Tag Archives: Toronto

Author, Comedian, & Public Speaker Jessica Holmes to host A Woman’s Legacy Event on Nov. 21

Jessica Holmes joins former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, famed Canadian songstress Jann Arden, and best-selling author of Introverts Susan Cain in the incredible line up of inspirational women visiting Toronto to speak at A Woman’s Legacy Event on November 21, 2013.

This annual event draws an audience of motivated women including successful businesswomen, entrepreneurs and the who’s who in the city to learn first hand from internationally renowned women. Bridging a cross section of industries to come together and be empowered. A Woman’s Legacy brings together experts who speak about their personal stories and their secrets to success in areas that cover communication strategies, motivation, smart investing, innovation, stress management and more.

Tickets are available from $189 and can be purchased on line at legacymastery.com

Jessica Holmes – Author, Comedian, & Public Speaker

Jessica Holmes starred on Royal Canadian Air Farce and The Holmes Show, and is the author of I Love Your Laugh: Finding the Light in my Screwball Life. Also a Life Coach, she tours Canada with her quirky combination of humour & inspiration.

Holmes has opened for comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Leslie Nielsen, and Ellen DeGeneres, as well as hosted events for such visionaries as Deepak Chopra, Tony Robbins, and Oprah Winfrey! Although a comedian at heart, having performed with the Second City and Just for Laughs, Holmes has recently delved into writing: penning the book I Love Your Laugh: Finding the Light in My Screwball Life. Jessica majored in writing at Ryerson’s Radio & Television Arts BFA program, and again ended up spending her free time involved in comedy: acting in and then directing the annual sketch comedy show, titled RIOT. There, a few of the performers dared each other to try stand up. Four of them, Jessica included, performed at amateur night at The Laugh Resort. Jessica was hooked on the terrifying adrenaline ride that is stand up comedy, and decided to try it on as a career. During her years on Air Farce, Jessica had two children, Alexa and Jordan, with her actor husband Scott. Holmes wrote her first book, I Love Your Laugh: Finding the Light in my Screwball Life, in 2010. Having fallen in love with public speaking, Holmes decided to deepen the scope of her material by becoming a Life & Career Coach through San Diego’s Life Purpose Institute. She now enjoys a mix of comedy & motivational speaking.

Social Media Handles

Website: jessicaholmes.com
Twitter: @happyfeetholmes, @JuliaGillard, @jannarden, @susancain

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

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

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

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

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.

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/claudette, gabriellemiller.com
Facebook: Seed&Spark, Gabrielle Miller, Scott 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

Actor Agam Darshi stars as Officer Khali Bhatt in CTV’s original undercover Cop Drama ‘Played’ premiering October 3rd

Agam recently won a Leo Award for her role in “Crimes of Mike Recket”

Leo Award winner Agam Darshi plays Officer Khali Bhatt – “The Truth Teller” in CTV’s original undercover cop drama ‘Played’. The heart pounding premiere, entitled “Drugs” will be aired Thursday, Oct. 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV.

Set and shot in Toronto, the high-risk drama “Played” tracks an undercover police unit as it infiltrates criminal organizations through different case stories/”plays”.
Agam’s character Officer Khalil Bhatt is an urban and young undercover cop attracted to the adrenalin, intensity, and dark glamour of her work. Khalil proves to be a real asset for the team with her honestly, directness, and effortless skill with technology. Outside of work, Khali is an extrovert – chasing the next party, the next cute guy, the next sunrise after an all-nighter. “Played” also stars Gemini Award-nominee Vincent Walsh, Chandra West, Lisa Marcos, Dwain Murphy, and Adam Butcher.
It has been an exciting year for in-demand actress Agam Darshi winning the Leo Award for Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Motion Picture in the feature “Crimes of Mike Recket”.

Showing her talent behind the camera, Agam made her directorial debut in the nine-minute short film “Fade Out”. The BravoFact short film follows an aging actress, who is desperate to keep herself together on the night of her movie premiere. “Fade Out” stars Ona Grauer, Adrian Holmes, Chelah Horsdal and David Lewis.

Agam was previously nominated for 2 Constellation Awards for her role on “Sanctuary”, a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Ensemble for her role on “Dan for Mayor”, and a Leo Award for Best Supporting Actress in the film “Excited”.

Agam’s other notable credits include a principal role as Aparna in the Blockbuster film “2012”, a recurring role on “The L Word”, a lead in “Haunting on Soroity Row” (alongside Gossip Gil’s Leighton Meester), as well as roles on “Snakes on a Plane” and “Final Destination 2”.
Agam, who was born in England, has been raised all over Canada. She has lived in Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver. She now splits her time between Vancouver and Los Angeles.

Photographer: Franco Valerio. Stylist: Claudia DaPonte
Makeup and Hair: Natacha Trottier

Social Media Handles

Website: agamdarshi.com
Twitter: @AgamDarshi
Facebook: Agam Darshi

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

Actor Agam Darshi’s Role in “Crimes of Mike Recket” Garners Industry Acclaim with Latest Leo-Award Nomination

Canadian actor/director and all-around talent Agam Darshi has been nominated for a Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Motion Picture award at the 2013 Leo Awards (which take place June 7th & 8th, 2013). The nomination for Agam came from her performance in the feature “Crimes of Mike Recket”. It’s been an exciting year for the in-demand actress, who among her other high profile recent appearances and new roles, directed her first film (which she also wrote). She worked alongside some of the country’s top leading ladies (Crystal Lowe and Sandy Sidhu, who produced the project) to bring the BravoFact short film “Fade Out” to life. She will also be seen this fall in the new CTV series “Played”, currently in production.

