13 Months of Sunshine http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/ en Copyright 2008 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:12:24 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Ethiopian Night Screening for African Diaspora Film Festival
13 Months of Sunshine has been scheduled to screen on Friday, Dec. 5th at 8:00pm as part of a special evening program entitled Ethiopian Night. The film will be screened at the Riverside Theatre in the Riverside Church located at 95 Claremont on 120th Street in Manhattan, New York. There will be a filmmaker Q&A afterward. This is part of the African Diaspora Film Festival.]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/10/ethiopian_night_screening_for.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/10/ethiopian_night_screening_for.html Film Updates Screenings and Events Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:12:24 -0800 Screening at the bfm International Film Festival 13 Months of Sunshine is being screened on Saturday 8th November, 8pm at the BFI (British Film Institute) Southbank, London as part of the bfm International Film Festival. If you're in the area, consider going to the screening!]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/10/screening_at_the_bfm_internati.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/10/screening_at_the_bfm_internati.html Film Updates Screenings and Events Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:55:18 -0800 Toronto Film Screening
13 Months of Sunshine will screen on Friday, December 19th 2008 at Toronto's well-known Bloor Cinema. The theatre is located at 506 Bloor Street West and is a very well-run establishment which can hold 400 guests on the main floor, as well as an additional 400 on the balcony if the extra space is needed. Showtime is at 9:30pm, although the box office will open at 8:45pm. After the screening, head to the Habesha Lounge for the afterparty, free of charge! The lounge is nearby the cinema, at 875B bloor west, Bloor and Ossington. Big It Up, a fashion store in Toronto, is sponsoring the screening, and will be giving away some free prizes at the after party! Thanks to Eternal Abyss, which is organizing and handling ticket sales. For ticket locations and other information, email eternal.abyss@hotmail.com or call 647-378-1950.]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/10/toronto_film_screening.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/10/toronto_film_screening.html Screenings and Events Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:17:05 -0800 Washington DC Screening Goethe-Institut 812 Seventh St. NW Washington, DC 20001
View Larger Map]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/08/washington_dc_screening.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/08/washington_dc_screening.html Screenings and Events Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:09:41 -0800 Seattle Screening
View Larger Map]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/08/seattle_screening.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/08/seattle_screening.html Screenings and Events Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:57:00 -0800 bfm Media Internation Film Festival bfm Media International Film Festival 13 Months of Sunshine has been accepted into the bfm Media International Film Festival. Occurring Nov. 7-17 in London, the bfm Media International Film Festival strives to bring "the unseen to light" by exploring and screening black world cinema. Festival director Nadia Denton says, "The 10th anniversary festival will take a new direction which will be more interactive as an event as well as extend it's links and synergy with Black Hollywood, independents and African cinema. The festival will have something for anyone who enjoys cinema." 13 Months of Sunshine is proud to be an official selection for 2008! ]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/08/bfm_media_internation_film_fes.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/08/bfm_media_internation_film_fes.html Screenings and Events Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:08:42 -0800 Africa in the Picture Africa In The Picture We're proud to announce that 13 Months of Sunshine has been accepted into the Africa In The Picture Festival. Taking place September 4-13 in the Netherlands, it's a great film to debut 13 Months of Sunshine to international audiences, and will be a great test to see how well it might do in the general African market.]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/06/africa_in_the_picture.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/06/africa_in_the_picture.html Blog Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:13:52 -0800 13 Months of Sunshine Premiere a Success! Culver Plaza Theaters in Culver City. It was a smash hit event, with the house almost completely packed and the crowd excited about seeing the film for the first time. Many stars and crew members were present, and the pre-show celebration featured red-carpet walks, photography for all the cast and producers, free refreshments and artwork from local artist Ryan Murchel. The night began at 6:00pm when doors opened and people began to enter the theater. By 7:00pm the entire theater was full of guests and dignitaries. At 7:30 people entered the theater and were introduced to the film by MC Frank Lozano, an Hispanic American who got the crowd warmed up with a few jokes and and introduction to the filmmakers. The show itself went smoothly, with lots of enthusiastic crowd responses during the film, and afterward, guests were able to attend a low-key, classy after party at the Bungalow Club. We would like to thank everyone who came out to support the film, and we look forward to future screenings in other parts of Los Angeles and in cities around the United States.]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/06/13_months_of_sunshine_premiere.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/06/13_months_of_sunshine_premiere.html Blog Film Updates Screenings and Events Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:49:13 -0800 13 Months on Cinematical Cinematical Indie gives 13 Months of Sunshine a shoutout and a positive review.
While Abselom strove particularly to make a film that Ethiopians living in other countries could relate to, you certainly don't have to be Ethiopian to enjoy the film and the storyline. Solomon's a lot like a lot of guys his age: He wants to achieve his dreams, but he's not sure how to get there, and he sees the money for his green-card marriage as an easy out, in spite of the risks.
