Tag Archives: Montreal

Congratulations Gabrielle Miller and Alexander Cendese on their engagement!

Gabrielle Miller and Alexander Cendese are happy to announce their engagement. Gabrielle and Alexander met in New York City in 2012 performing together in an Off Broadway play at the prestigious Cherry Lane Theatre in the West Village. Gabrielle is a Gemini award winning actor most known for her work in the hit TV series Corner Gas as well as the recent films Down River and Moving Day. Alexander Cendese is an American/Canadian New York based theatre, film and television actor, as well as a writer and producer, and an Alumni of the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. Together they run Loud Cowboy Productions and split their time between New York and Toronto. Alexander had Gabrielle’s ring designed and cast by Charles Freshman at Freshman’s Inc., a renowned jeweler in Salt Lake City, Utah, est. 1895. Their wedding will take place in August of 2015 at Whispering Oaks Ranch near Moab, Utah.

Social Media Handles

Twitter: @MillerGabrielle@alexcendese
Instagram: @gmiller1

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

HAVEN STUDIO AND THE BABZ CHULA SOCIETY BRING YOU A BIG PARTY DEC 19TH IN VANCOUVER

The Promotion People - Violet Fundraiser

Haven Studio and Babz Chula have organized a fundraiser party for actor and dear friend Violet Cameron.

“Sometimes we need to take care of each other.” – Babz Chula

Despite having had cancer twice and having undergone months on end of brutal treatments, Violet Cameron has remained positive and grateful for every moment. Her words have inspired Ben Ratner‘s students in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Winnipeg. Loretta’s students at Haven Studio have also been deeply touched and inspired by Violet’s bravery. She made many people remember how lucky they are to be able to do what they want to do, and showed them what true tenacity looks like. Violet wants to live, act and inspire others, but she needs our help to have a chance.

“Because of your letters, words of encouragement, love and support, I have gotten my fight back. I am looking forward to the near future when I can walk thru that door to the studio as a free person. Acting is everything to me …thank you for giving me hope.” – Violet Cameron

What: Violet Cameron Fundraiser
When: Thursday, December 19th, 2013
Time: 7PM to 1AM
Where: The Anza Club, 3 W 8th Ave, Vancouver
Tickets: $20

 

Please GET TICKETS IN ADVANCE. This party will sell out fast — it’s a small venue with a great musical line-up.

For more info on Violet’s wellness plan check out: violetcameron.com

Social Media Handles

Website: violetcameron.com, benratner.com
Twitter: @Haven_Studio, @babzchula@loretta_walsh

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

 

Gemini Award-Winning Gabrielle Miller Makes Her Directorial Debut in Seed&Spark’s Newest Project ‘CLAUDETTE’

The Promotion People - Seed & Spark

Gabrielle Miller is set to direct a short film starring her Corner Gas co-star, Tara Spencer-Nairn and Toronto actor, Scott McCord. Currently in pre-production, the film will shoot for two days on December 7th and 8th 2013 in Toronto. Entitled, CLAUDETTE, the script is a murder mystery surrounding the disappearance of the title character’s husband.

Through the platform of Seed&Spark, the film will be produced primarily through donations. They will go forth in whatever manner they can based on their fundraising at that time, which will end a few days after they wrap. This gives viewers a unique opportunity to actually be a part of the outcome by contributing in real time in response to activity on set. Every donation increases their ability to make a better film, and the more they have going in, the more resources will be available on that day.

Find out more about the project and how you can support it at: seedandspark.com/studio/claudette

The Promotion People - Claudette

SYNOPSIS
After an early morning spent replanting her garden, Claudette wearily comes inside her home. It is autumn, the leaves are falling, it’s not the time for this type of yard work, but that does not concern her. She is too concerned with other things.

Once in doors, Claudette removes her gum boots and places them just inside her kitchen next to a muddy shovel. She climbs the stairs, removes her clothes and showers. Claudette towels off. Claudette gets dressed. Claudette quietly and meticulously packs her bags.

Later, in her kitchen, Claudette lights a kettle for tea on the stove, one last cup before– there is a tapping at the back door, a knocking rather. Claudette goes to it.

It is Detective Koslovski. The Detective assigned to her husband’s case. He had been coming around a lot, but not for the last few weeks. She had wondered about that… she wonders why he was back here now. On today of all days.

Koslovski admires her garden. Claudette agrees to allow him to come inside once he tells her that some ‘news’ has come to light.

In her living room she sits with Koslovski as he explains that the people that her husband owed money to are not the type of people that one would necessarily want to owe money to.