Agam is thrilled to again be nominated at the Leo’s (which honour the best in British Columbia’s television and film), but she is no stranger to industry nods: She has been nominated for 2 Constellation Awards for her role on “Sanctuary”, a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Ensemble for her role on “Dan for Mayor”, and previously for a Leo Award for Best Supporting Actress in the film “Excited”.

The buzzed-about actor is currently in Toronto shooting “Played”, a new police drama series which airs on CTV this fall. “Played” follows an elite undercover police unit set up to infiltrate otherwise impenetrable criminal worlds. These cops (led by Deception’s Vincent Walsh) perform high-wire acts, nerve-wracking confidence games or “plays”. Agam’s character’s greatest assets: blunt honesty and an effortless skill with technology.

Agam’s directorial debut in “Fade Out” gave her a chance to show her talent behind the camera. The nine-minute film (also written by Agam) stars Ona Grauer, Adrian Holmes, Chelah Horsdal and David Lewis. It follows an aging actress, who is desperate to keep herself together on the night of her movie premiere.

Agam’s other notable credits include a principal role as Aparna in the blockbuster film “2012”, a recurring role on “The L Word”, a lead in “Haunting on Soroity Row” (alongside Gossip Gil’s Leighton Meester), as well as roles on “Snakes on a Plane” and “Final Destination 3”.

Agam, who was born in England, has been raised all over Canada. She has lived in Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver. She now splits her time between there and Los Angeles. She has been writing and producing films since her graduation from the Studio 58 Film Arts program at Langara College—and has been on a steady rise in the industry, with fans from around the globe.

Social Media Handles

Website: agamdarshi.com
Twitter: @AgamDarshi
Facebook: Agam Darshi

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

Tammy Gillis Returns to Television Screens Across North America With Roles in ABC’s New Series “Motive” and the Award Winning “Less Than Kind”

Acclaimed Canadian actress Tammy Gillis guest-stars in an episode of the new television series “Motive”, set to premiere on ABC on May 23rd, 2013. Tammy’s performance received rave reviews when her episode (entitled “Detour”) aired in Canada. “Detour” will air this summer on ABC. “Motive” has become a quick hit; it was recently being picked up by CTV for a second season, and was recently acquired by Universal Channel UK. The buzzed-about series stars Kristin Lehman, Louis Ferreira, Brendan Penny, Roger Cross and Lauren Holly.

Tammy will also be returning to her hilarious recurring role for the fourth and last season in the multiple Canadian Screen Award winning, television series “Less Than Kind”. The final season of this fan favorite show premieres on June 2nd, 2013 in a 2-episode event. Tammy will be appearing in the premiere event, in the episode titled “Girl Trouble”. The original comedy series airs on DirectTV and HBO Canada. The role has Tammy starring as Barbara, a new mother and trophy wife to Jack. Barbara is young, pretty and full of life—maybe a little too full of life with her Jekyll and Hyde personality.

One of the roles that Tammy is most proud of is her leading role in the independent feature film “Under the Apple Box” which screened and won Honorable Mention at the 2013 New Jersey Film Festival as well as screened at the Women’s International Film Festival in Miami. “Under the Apple Box” written, produced and directed by Ellie Fox, is a compelling and beautifully-filmed feature about an Iranian woman Leila, played by Tammy, who is forever tormented by her past.

Last year, Tammy co-starred in a steamy episode of Showcase’s “Lost Girl”. Tammy’s other television roles include CW’s “Supernatural” and the SpikeTV comedy “Blue Mountain State”. She has been seen on Global TV series’ “Endgame” and “Shattered”, and played Rachael Leigh Cook’s best friend in the thriller “Stealing Paradise”, which aired on The Movie Network, Movie Central and Super Écran.

This talented actress has amassed a number of impressive credits throughout her career, including roles in feature films such as “Shooter”, and “White Noise 2: The Light”. Her television appearances include the critically acclaimed CBC series “jPOD”, “Reaper”, “The L Word”, and the final season of “Battlestar Galactica”. Tammy has worked on a number of MOW’s as well: one opposite Linda Hamilton in “Home for Christmas”, and another with Kim Basinger in “The Mermaid Chair”.

This gorgeous performer was one of Femme Fatale’s ‘Fresh Faces of the Year’ and has been featured in UMM and Sharp for Men. Her successful career began as a model, and led to her being one of the main spokesmodels for underwear Ginch Gonch. This role had her representing the line around the world, from Canada to France to El Salvador. Since then, she has moved on to film and television, not only in front of the camera, but behind it as well. Gillis has acted as a producer on a couple of short films, including “Dealing with Jerks” and “Din”. She currently has a number of projects in development that she has written, including two feature films and a webisode series titled “Goodnight Tammy”.

Since the move from her Manitoba farming roots to pursue her dream of acting, Tammy has become a successful and respected member of the entertainment industry in Canada. Tammy currently splits her time between Vancouver and Toronto, and travels to LA (and around the globe) for projects.. When she isn’t busy on set, the multifaceted performer loves to stay active—she loves skiing and is currently addicted to some dance Kundalini yoga!

Social Media Handles

Website: tammygillis.com
Twitter: @Tammy_F_Gillis
Youtube: Under the Apple Box Trailer
Facebook: Tammy Gillis

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

“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.

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.