place not quite American yet not Japanese.

MARMATO
Dir. Mark Grieco | USA/Colombia | Documentary
The film intimately reveals the lives of peasant miners in the historic gold-mining town of Marmato, Colombia as a Canadian multinational mining company plans a total takeover. Through exclusive access to the families affected and activists fighting for their rights, the film will provide insight into the direct effects of how resources are sought, removed, and at what cost to the people and the environment.

PARIAH
Dir. Dee Rees | USA | Narrative
When forced to choose between the fragile cohesion of her middle-class family and loyalty to her best friend, a Bronx teenager juggles conflicting identities and risks friendship, heartbreak, and family in a desperate search for sexual expression.

THE PATRON SAINTS
Dir. Brian Cassidy, Melanie Shatzky | USA/Canada | Documentary
A disquieting and at times surrealistic exploration of an assisted living facility. Bound by first-hand ruminations of Jim, the nursing home’s youngest-and recently disabled-resident, the film is a revealing portrait of the changing nature of bodies and minds.

UNTITLED PROJECT
Dir. Alistair Banks Griffin | USA | Narrative
A new project from Visit Films: When Jack’s mother turns up dead at the edge of a field near their rural home, he and his brother set out on an arduous journey to fulfill her last wish.

UNTITLED RAMIN BAHRANI WESTERN PROJECT
Dir. Ramin Bahrani | USA | Narrative
A new project from the writer and director of Goodbye Solo, Chop Shop and Man Push Cart.

WATCHERS OF THE SKY
Dir. Edet Belzberg | USA/Chad/Rwanda/The Netherlands | Documentary
Traversing time and continents to explore genocide and the world’s response, the film interweaves the lives of four exceptional visionaries with the story of Raphael Lemkin, one of the greatest humanitarians of the twentieth century.

ROOFTOP FILMS 2009 SUMMER SERIES
Mark Rosenberg | USA | Screening Series
Rooftop Films engages large audiences with innovative, entertaining, socially-aware films by hosting screenings in unique locations pertinent to the films’ subject matter, covering issues relevant to the local communities’ diverse audiences. Rooftop Films’ 13th annual Summer Series will present 44 nights of film screenings to approximately 25,000 audience members in spectacular outdoor locations throughout New York City.
About Cinereach
Cinereach was created in 2006 by a group of young filmmakers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs with the goal of championing socially relevant films. It both produces and supports films that challenge, excite innovate, offer new perspectives and inspire action. In the two years since its founding, Cinereach has made over $1.6 million in grants and awards to support and recognize filmmakers, projects and organizations across the globe. Grantees include Witness, The Human Rights Watch Film Festival and groundbreaking films Children of War, Jihad for Love, Project Kashmir, Neither the Veil, Nor the Four Walls, A Nomad’s Life and many others. Through The Reach Film Fellowship, Cinereach supports talented young filmmakers creating meaningful short films with artistic merit. Cinereach’s first in-house documentary, The Road Ahead: The First Green Long March, is an official selection of the Hamptons, Queens and Cleveland International Film Festivals.