Check out the article here.]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/06/13_months_on_cinematical.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/06/13_months_on_cinematical.html Press Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:28:31 -0800 ETHIOPIAN-AMERICAN ‘13 MONTHS OF SUNSHINE’ TO PREMIERE JUNE 5 ETHIOPIAN-AMERICAN ‘13 MONTHS OF SUNSHINE’ TO PREMIERE JUNE 5 Perky coffee drama is one of the most anticipated films to target Ethiopian-Americans, but also reaches home audiences through language of love and the American Dream. LOS ANGELES – The highly anticipated independent Ethiopian-American drama “13 Months of Sunshine” will premiere in Culver City, CA on June 5, 2008 at 6:00pm at the Culver Plaza Theater located at 9919 Washington Blvd., directly across from Sony Pictures Studios. The red-carpet event will feature stars of the film and producers in pre-show interviews, as well as leaders in the Ethiopian business, political, and religious community. Ethiopian director and writer Yehdego Abeselom and award-winning producers Jeremiah Lewis and Jeff Bartsch (2005 Progeny Festival Best Director, “Zero Sum,” 2004 Progeny Festival Third Place, “Mosquito Man,” 2008 168 Festival, Best Film, “Stained”) have already seen “13 Months”--their first feature film--premiere to critical success in Ethiopian capital city Addis Ababa, setting a record for being the first Ethiopian film to play alongside such Hollywood blockbusters as “I Am Legend,” “Hitman,” “The Game Plan,” and “Enchanted.” Set in and filmed on location in Los Angeles, Abeselom “skillfully teases out the subtle differences between the new and the old immigrant community and socially untouchable taboos in the Ethiopian community in this brilliantly shot film,” says The Ethiopian American. Starring Sammy Amare as Solomon and Tsion Fikreselassie as Hanna, the story revolves around the two entering a false marriage lasting a year and a month. During that time, their relationship goes from casual to serious as they learn to live with each other, but find that outside influences threaten to tear them apart. The film is in Amharic accompanied by English subtitles, runs 102 minutes, with original music composed by Jason Solowsky and a relevant mix of hit Ethiopian artists such as Rehaset, Burntface, Bole2Harlem, and Besu. “13 Months of Sunshine” undergoes a limited release in theaters beginning June 6. ###]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/06/ethiopianamerican_13_months_of.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/06/ethiopianamerican_13_months_of.html Press Promote Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:17:03 -0800 ETHIOPIAN COFFEE DRAMA ‘13 MONTHS OF SUNSHINE’ WRAPS POST, PERKS UP FOR NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE ETHIOPIAN COFFEE DRAMA ‘13 MONTHS OF SUNSHINE’ WRAPS POST, PERKS UP FOR NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE Multicultural Concoction Stirs in Large Doses of Romance, High Fashion & Gov’t Red Tape in African Take on the American Dream LOS ANGELES -- Ethiopian director and writer Yehdego Abeselom and award-winning producers Jeremiah Lewis (Progeny Festival 2005 Best Director “Zero Sum,” Progeny Festival 2004 Third Best In Show “Mosquito Man”) and Jeff Bartsch (168 Film Festival 2008 best film “Stained”) have completed post-production work on the highly anticipated immigration-themed film “13 Months of Sunshine,” named after the official tourism motto of Abeselom’s homeland, it was announced today by Resolve Entertainment. Set in Los Angeles with a cast of dozens of Ethiopian players including newcomers Sammy Amare and Tsion Fikreselassie, Abeselom’s feature debut “skillfully teases out the subtle differences between the new and the old immigrant community and socially untouchable taboos in the Ethiopian community,” says The Ethiopian American. “13 Months of Sunshine” explores the tensions of new arrivals in a land of opportunity. Story revolves around $20,000 in exchange for an arranged temporary marriage lasting a year and a month between Amare’s and Fikreselassie’s characters, during which their relationship travels from casual to serious as they learn to live with each other, but find that outside influences threaten to tear them apart. The 102-min. film is in Amharic, subtitled in English, with original music composed by Jason Solowsky and a relevant mix of hit Ethiopian recording artists such as Rehaset, Burntface, Bole2Harlem, and Besu providing cultural tapestry of sound. Post-production work on the film included sound engineering at industry recording facility Vitello Productions by veteran re-recording engineer R.D. Floyd, and color-timing consultation by PlasterCity Post. Picture is slated for submission to the Zimbabwe International Film Festival, African Diaspora Film Festival, bfm International Film Festival, and the Pan-African Film Festival. “13 Months,” which premiered to critical praise in Ethiopia’s capital city of Addis Ababa earlier this year, is on a fast track to open in the United States, including Los Angeles where it was, as The Ethiopian American called it, “brilliantly shot.” ###]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/06/ethiopian_coffee_drama_13_mont.