Celebrity

Award-Winners & US Premieres Dominate Miami Dade College’s Miami Film Festival GEMS 2016 Lineup

Published

10 years ago

September 15, 2016

Miami, FL (FNN NEWS) By MDCMFF — Miami Dade College’s Miami Film Festival, the only major film festival worldwide produced by a college or university, unveiled today their lineup for GEMS 2016, the annual four-day fall film event taking place October 13-16, 2016. A precursor to the 34th annual Festival event in March 2017, Miami Film Festival’s GEMS continues to deliver quality films that inspire, provoke, and entertain, allowing the South Florida community to immerse themselves in a cinematic ride that will take them to unexpected places. The announcement took place at the Wynwood location of the Festival’s official timekeeper, Shinola.

In making the announcement, the Festival’s executive director and director of programming Jaie Laplante said: “These are the movies that matter the most, right now. These are grand visions of our humanity and what is becoming of us. This is cinema that shows us life as novels and television cannot.”

Marcos Carnevale

This year’s lineup includes major Award winners I, Daniel Blake (Cannes Palme D’Or) and The Salesman(Cannes Best Actor & Best Screenplay); Oscar candidates Toni Erdmann(Germany’s official submission) andNeruda (Chile’s official submission); and US premieres of major Ibero-american box office hits Kiki, Love to Love (Spain) and Marcos Carnevale’s Inseparables (Argentina).

Carnevale, a crowd favorite in Miami for earlier hits Elsa y Fred and Corazón de León, will be this year’s PRECIOUS GEM AWARD recipient for his career of popular and humanistic gifts to cinema. The presentation of the award will be made before the US premiere screening, and an after-screening party in his honor will be held at El Tucán nightclub in downtown Miami.

The Rolling Stones Olé Olé Olé: A Trip Across Latin America

To kickoff of the festival on a high note, GEMS will open with the Florida premiere of the much anticipated documentary The Rolling Stones Olé Olé Olé: A Trip Across Latin America, follows the rock giants on a road trip in early 2016 as they tour South America for the first time in over a decade. The film focuses especially on the dramatic lead up to their history-making final stop in Havana, Cuba. Opening night festivities include a “Rolling Stones’” party with music, food and drinks.

Christine

As an ongoing staple of the Festival’s work, films with South Florida connections will be highlights of GEMS.Christine, based on the true story of Sarasota TV reporter Christine Chubbuck from the 1970’s featuring an Oscar-buzz performance by Rebecca Hall; Certain Women by Miami native Kelly Reichardt; and American indie film icon Jim Jarmusch’s documentary Gimme Danger about Miami resident and punk rock legend Iggy Pop, will all receive their Florida premieres at the Festival.

In looking ahead to the Festival’s 34th edition in March, the Festival also announced that its poster artist for the 2017 Festival would be Argentine designer, photographer and graphic artist Juan Gatti, founder of Gatti Studios in Madrid, and that the unveiling of the poster would take place during GEMS 2016. For over 4 decades, Gatti has contributed some of modern cinema’s most unique credit and title sequences, in films for Pedro Almodóvar (includingWomen on the Nervous Breakdown, High Heels, Broken Embraces, Volver), Alex de la Iglesia, Manuel Gómez Pereira, Susan Seidelman, Félix Sabroso and many more.

The full GEMS 2016 film slate includes:

1. The Rolling Stones Olé Olé Olé: A Trip Across Latin America (UK), directed by Paul Dugdale. *OPENING NIGHT FILM There are few places The Rolling Stones have never played. Until this past spring, Cuba was one of them.
2. Inseparables (Argentina), directed by Marcos Carnevale. Spanish with English subtitles. *U.S. PREMIERE, PRECIOUS GEM AWARD NIGHT FILM An inspired Argentine re-imaging of the French film The Intouchables, this version stars Oscar Martinez and Rodrigo de la Serna in bravado performances.
3. Certain Women (USA), directed by Kelly Reichardt. FLORIDA PREMIERE Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart and Michelle Williams play three fascinating women not to be underestimated in rural Montana.
4. Christine (USA), directed by Antonio Campos. FLORIDA PREMIERE The compassionate true story of one of the most shocking stories in Florida television news history.
5. Don’t Call Me Son (Mäe Só Há Uma) (Brazil), directed by Anna Muylaert. Portuguese with English subtitles. FLORIDA PREMIERE The mysteries of maternal love envelop a young man who discovers he was stolen from his crib when he was a baby.
6. Gimme Danger (USA), directed by Jim Jarmusch. FLORIDA PREMIERE A candid, funny, and poignant reflection on Iggy Pop’s career.
7. I, Daniel Blake (UK/France/Belgium), directed by Ken Loach.FLORIDA PREMIERE. *WINNER OF CANNES FILM FESTIVAL PALME D’OR. A working-class man prevented from working by his health condition fights a soulless bureaucracy that denies him societal aid.
8. Kiki, Love To Love (Kiki, El amor se hace) (Spain), directed by Paco Léon. Spanish with English subtitles. *U.S. PREMIERE The biggest box office hit of the year in Spain so far, Kiki is a playful and pleasurable comedy about self-actualization through sexual fulfilment.
9. Neruda (Chile/Argentina/Spain/France), directed by Pablo Larrain. Spanish & French with English subtitles.FLORIDA PREMIERE *CHILE’S OSCAR SUBMISSION FOR BEST FOREIGN FILM. Gael Garcia Bernal stars in a slyly imaginative period piece, poised at the intersection of art, ambition and politics in 1940s Chile.
10. Old Stone (Lao Shi) (China/Canada), directed by Johnny Ma. Mandarin with English subtitles. FLORIDA PREMIERE Based on real-life incidents in China, Old Stone is both a Kafkaesque nightmare of bureaucratic stupidity and a harrowing, impossible-to-shake thriller.
11. The Salesman (Forushande) (Iran/France), directed by Asghar Farhadi. Farsi with English subtitles. FLORIDA PREMIERE *WINNER OF CANNES FILM FESTIVAL BEST ACTOR & BEST SCREENPLAY Two actors in an Iranian production of Death of a Salesman find the production’s morality begins to seep into their own lives after a brutal attack.
12. Soy Nero (Germany/Mexico/France), directed by Rafi Pitts. English & Spanish with English Subtitles FLORIDA PREMIERE *BEST FILM WINNER, BUCHAREST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL A DREAM-Act teenager of Mexican descent fights to live in the community in which he was born, trading service to the USA in a quest for legitimization.
13. Toni Erdmann (Germany), directed by Maren Ade. English & German with English Subtitles. FLORIDA PREMIERE. *GERMANY’S OSCAR SUBMISSION FOR BEST FOREIGN FILM Beautifully constructed on every level, this German comedy is a love song to the divine maelstrom of parental love.

Tickets will go on sale to Miami Film Society (MFS) members exclusively on Friday, September 16, 2016 and to the general public on Thursday, September 22, 2016. Tickets: 1-844-565-6433(MIFF) or www.miamifilmfestival.com/GEMS.

Opening Night Film + “Rolling Stones” Party $50 general / $40 for MFS (Opening Night Film only: $25 general admission / $20 MFS). Marcos Carnevale Precious Gem Award Screening + El Tucan Award Night Party $85 general // $50 MFS (Inseparables film screening only: $25 general admission / $20 MFS). All other screenings $13 adults, $12 seniors, $10 MFS members. Group rates are available. For membership opportunities or more information, please visit Miami Film Festival or call 305-237-FILM (3456). Miami Film Festival is the only major film festival event housed within a college or university. Guests of the GEMS Festival are hosted exclusively at Mandarin Oriental Brickell in Miami.

Celebrity

Ananda Lewis: A Legacy of Empowerment and Advocacy

Published

11 months ago

June 12, 2025

Kareen Kennedy

Source: People.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) –Ananda Lewis, the charismatic MTV VJ and talk show host, passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 52, after a courageous battle with stage 4 breast cancer. Her sister, Lakshmi Emory, confirmed the news, sharing that Ananda passed away peacefully in her Los Angeles home.

Born on March 21, 1973, in San Diego, California, Lewis rose to prominence in the late 1990s as a VJ on MTV, hosting shows like Total Request Live and Hot Zone. Her engaging personality and insightful interviews made her a beloved figure among viewers, and she earned accolades such as an NAACP Image Award for her work on BET’s Teen Summit.

Beyond her television career, Lewis was a passionate advocate for social issues. She launched The Ananda Lewis Show in 2001, addressing topics like domestic violence and breast cancer, aiming to provide a platform for meaningful conversations. Her commitment to authenticity and social impact resonated with many, and she continued to use her platform to inspire and educate.

