The Artemis Women in Action Film Festival is the first and only film festival honoring kick-ass female driven action films! The festival is taking place at the Ahrya Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills April 22nd through April 24th honoring powerful women on screen, those who contributed to the success of the genre, and the undiscovered talent of the future. From superheroes to super stuntwomen, from martial artists to mighty athletes, from women in law enforcement to women in the armed forces. The festival shines a spotlight on females in film who are fearless, fierce, and revolutionary.
BREAKAWAY DAILY: When did you first
realize that you wanted to pursue music professionally?
Akua:
It’s funny. I waited about seven or eight years after graduating with my
BFA to really consider singing professionally. The ban of smoking in clubs had
a lot to do with my decision. But, most importantly, I had started my family
with my hugely supportive husband, and he pushed me to pursue my passion as a
performing musician. When I graduated I was young and I felt like the music
business was a bit too intimidating for me to navigate at that time.
When Gillian Harris was thirteen, she knew she was special — and that there was more to this world than meets the eye. She was having visions of another lifetime in another place that could only be explained as clairvoyance. Though she didn’t completely understand it at the time, she knew the young man she was seeing in her head was her — like knowing her reflection in a mirror.
Inspired, she spent her life learning about our nature as spirit beings in an eternal existence — and when she discovered the award-winning television show Lost, she saw an opportunity to use the metaphysical masterpiece as a structure for a conversation about life and, more importantly, about life after life.
William Powell discuses his latest novel When Justice Comes Calling, his writing process, as well as films and books including Star Wars, Fight Club, Resident Evil, American Psycho, and Misery.
Hailing from Sutton Surrey in the UK, William’s works include 45 Days, Descent Into Madness and This Is Not An Exit which is a 4th wall breaking meta-story and satirical (yet dark) look at Will’s creative process. Will’s latest book, When Justice Comes Calling, is the final story in his “Justice Anthology.” It is a sequel to 45 Days and Descent Into Madness and picks up a year after the events that saw Dean Moxley succumb to madness and join up with the Dictator’s forces.
Jerry Nelson is a travel and adventure photojournalist as well as a freelance editor. Photojournalism placed right in the heart of the moment. Freelance photojournalist, American, now based in South America and continuing to cover social justice issues globally. His body of work has been seen on leading media companies and top print publications around the globe. His images have been viewed by millions via TV, print, books, online and on tangible products. With humanitarian leanings Jerry has also worked on various assignments in the non-profit and NGO sectors and is always keen to work on all causes close to his own beliefs.
Known as a distinguished stylist, editor, and designer, Parker is a force to be reckoned with. His unparalleled style, and knowledge of his craft has set apart from others in the industry, and has placed in the fast lane to stardom.
BREAKAWAY DAILY: What got you interested in fashion?
PARKER: Fashion/art found an interest within me at the young age of 14 yrs old, I then took the talent god blessed me with and shared it, throwing fashion shows every three months. My old clothing line Coutur’e Parks Designz made a name for itself being more known for the accessories I made to accompany my designs in shoots or runway shows.
Author Derek Schuurman co-wrote The Globetrotter Travel Pack to Madagascarwith Antananarivo-based tourism expert Nivo Ravelojaona. Derek spoke with me about their travel book which is now in its 4th edition.
BREAKAWAY DAILY: What led to the two of you collaborating to write the Globetrotter Guide to Madagascar?
DEREK:
Nivo and I have now been working together for 22 years, specializing in responsible tourism to Madagascar. An author friend of ours, Ian Sinclair, recommended me to the publishers back in 1994. They invited me to write the first edition and I felt it appropriate to ask Nivo to cover the history and cultural sections, as she is Malagasy: I feel that those particular sections of any guide book are so much more effective and authentic when written by people from the countries which the books feature.
Josh Hancock is a teacher and author. His first novel, The Girls of October, is inspired by his love of all things horror–especially John Carpenter’s Halloween, Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and William Friedkin’s The Exorcist.
The Girls of October tells the story of a young woman who develops a strange fascination with John Carpenter’s Halloween, believing that somewhere within the 1978 horror classic lays the truth behind an arcane force that has terrorized her since her childhood. As an escape from a world that has not always been kind, film student Beverly Dreger takes comfort in spooky urban legends, horror movies, and monster magazines.
BREAKAWAY DAILY: When did you first realize you had a passion for entertainment?
FRANKIE: I realized I had a passion for entertainment when I was 7 years old. The first solo I sang in church was entitled I Shall Wear a Crown! After seeing the congregation’s reaction, I knew then I was destined for greatness in the entertainment industry.
BREAKAWAY DAILY: Who have been some of your earliest influences?
FRANKIE: My early influences were Lecresia Campbell, Toni Braxton, Kirk Franklin and Family, Michael Jackson, and Donnie McClurkin.