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/06/ethiopian_coffee_drama_13_mont.html Press Promote Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:14:07 -0800 ‘13 MONTHS OF SUNSHINE’ LIGHTS UP ETHIOPIAN AUDIENCE IN CAPITAL CITY PREMIERE ‘13 MONTHS OF SUNSHINE’ LIGHTS UP ETHIOPIAN AUDIENCE IN CAPITAL CITY PREMIERE Film About Immigration, Coffee, and Love In America Ushers New Era of Ethiopian Filmmaking & Draws Addis Audiences in Droves in Star-Studded Multiplex Gala ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – “13 Months of Sunshine,” debut feature of director Yehdego Abeselom, made history last month by becoming the first Ethiopian-made film to play alongside such major Hollywood releases as “Enchanted,” “I Am Legend,” “The Game Plan,” and “Hitman” in its world premiere at the new state-of-the-art Matti Multiplex Cinema. Attending dignitaries included the Ambassador of Culture and Tourism Mr. Mohammed Dirrer, Laureate Artist Afework Tekle, and Mr. Habteselassie Tafese, the man who originated the official Ethiopian tourism motto “The land of 13 months of sunshine.” Though not present at the premiere, Ethiopian President Girma Wolde-Giorgis spoke with Abeselom on the phone, conveying his congratulations on the film’s success. Described by its filmmakers as “uniquely Ethiopian-American,” “13 Months of Sunshine” explores the tensions of immigrants in a land of opportunity who discover their lives, bound up in Ethiopian culture, must compete with American sensibilities. Starring native Ethiopians Sammy Amare as Solomon and Tsion Fikreselassie as Hanna, the story revolves around their arranged, temporary marriage, lasting a year and a month, and $20,000 Hanna’s family pays Solomon to prove to immigration officials the union is legitimate. Their relationship travels from casual to serious as they learn to live with each other, but they soon find strong outside influences threaten to erode the traditions of their culture and tear them apart. “ ‘Thirteen Months of Sunshine’ has set a new standard for Ethiopian films made in the U.S.,” says The Ethiopian American. Shot entirely in Los Angeles, the film features breakout performances from Amare and Fikreselassie and key work by American Delaine Knight, playing a talent scout who discovers Hanna and draws her into the wilds of fashion modeling. “13 Months of Sunshine” was produced by Abeselom a year after completing Chapman University’s film program. Producers Jeremiah Lewis and Jeff Bartsch have several award winning films between them (Bartsch’s “Stained” took top honors, including Best Film, in the 2008 168 Festival, and Lewis’s “Zero Sum” and “Mosquito Man” earned him Best Director and Third Best In Show at the 2005 and 2004 Progeny Festival, respectively). This is their first feature. ###]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/06/13_months_of_sunshine_lights_u.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/06/13_months_of_sunshine_lights_u.html Press Promote Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:07:01 -0800 Proud Producers Here we are in front of a local Culver City coffee shop, The Conservatory for Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa who have graciously allowed us to put up our poster in their door. We're 3 days away from a premiere and four days away from our first official United States theatrical run. We want you to come out and celebrate with us!]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/06/proud_producers.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/06/proud_producers.html Blog Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:36:39 -0800 Director Yehdego Abeselom on AfricaTelevision.tv Director Yehdego "Bobby" Abeselom is on AfricaTelevision.tv for a 30 minute interview with Charles Anchang, producer and editor of The Immigrant magazine. We'll post a video of this very soon. You can see the interview air again at 6:30pm PDT and 8:20pm PDT on Wednesday, May 21, 2008. ]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/05/director_yehdego_abeselom_on_a.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/05/director_yehdego_abeselom_on_a.html Promote Wed, 21 May 2008 16:17:48 -0800 Sindeck Magazine Reviews 13 Months of Sunshine 13 Months of Sunshine is a witty moral fable with great performances from its first time stars. The film is a delight, especially when Solomon and Hanna are together on the screen. It’s sexy, it’s funny, and even moving all at the same time without really forcing itself onto the audience. Sammy Amare plays Solomon with the earnestness of a man who wants to find greatness and happiness in a business that promotes his country’s beloved gift to the world: coffee…an occupation that has become dominated by huge corporations such as Starbucks, Coffee Bean and others alike. Yet Solomon continues to believe in his dream of opening a coffee shop that will enrich, educate and promote Ethiopian Coffee and the culture behind it all despite all obstacles. And through out the film, it seems that even though coffee is his actual passion and the subject of his devotion, the film intricately and effectively also uses coffee as a metaphor to comment on social values within the Ethiopian community around the world. Tsion plays Hanna as a woman who believes in Solomon, and reminds us that true love is about idealism not always about happily ever after. 13 Months of Sunshine is definitely a must see for the entire family. It enlightens and educates fellow Ethiopians living in Ethiopia about the US and Europe; the hardships and tribulations one could encounter abroad, it also gives hope to a generation of Ethiopian Americans and others living abroad, it shows that every Ethiopian community can still collectively come together and create a community as seen in the film, “Little Ethiopia” and remain close and hold on to a culture that runs deep in their blood just like the ancient traditions of coffee." - Sindeck Magazine]]> http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/05/sindeck_magazine_reviews_13_mo.html http://www.13monthsofsunshine.com/2008/05/sindeck_magazine_reviews_13_mo.html Press Thu, 15 May 2008 12:37:00 -0800