In 2020, Lewis publicly disclosed her diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer and later revealed that it had progressed to stage 4. Despite medical advice recommending a double mastectomy, she chose alternative treatments, later expressing some regret about that decision. Throughout her illness, Lewis remained vocal about cancer awareness, encouraging women to prioritize their health and live authentically.

Ananda Lewis leaves behind a legacy of empowerment, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to her values. Her influence extended beyond the entertainment industry, inspiring countless individuals to embrace authenticity and advocate for positive change.

Her passing marks the loss of a significant figure in entertainment who also became a voice for health advocacy. Her legacy includes a strong commitment to authenticity and social impact, and her estimated financial worth was around $8 million.

Ananda Lewis’s impact on television and her dedication to social causes have left an indelible mark on the industry and the hearts of many.

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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com

Celebrity

Val Kilmer, Iconic ‘Top Gun’ Star, Dies at 65

Published

1 year ago

April 3, 2025

Kareen Kennedy

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) –Val Kilmer, one of Hollywood’s most memorable actors, has passed away at the age of 65. Known for his dynamic range and unmistakable voice, Kilmer captivated audiences with his standout performances in a career that spanned over four decades.

A Career Full of Iconic Roles

Kilmer’s breakout role came in the 1980s with Top Gun (1986), where he portrayed the cocky and charming fighter pilot, Iceman. The film catapulted him into stardom alongside Tom Cruise, and it remains one of the most iconic films in Hollywood history. Kilmer’s portrayal of Iceman left an indelible mark on pop culture, with his line “I am dangerous” becoming an enduring catchphrase.

Beyond Top Gun, Kilmer’s career featured a diverse range of roles, from playing the suave rock star in The Doors (1991) to the legendary Batman in Batman Forever (1995). He brought depth to each of his characters, making them memorable even in smaller roles, such as his comedic turn in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005). His performances were often praised for their intensity, wit, and ability to disappear into his roles.

A Life Beyond the Screen

Kilmer’s life was marked by both triumph and personal struggles. Despite his fame, he was known for his private nature and his journey battling throat cancer. In recent years, Kilmer’s health struggles became widely known, as he had to undergo a series of surgeries that left him with a diminished ability to speak. However, he continued to embrace his craft and the fans who loved him, most recently appearing in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), a sequel to the film that first made him a star.

The documentary Val (2021) offered fans a rare, candid look into his life, showcasing not only his successes but also his personal battles and the deep affection he had for his craft. Through this film, Kilmer shared never-before-seen footage from his personal archive, allowing fans to see the man behind the roles.

A Legacy That Will Live On

Kilmer’s death marks the end of an era for Hollywood. He leaves behind a legacy of timeless performances that will continue to resonate with generations of fans. From the depths of his dramatic portrayals to the highs of his action-packed roles, Val Kilmer’s impact on cinema is undeniable. His unforgettable presence and voice, once a hallmark of his performances, will be greatly missed by fans and colleagues alike.

Val Kilmer is survived by his children and countless fans who cherished him throughout his illustrious career. His contributions to film will continue to inspire new audiences for years to come, reminding us of the power of storytelling and the ability of one man to shape the very fabric of cinema.

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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com

Celebrity

LPGA Pros Shutout Celebs at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions “Break The Glass” Challenge

Published

1 year ago

January 28, 2025

Mike Brodsky

Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (Florida National News) – Some big names in sports, entertainment, and music can be found with golf clubs in hand at The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, this weekend. About 50 celebrities will compete for a $500,000 purse, while LPGA Tour players try to grab their share of $2 million in prize money.

Today, LPGA pros Megan Khang, Alexa Pano, and Bailey Tardy took on celebrities Landon Donovan, Major League Soccer legend, Michael Peña, award-winning actor, and Kira Dixon, Reporter and Miss America 2015 in the annual “Break The Glass” challenge. The LPGA pros shutout the celebs 3-0. You can watch the action here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFYsQKbyiAi/?igsh=YzZlNG9rNXhvbnRy. (And be sure to follow Florida National News on Instagram and Facebook.)

Lydia Ko returns to defend her title, after adding an Olympic gold medal and membership in the LPGA Hall of Fame to her resume since last year’s tournament. Actors Don Cheadle and Larry The Cable Guy, NBA stars Blake Griffin and Ray Allen, and Pro Football Hall of Famers Marcus Allen and Charles Woodson are just some of the celebs hitting the links Thursday, 1/30 through Sunday, 2/2. Tickets and more information are available online at http://www.HGVLPGA.com.