Claudette lets this information bounce off of her shoulders as casually as she can, declaring it was not she but her husband, Jeremiah, who owed the money. Claudette’s evasiveness leads Koslovski to call out the elephant in the room. He states aloud that it is most likely that her husband has absconded leaving his troubles for her to deal with.

The tea kettle in the kitchen whistles. Claudette asks if Koslovski would like some tea and begins to wonder just what exactly Koslovski is here to ask her…

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Promotion People - Gabrielle Miller

GABRIELLE MILLER – Director/Producer

Gemini award-winning Gabrielle Miller (Corner Gas, Call Me Fitz, Moving Day) has appeared in over 75 productions in the past two decades. She is best known for her lead roles on two television series: the runaway hit CTV series Corner Gas, and the critically acclaimed dramedy Robson Arms. In 2013, Gabrielle was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for her role in Mike Clattenburg’s feature film Moving Day, the opening film for the Canadian Images Program at VIFF in 2012. Combined, Gabrielle has garnered 12 Gemini and Leo Award nominations and five wins. In 2012, Gabrielle had the honor of being a member of Oldenburg International Film Festival’s first ever all female jury. Gabrielle can be heard this fall in the City TV/Hulu adult animated series, Mother Up!, and her most recent foray in the world of independent film, Down River, can be seen in theaters in the Spring of 2014. Gabrielle splits her time between her residences in New York and Toronto.

“I come from a performing background, having been an actor for over twenty years in Canada and the United States. I am very excited to be making my directorial debut with CLAUDETTE.” – Gabrielle Miller

 

The Promotion People - Alexander Cendese

ALEXANDER CENDESE – Writer/Producer

Alexander Cendese is a American/Canadian actor, writer and producer living in New York and Toronto. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to a Canadian father and an American mother, Cendese spent significant time in Florence, Italy growing up, before attending the Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp and eventually, Carnegie Mellon, where he received his Bachelor’s in Acting from the School of Drama in 2004. In 2004, Cendese took up permanent residency in New York City, where he has been a working actor ever since. In 2011, Cendese developed, produced and appeared in the feature film, Blumenthal, starring Brain Cox and Laila Robins. Blumenthal had its world premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2013 and is set for a spring 2014 release. Cendese has produced several short films, including Feeling Tall, and Defaced, which he wrote, shot, edited and directed, and he recently wrapped principal photography on the feature, Best Man in the Dark, which he co-wrote and starred in. Since November of 2012, Cendese has maintained a home in Toronto, as well as New York City.

“I wrote CLAUDETTE for Gabrielle Miller to direct. She is one of the most talented actors I have ever known and having been closely involved with her over the last few years has led me to understand her deep desire to approach story telling from a new perspective. We both share an innate interest in telling stories specifically about women who do extraordinary things. Without painting Claudette’s actions one way or the other, it can certainly be said that she is a surprising woman.” – Alexander Cendese

The Promotion People - Tara Spencer-Nairn

TARA SPENCER-NAIRN – Claudette

Spencer-Nairn was born in Montreal, raised in Vancouver and currently calls Toronto home. A former competitive gymnast, she is a graduate of the Vancouver Film School. Her big breakthrough came in 1999, when she was cast as Lou in the highly-acclaimed film New Waterford Girl which played at Sundance and TIFF and was nominated for seven Genie awards. Tara is best-known for her Gemini-winning turn as Karen Pelly on the #1 rated sitcom Corner Gas. She can currently be seen in the recurring role of Sandy in CTV’s hit drama The Listener.

Photography credit: Ted Belton

The Promotion People - Scotty Headshot

SCOTT MCCORD

Scott Mccord is an actor, musician, voice actor and filmmaker. He is bandleader for the soul-rock band SCOTT MCCORD AND THE BONAFIDE TRUTH (Best New Artist of the Year Nominee – 2010 Maple Blues Awards). Scott recently appeared on stage in Rosa Laborde’s MARINE LIFE (Aluna Theatre) and Sky Gilbert’s NAKED HAMILTON.

Film and TV credits include LOST GIRL, 16 BLOCKS, SHOOT EM UP, REPUBLIC OF DOYLE and THE ELEVENTH HOUR. Animated TV series include TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND, BAKUGAN BATTLE BRAWLERS, MOTHER UP! and CAMP LAKEBOTTOM. Scott’s voice acting talents led to him being invited to New Zealand and Australia as a celebrity guest for ARMAGEDDON FAN EXPO 2011.

