Richard Roundtree, Charles Burnett, St. Clair Bourne, Carroll Blue, and Dr. Maria Moreno Vega to headline ZORA! Celebration of New Black Cinema, January 28-29
The School of Film and Digital Media at the University of Central Florida to host mini Film Festival during Hurston'04

Eatonville, FL - It's a mini film festival packing a powerful punch. ZORA! Celebration of New Black Cinema will screen several documentaries and films including a world premiere, plus host a panel of accomplished industry insiders like actor Richard Roundtree of the original "Shaft" and director Charles Burnett of "To Sleep With Anger". "I'm hoping people walk away with a keener sense of our history and the meaningful works that address our community through the arts", said Anthony Major, assistant director of The School of Film and Digital Media at the University of Central Florida.

The Zora Neale Hurston Institute is an institution for documentary film where teachers of black cinema come for instruction during its summer program. The institute falls under the umbrella of Major's department at UCF. "Hopefully this premiere film festival will empower our community to continue to document our history before it's all lost." He says the institute looks to marry filmmaking and social responsibility - particularly to underrepresented communities.

The School of Film and Digital Media at the University of Central Florida will host ZORA! Celebration of New Black Cinema, January 28-29. The event schedule is as follows:

Screening of HBO Documentary: "Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks",
This is a definitive documentary on the master filmmaker, photographer and composer, Gordon Parks.
WHEN: 7-9 pm
Q&A w/St. Clair Bourne, Producer
WHERE: Enzian Theater
1300 Orlando Avenue
Maitland

Screening of the Original "Shaft", directed by Gordon Parks
Gordon Parks' groundbreaking film opened doors for black filmmakers into Hollywood and the world of mass audiences.
WHEN: Wednesday, January 28, 9:30-11pm
WHERE: Enzian Theater

Filmmakers Panel, "The Future of Black Film Culture" (January 29, 2004)
Famous filmmakers Richard Roundtree (actor), Charles Burnett (director), St. Clair Bourne (producer-director), Carroll Blue (director), and Dr. Maria Moreno Vega (producer) discuss issues regarding film and culture.
WHEN: Thursday, January 29, 10-11:30 am
WHERE: UCF Campus
Luncheon, 12-1:30 pm

Screening of Documentary "Cuando los Espiritus Bailan Mambo" ("When the Spirits Dance Mambo")
Shot primarily in Cuba, this is a visually stunning and richly entertaining new film that traces the journey of African thought and philosophy from West/Central Africa to Cuba and New York.
WHEN: Thursday, January 29, 2:30-5pm,
Q&A with Filmmaker
WHERE: Enzian Theater

World Premiere Screening and Party
A festival first: a new film from a contemporary black filmmaker
WHEN: Friday, January 30, 8:30 pm
WHERE: Lowes Universal Cineplex
6000 Universal Blvd.
Orlando

Premiere Party
WHEN: 11 pm-12 am
WHERE: The Hard Rock Hotel
5800 Universal Blvd
Orlando

The Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, Inc. (Preserve Eatonville Community) will host the 15th Annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities (Hurston Festival '04), January 28-February 1, 2004, in Eatonville, Florida, Hurston's hometown (located ten miles north of downtown Orlando). The theme for Hurston Festival '04 is "A Feast for the Eyes -A Celebration of Visual Art". An incomparable line-up of guest artists is set to participate in this event that features a mixture of world-class arts and humanities programming. Legendary artist, Elizabeth Catlett, will headline "In Conversation", Thursday, January 29. Dr. John Hope Franklin, James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of History, Duke University will present the inaugural Zora Neale Hurston Arts and Humanities Lecture on Friday, January 30. Additionally, Elizabeth Catlett, Gordon Parks and Samella Lewis will be the 2004 recipients of the Zora Neale Hurston Festival Award.

Preserve Eatonville Community began planning this annual festival as an international event in 1988 to:

1. Celebrate the life and work of Zora Neale Hurston;
2. Celebrate Historic Eatonville, her hometown, popularly known as the first municipality in the United States incorporated by African-Americans; and
3. Celebrate the cultural contributions people of African descent have made to U.S. and to world culture

Ultimately, Preserve Eatonville Community's goal was to utilize arts and culture as a viable tool for economic development in Eatonville.

The Hurston Festival is an award-winning national event that has received a number of recognitions, including:

1. Designation as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2004 by the American Bus Association;
2. Designation as a "cultural/heritage tourism success story" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express," 2001; and
3. Regional Designate Award in the Humanities 1994-95 and 1995-96, The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, Cultural Olympiad.

Organized in five-year cycles, the 15th Festival concludes a series of themes that has emphasized "Creativity in the Zora Neale Hurston Tradition." Hurston Festival '04 presents an especially compelling program.

Media representatives are invited to cover all aspects of the event. Contact Terri Vismale-Morris or Tess Vismale at 404.346.0410 or E-mail newideas@bellsouth.net for all media inquiries.

Call 407.647.3307 or visit www.zoranealehurstonfestival.com for registration and ticket information.

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