The Promotion People - Ken Krawczyk

KEN KRAWCZYK, CSC – Director of Photography

Having been behind the camera on many award winning series like, Corner Gas, Hiccups, and recently, In Security, Ken Anton Krawcyzk has experienced success at many levels as a director of photography. Although best known for his series work, Krawcysk’s love for motion photography goes beyond television comedy. Driven to create engaging photography for over twenty five years, Krawczyk has extended his craft to many feature film and commercial projects. Krawcyzk was nominated for the Gemini Award for best photography in a comedy program in 2008, 2010, and 2011. Most recently he was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for his photography on In Security in 2013.

Social Media Handles

Website: seedandspark.com/studio/claudettegabriellemiller.com
Facebook: Seed&SparkGabrielle MillerScott Mccord
Twitter: @claudetteshortf@MillerGabrielle@alexcendese, @TSpencerNairn@ScottyMcCord, @seedandspark

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

Classic Romantic Comedy John Apple Jack To Premiere at VAFF in November

“For those with the luxury to live out loud and proud… now what?”

The Promotion People - John Apple Jack

From Skycorner Entertainment Ltd., new generation film John Apple Jack addresses gay pride and self-acceptance. Producers Monika Mitchell, Rick Tae, and Selena Paskalidis are proud to introduce the fun crowd pleaser, where sexuality is secondary to dreams, self-worth, happiness, responsibility and family.

John Apple Jack will have its world premiere at the Centre Piece Gala Film during the Vancouver Asian Film Festival on Saturday, November 9th at 7:00pm. For tickets visit: vaff.org/festinfo/vaff-17-day-3-program-8

The feature film will then move on to Montreal’s ImageNation before its network premiere on OUTtv.

Starring Chris McNally as John Jardine and Kent S. Leung as Jack Gaang, the romantic comedy has been featured on NovusTV, Daily Xtra, and GayVancouver.

Interview with NovusTV can be viewed online here: youtube.com/watch?v=lvWjrkyeEmY

About The Film

Set in Vancouver’s East-meets-West glamorous restaurant industry, the challenge for both John Jardine and Jack Gaang is to find a way to blend money, sex, love and family into one sumptuous recipe for life.

John Jardine is a handsome gay man and heir to a restaurant empire. John lives with extravagance – champagne, fast cars and fast men – bedding nearly every hot guy in town. After coming out to his parents, John looks for any opportunity to prove his worth to the world.

Jack Gaang is an overly responsible Asian-Canadian who has slept with no man. Jack finds himself settling into a full-time job, a gal pal, an offspring, and an ambition in the culinary industry to sidestep his feelings for John, his childhood crush. He has quietly given up hope that John would ever fall for him and support his dreams of running a restaurant together one day.

As years of mounting tensions culminate into an over-heated argument in the kitchen, Jack throws an apple at John’s head — bruising his boss’s ego and unfurling a series of ill-timed events that teach them both good reasons to grow up.

For these two opposites, romance must ensue… especially when Jack is about to marry John’s sister! After John finds out about the wedding, passions ignite and his life spirals out of control… losing his job, his playboy reputation and his underwear – all while rushing to the altar to finally confess his love! Promiscuous John was once easy for Jack to ignore. But a newer, penniless, more soulful John may soon prove too hard to kick to the curb.

Chris McNally – imdb.com/name/nm2901423/?ref_=tt_cl_t1
Kent S. Leung – imdb.com/name/nm4141406/?ref_=tt_cl_t2
Mkenzie Scott – imdb.com/name/nm1745779/?ref_=tt_cl_t3

 

About The Crew 

 The Promotion People - John Apple JackMonika Mitchell – Director/Co-Producer

Monika’s filmmaking career started with three independent films: Night Deposit, Witness and Break a Leg (2000-2003), attending 90 international film festivals, winning 27 awards and qualifying for Academy Award consideration with both shorts. Having won Slamdance’s Anarchy Audience Award in 2000, she was a programming contributor for the festival the following two years (2001, 2002). In 2009, she was chosen by Vancouver Olympic Committee and the Cultural Olympiad to curate the film program for Canada during the Olympics and Paralympics of 2010. She acquired, commissioned and/or produced 72 films that were enjoyed by over 13 million viewers worldwide. In 2011 her original script was chosen to participate in Whistler’s CFC’s Producer’s Lab. Monika continues to direct episodic television (beginning with Robson Arms in 2004) and has worked for networks including CBC, CTV, Lifetime and Logo, while developing her own feature projects. She most recently directed the pilot “The Switch” for Trembling Void Productions and OutTV in Summer 2013.

 

 The Promotion People - John Apple Jack

Rick Tae – Writer/Producer

Rick has created films, shorts, TV, multimedia and theatre content currently in various stages of distribution, production and development. He was selected for the NSI Totally Television Program and awarded Telefilm Canada support as a screenwriter/producer. In addition to writing/producing his first feature John Apple Jack, Walk the Dog sold to The Movie Network and Air Canada, and received a Canadian Comedy Award nod, while web-series Marco Chow Massage has garnered fans worldwide. Rick has worked with VAFF in previous years, coached actors and writers in Vancouver and LA, produced/directed Award winning and nominated theatre productions, garnered Gemini and Leo Award nods and a win for his acting work and assisted director/producer Roland Emmerich for Sony Pictures’ blockbuster “2012”.

 

 

The Promotion People - John Apple Jack

Selena Paskalidis – Producer

Selena has worked her way up very quickly in Canada’s film, television and digital industries. She started her career as the head of business affairs in long form drama, moving effortlessly into development before taking the reins of production. In 2013 alone, she ushered two features through production, launched a digital brand and is just about to lock financing on her third feature to shoot in the spring of 2014. For the two features already in the can, Selena secured sales and festival gala premieres for John Apple Jack and Telefilm Post Production support for Naked Night Bike, a mid-life crisis comedy that is just completing post-production. Additionally this year, Selena launched a revolutionary digital brand for the creation of online networks, called Dotstudioz (www.dotstudioz.com); designed and implemented the digital strategy for Vic Sarin’s latest documentary, Hue and the iphone and web apps for the reality series Eat St. for Paperny Productions. In previous years, Selena saw the short film she produced Walk The Dog enjoy Official Selection in the 2009 CFC Humor Me Cross Canada Tour and Canadian Comedy Award nominations. Her project The Bryce Lee Story was selected for the Just For Laughs Comedy Boot Camp. Selena is dedicated to ensuring that the smart, funny writers and directors in her midst get their films made, seen and enjoyed by a world-wide audience.

Executive Producer: Todd Giroux
Associate Producer: Jhod Cardinal

 

Social Media Handles

Website:  johnapplejack.com
Twitter: @johnapplejack
Facebook: John Apple Jack Movie
Trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=QKKUKIXqE5E
Vimeo: vimeo.com/77379732

 

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

Rising young star Summer H. Howell stars as Alice ‘Curse of Chucky’ and as Nascien in the feature film “The Last Druid: Garm Wars”

Curse of Chucky to be released on Digital on September 24th
and on Blu-ray and DVD on October 8th

The Promotion People - Summer H. Howell

Summer H. Howell, a young and upcoming actress is headed to the fast track of fame. This fall, Summer stars as Alice in the newest installment of the chilling Child’s Play franchise, Curse of Chucky. When a mysterious package arrives at the house of Nica, she doesn’t give it much thought.  However, after her mother’s mysterious death, Nica begins to suspect that the talking, red-haired doll her visiting niece has been playing with may be the key to the ensuing bloodshed and chaos. Written and directed by Dan Mancini, the film stars Brad Dourif, Fiona Dourif and Danielle Bisutti. Curse of Chucky comes exclusively to Blu-ray™ and DVD on October 8 and will also be available on Digital on September 24. The North American premiere was held on August 2 in Montreal at the Fantasia Film Festival and the World premiere was held on August 22 at the London Fright Festival.

Summer also stars in the feature film ‘The Last Druid: Garm Wars’, which will be in theatres Spring 2014. In a world where clone soldiers from three military tribes are locked in a perpetual battle of air, land, and technology, one clone is separated from the battle, and finds herself on the run with a group of unlikely companions. Directed by Mamoru Oshii, the screenplay is written by Geoffrey Gunn, draws inspiration from an original story by author Kazunori Ito, and stars Melanie St. Pierre, Jordan Van Dyck, and Summer H. Howell.

The Promotion People - Summer H. Howell

Growing up in St. Andrews, Manitoba, Summer has just turned 9 years old.  Summer recently became interested in acting when her twelve year old brother Chase was noticed by talent scouts through an open casting call in Winnipeg years ago.  Although Summer was still too young and shy to audition at the time, her parents noticed her potential talent. They noticed her impromptu actions and discovered how quickly she memorized a Crest commercial provided at a casting call.

Summer began helping Chase with his auditions and also took some acting classes with PTE.  She then took an audition intensive course with Casting Director Jim Heber, who started calling Summer to audition for larger roles.  Jim Heber raved about both kids to Jessica Martin, one of Toronto’s top agents, who has high praise for Summer, and anticipated she would do well quickly.

Summer auditioned for two horror movies last spring and landed the second audition for the role of Alice for Curse of Chucky, which filmed in Winnipeg last fall 2012.  Director Don Mancini was blown away with her acting ability and was impressed with her professionalism on a movie set, for being such a young age.

The Promotion People - Summer H. Howell

“I have worked with many child actors during my career, and Summer is easily one of the best. She is exceptionally gifted, extremely intelligent, versatile, and “direct able.” Pegging a major film role on a child’s performance can be an intimidating prospect for a director. On Curse of Chucky, the bottom line is that Summer made our movie work. “On top of all that, she is a total hoot and a pleasure to be around.” says Don Mancini, writer-director, Curse of Chucky.

In April 2013, she filmed ‘The Last Druid: Garm Wars’ in Montreal. Both films were a rewarding experience for Summer. Serious about acting, Summer plans to continue auditioning and studying for potential roles.

Her parents are supportive and say, “Our smart, mischievous, and talented little bug works hard at everything she does”.  In addition to acting, Summer enjoys singing, drawing, reading, writing, and playing soccer.  She has two dogs; Angel, a 7 year old Miniature American Eskimo-Sheltie cross and a 3 year old Havanese Lhasa Apso cross.  Summer is a determined and talented young actress to watch for on television and in future feature films.

Social Media Handles

IMDb: Summer H. Howell
Website: heroartists.com
Twitter: @1_SummerHHowell, @RealDonMancini, @HeroArtists, @curseofchucky_
Facebook: facebook.com/HeroArtists

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

Award Winning Actor/Director Juan Riedinger Wins Again–Taking Home Two Leo Awards Over the Weekend

Multi-award winning actor Juan Riedinger can add two new wins to his resume; taking home two Leo Awards at this year’s awards ceremony. Juan won the ‘Best Performance in a Web Series’ award for “Pavement”-Wake Up, and ‘Best Performance in a Youth or Children’s Program or Series’ award for his role in “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour”-Coat Rack Cowboy. The Leo Awards were distributed to the best in B.C. film and television this past weekend in Vancouver.

The Promotion People Juan R

Juan took home the Best Performance awards for his leading role in the exciting new web series entitled “Pavement”. Set on the streets of LA, Juan plays Mitch, a Meth-addicted father who is desperately trying to keep his family together. Juan was the only Canadian actor in the production, working alongside ER Ruiz (Sons of Anarchy).

The Promotion People Juan R

On TV, Juan won Best Performance in a Youth or Children’s Program or Series’ for R. L. Stine’s “The Haunting Hour” – Coat Rack Cowboy. He played John ‘Mad Dog’ McCoy, an Old West gunslinger who comes back to haunt two brothers he believes cut down the tree he was hanged from. Juan worked alongside the youngest of the Jonas Brothers – Frankie Jonas. Juan was also nominated in the same category at last year’s Leos for a different character on the same show.

Juan took home two out of the three awards he was nominated for this year. He was also nominated for ‘Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Feature Length Drama’ for the feature film “Havana 57″. The film was the first ever Canadian-Cuban co-production and was shot entirely on location in Havana, Cuba. “Havana 57” follows Rubén Velez (Juan Riedinger), a newly appointed homicide detective in the Havana police force in 1957, just before the Cuban revolution.

These past few years Juan has been extremely busy filming in Los Angeles, Cuba, Mexico, Montreal, Toronto, Rhode Island, Vancouver, and even in his hometown of Banff. Juan and his wife Agam Darshi played a couple for the first time in the short dramatic film “Reunion”. The film was shot in Sayulita, Mexico (where the real-life couple were married) and in Los Angeles earlier this year.

The Promotion People Juan R

Juan just completed filming a supporting role in a feature film entitled “Broken Horses”, by Bollywood legend Vidhu Vinod Chopra (Three Idiots, Parinda), where he worked alongside Vincent D’Onofrio, Anton Yelchin, and cinematographer Tom Stern (The Hunger Games, Mystic River). He is also a lead character in the horror feature “Alice D.”, also starring horror legend Kane Hodder. Juan also has the leading role of Jess in the post-apocalyptic web series called “Breakers”, currently in production.

Juan has received a long list of industry accolades for his performances. He won a 2012 Leo Award for Best Performance by a Male in a Short Drama for his leading role in the film “blood/sweat/tears”. He was given the ‘Best Actor’ award at the 2011 Indy Horror Film Festival for his leading role in “On a Dark and Stormy Night,” which was also awarded ‘Best Feature.’ He also recently became the only two-time recipient of the A&E Short Filmmaker’s Award for his short films “Shark Out of Water” and “Birth Day”. Riedinger’s role in the independent film Zero Hour also won him two best actor awards at festivals in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Juan was also nominated for Best Actor in the 2012 Chicago Horror Film Festival for his leading role in the acclaimed feature-length thriller Spades.

The Promotion People Juan R

Juan’s other list of notable credits include: playing Peter Whyte from a teen until his death in “Drawing Home”; a supporting role in the horror-comedy, “Jennifer’s Body” alongside Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried and Adam Brody; a supporting role in “Hardwired”, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Val Kilmer; a role in “Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem”, as the ill-fated stoner, Scotty; and shared the screen alongside Jennifer Connely in “The Day the Earth Stood Still”.

Multi-talented Riedinger made his directorial debut on the film entitled “Shark Out of Water”, which he also wrote and received four Leo Award nominations for, including Best Short Film and Best Direction in a Short Film. The film deals with two poker-obsessed young men who must come to terms with their addiction, and includes a cameo appearance by internationally renowned poker champion Phil Hellmuth. The official website for Juan’s Leo Award-nominated directorial debut is now live at: sharkoutofwater.com.

“Float” is a 35mm short film which Juan directed with a grant from Bravo!FACT, and made its Canadian premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival. There Juan received the award for ‘Most Promising Director of a Canadian Short Film’. The film also made its world premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

Riedinger, originally from Banff, Alberta, moved to Vancouver to pursue acting full time. Soon after, he won a nationwide casting call for a recurring role in Showcase’s “Godiva’s”. He also landed a supporting lead in “Shred” alongside Tom Green, and guest starred in such television shows as “Smallville”, “Fringe”, and “Continuum”.

Social Media Handles

Website: juanriedinger.com
Twitter: @JuanRiedinger

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Jasmyn Pozzo – Publicist
jasmyn@thepromotionpeople.ca
705.255.6887

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

Award Winning Actor/Director Juan Riedinger is nominated for three awards at the 2013 Leo Awards

The Promotion People Juan R

Multi-award winning actor Juan Riedinger has been nominated for three Leo Awards: ‘Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Feature Length Drama’ for “Havana 57”, ‘Best Performance in a Youth or Children’s Program or Series’ for “R. L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour”- Coat Rack Cowboy, and ‘Best Performance in a Web Series’ for “Pavement” – Wake Up. The Leo Awards take place at the spectacular Westin Bayshore Vancouver on June 7th and 8th.

H57

Juan’s first nomination is for his starring role in the feature film “Havana 57”. The film was the first ever Canadian-Cuban co-production and was shot entirely on location in Havana, Cuba. “Havana 57” follows Rubén Velez (Juan Riedinger), a newly appointed homicide detective in the Havana police force in 1957, just before the Cuban revolution. His brother, a university professor named Luis, is actively involved in the student uprisings prevailing in Havana at the time. Velez is caught between two worlds – the crooked police force he belongs to, and the student rebels, who his own brother supports. After being seduced by Juliana (Elisabetta Fantone), a Cuban dancer with ties to the mob, Velez must decide where his allegiances lie.

pavement

Juan is also nominated for his leading role in an exciting new web series entitled “Pavement”. Set on the streets of LA, Juan plays Mitch, a Meth-addicted father who is desperately trying to keep his family together. Juan was the only Canadian actor in the production, working alongside ER Ruiz (Sons of Anarchy).

The Promotion People Juan R

On television, Juan has been nominated for Best Performance in a Youth or Children’s Program or Series’ for R. L. Stine’s “The Haunting Hour” – Coat Rack Cowboy. He played John ‘Mad Dog’ McCoy, an Old West gunslinger who comes back to haunt two brothers he believes cut down the tree he was hanged from. Juan worked alongside the youngest of the Jonas Brothers – Frankie Jonas. Juan was also nominated in the same category at last year’s Leos for a different character on the same show.

These past few years Juan has been extremely busy filming in Los Angeles, Cuba, Mexico, Montreal, Toronto, Rhode Island, Vancouver, and even in his hometown of Banff. Juan and his wife Agam Darshi played a couple for the first time in the short dramatic film “Reunion”. The film was shot in Sayulita, Mexico (where the real-life couple were married) and in Los Angeles earlier this year.

Juan just completed filming a supporting role in a feature film entitled “Broken Horses”, by Bollywood legend Vidhu Vinod Chopra (Three Idiots, Parinda), where he worked alongside Vincent D’Onofrio, Anton Yelchin, and cinematographer Tom Stern (The Hunger Games, Mystic River). He is also a lead character in the horror feature “Alice D.”, also starring horror legend Kane Hodder. Juan also has the leading role of Jess in the post-apocalyptic web series called “Breakers”, currently in production.

The Promotion People Juan R

Juan has received a long list of industry accolades for his performances. He won a 2012 Leo Award for Best Performance by a Male in a Short Drama for his leading role in the film “blood/sweat/tears”. He was given the ‘Best Actor’ award at the 2011 Indy Horror Film Festival for his leading role in “On a Dark and Stormy Night,” which was also awarded ‘Best Feature.’ He also recently became the only two-time recipient of the A&E Short Filmmaker’s Award for his short films “Shark Out of Water” and “Birth Day”. Riedinger’s role in the independent film Zero Hour also won him two best actor awards at festivals in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Juan was also nominated for Best Actor in the 2012 Chicago Horror Film Festival for his leading role in the acclaimed feature-length thriller Spades.

The Promotion People Juan R

Juan’s other list of notable credits include: playing Peter Whyte from a teen until his death in “Drawing Home”; a supporting role in the horror-comedy, “Jennifer’s Body” alongside Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried and Adam Brody; a supporting role in “Hardwired”, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Val Kilmer; a role in “Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem”, as the ill-fated stoner, Scotty; and shared the screen alongside Jennifer Connely in “The Day the Earth Stood Still”.

Multi-talented Riedinger made his directorial debut on the film entitled “Shark Out of Water”, which he also wrote and received four Leo Award nominations for, including Best Short Film and Best Direction in a Short Film. The film deals with two poker-obsessed young men who must come to terms with their addiction, and includes a cameo appearance by internationally renowned poker champion Phil Hellmuth. The official website for Juan’s Leo Award-nominated directorial debut is now live at: sharkoutofwater.com.

“Float” is a 35mm short film which Juan directed with a grant from Bravo!FACT, and made its Canadian premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival. There Juan received the award for ‘Most Promising Director of a Canadian Short Film’. The film also made its world premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

Riedinger, originally from Banff, Alberta, moved to Vancouver to pursue acting full time. Soon after, he won a nationwide casting call for a recurring role in Showcase’s “Godiva’s”. He also landed a supporting lead in “Shred” alongside Tom Green, and guest starred in such television shows as Smallville, Fringe, and Continuum.

Juan resides with his wife Agam Darshi in both Los Angeles and Vancouver. Juan is available for interviews and photos upon request.

Social Media Handles

Website: juanriedinger.com
Twitter: @JuanRiedinger

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Jasmyn Pozzo – Publicist
jasmyn@thepromotionpeople.ca
705.255.6887

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

Acclaimed pop-culture artist & alluring performer Elisabetta Fantone returns to Canada to display unique artwork at Vancouver’s Kurbatoff Gallery April 11th to 23rd, 2013

The Promotion People Elisabetta Fantone

Italian-French Canadian actor, artist and author Elisabetta Fantone continues to impress with her talent in many mediums; excelling in artistic, film and literary projects. The international beauty is not only a talented actor, widely recognized reality television personality, model and author, but a gifted painter as well. Elisabetta has been garnering attention across North America for her engaging Youtube videos, which capture her creating her dynamic art pieces, from start to first. To personally view some of Elisabetta’s pieces come to life, visit her Youtube channel: youtube.com/user/OfficialElisabetta

Currently, Elisabetta is gearing up for her next show (her first solo show on Canada’s West Coast) at the Kurbatoff Gallery from April 11th-23rd, 2013. Her recreations of the images of iconic figures are widely popular, and are often acknowledged by the subject of her pieces! She was notably commissioned by the Kardashian sisters to showcase a piece of her art in their famed clothing boutique “DASH”, in Miami.

The Promotion People Elisabetta Fantone

This latest art show comes after Elisabetta’s well-publicized tour of her artwork across North America last year. She had her pieces displayed at the Kurbatoff Gallery, The Thompson Landry Gallery in Toronto during TIFF, the Soho Gallery in Montreal and the Myra Galleries in Miami. Her shows paid homage to classic icons, including Marilyn Monroe, Mick Jagger, Audrey Hepburn and Marlon Brando.

Her artistic work isn’t the only aspect of her career on the rise: The vivacious actor is starring in the original feature film “Havana 57”. The noir mystery marks the first co-production between Canada and Cuba, and touched upon the subjects of the mob, revolutions and a beautiful dancer, played by Elisabetta.

The Promotion People Elisabetta Fantone

“Havana 57” follows Rubén Velez (Juan Reidinger), a newly appointed homicide detective in the Havana police force of the 1950s, before the Cuban revolution. Velez is working on the case of a murdered chorus girl with connections to the mob, but soon finds himself in danger when his idealistic principles of justice meet head-on with the corrupt and brutal practices of the police force. Elisabetta plays Juliana in the film, a torrid Cuban dancer and roommate to the murdered chorus girl. Juliana seduces detective Velez and reveals secrets that lead him to the killer, but also puts herself in the mob’s line of fire. She finds herself torn between her need to survive and her love for Velez.

The Promotion People Elisabetta Fantone

This multi-talented beauty has been busy with acting roles since she was discovered in 2006 when she won over the hearts of French speaking Canadians thanks to the insatiably popular docu-reality TV series “Loft Story”, of which she quickly shone as the break out star. Since then, Elisabetta has accomplished numerous artistic endeavors, including film and television, modeling, music, painting and literature. She has already released her first book entitled “Journal intime d’une Lofteuse”. Just a few short years later, she had added celebrated pop-art painter and vocalist as additions to her already impressive repertoire.

Elisabetta decided that she would marry her two passions of painting and performing, and head to the U.S. to further both talents. Born in Montreal to Italian parents, Elisabetta grew up with her three older brothers and made the move to Italy at the age of four where she caught the acting bug. Elisabetta, a true animal lover, now lives in Miami with her two small dogs, a Chihuahua named “Dolce” and a Mini-Pin named “Topolina”.

When not gracing the covers of magazines around the globe, doing TV interviews, or working, Elisabetta enjoys reading, working out, playing 80‟s video games and baking. She is also passionate about charity and has been associated with Breast Cancer and Aids charities as well as The Children’s Foundation in Montreal. Elisabetta continues to volunteer her time hosting events, doing commercials and auctioning her paintings to raise awareness and money for charity.

The Promotion People Elisabetta Fantone

Social Media Handles

Website: elisabetta.ca
Facebook: ELISABETTA FANTONE
Twitter: @elisabettatweet

YouTube: OfficialElisabetta

Contact The Promotion People

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People
Instagram: @promotion.people

Multilingual Star-on-the-Rise Cristina Rosato Appearing on Television Shows Across North America

The Promotion People Cristina Rosato

Montreal native Cristina Rosato continues her rise in Canada’s film and television industry through a number of new, diverse and marking roles. Among her many upcoming appearances is a role as Samantha Kaye on the popular CBC series “Republic of Doyle”, airing April 14th, 2013. The multi-talented, multilingual actor also plays Francesca on ABC’s dramatic series “Rookie Blue” (which also airs on Global TV in Canada). Her ability to speak several languages fluently helped her book the role of Francesca, which was rewritten to be an Italian-speaking character after Cristina auditioned for the role speaking in an Italian accent.

Cristina can also be seen alongside some of the country’s most notable performers on the hit Radio-Canada French TV series “Trauma”. The series, created and produced by Fabienne Larouche, is in its fourth season and as popular as ever with audiences and critics alike. The drama follows the lives of emergency room doctors—with Cristina among the ensemble cast, playing a controversial Italian neurosurgeon, Dr. Giulia Amaro.

Cristina next appears alongside David James Elliott and Julia Ormond in Reelz Channel’s “Exploding Sun”, as a woman who must bid farewell to her husband in space through Skype, while earth is in jeopardy of being destroyed by a meteor.

The Promotion People Cristina Rosato

Cristina’s busy slate of projects are just the latest credits in an already impressive career for the actor in the entertainment industry. Past credits include roles on CBS’s “Flashpoint”, Showcase’s “Lost Girl”, the Space TV movie “Borealis”, and “XIII: The Series”, opposite Stuart Townsend.

Cristina is most proud of her starring role in the bilingual horror film “Territories”. She played a writer forced to give up false information while being tortured as a hostage at Guantanamo. The film was shot in both French and English and challenged her as an actor both physically and emotionally, through long hours of shooting in frigid Montreal temperatures.

The gorgeous actor splits her time between Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Los Angeles and New York, while continuing to expand her talents both in front of and behind the camera.

Cristina has wanted to be an actor for as long as she can remember. Her passion for the performing arts led her to study acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. Cristina’s hope for the future is to continue working alongside actors that inspire her and to take on more challenging roles. The versatile performer would also like to act on the New York stage as well as write, direct and host “Saturday Night Live” one day.

This hockey-loving actor maintains a very healthy and active lifestyle through running, yoga, ballet and doing random headstands!

The Promotion People Cristina Rosato

Social Media Handles

YouTube:  Cristina Rosato Demo Reel
Twitter: @Rosats

Contact The Promotion People

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People
Instagram: @promotion.people