Joanne Borgella, a Haitian Queen.

Sandy Jean-Philippe and Joanne Borgella. Joanne hosted the Evolution of Curves fashion show which helps build houses in Haiti.

The Industry lost an amazing person this week. Supermodel/Singer/Designer Joanne Borgella lost her battle with cancer. I truly don't know where to begin. Words cannot express what I am feeling right now. I had the honor to meet and work with my role model,  Ms. Borgella when participated in the Evolution of Curves Charity fashion show event for Haiti. She was an amazing spirit. In an industry that can be so volatile, catty, and nasty, she did not allow any of it to hinder her success or affect her genuine spirit.

 

I followed her career from day one. As the winner of "Monique's Fat Chance", she made her mark and let us know she was a force to be reckoned with. She moved on to American Idol and Super Model status at the most prestigious modeling agency in the world, Whilemina Models. As a Haitian entertainer I was left in amazement when I saw her grace a magazine cover and shine her on tv. I was so proud and excited to see her success. This is yet another blow to the plus size industry, to lose such a positive spirit. No one can replace her and what she represented. I send my thoughts and prayers to her family, fiance, friends and the many lives that she impacted. Rest In Paradise, Joanne Borgella.

Posted by Sandy Jean Philippe AKA SpotLightDiva (www.thespotlightdiva.com)
 

"Lakay" comes to Cali

Attention Haitians in Los Angeles! 

"Lakay", a documentary about post-earthquake Haiti, will screen in Los Angeles on October 24th, 2014 and will be followed by an after-party. So mark your calendars!

"Lakay" is fresh off its successful premiere at the Harlem International Film Festival. It chronicles the journey of two brothers who go back to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake to find family members but in the end they rediscover Haiti and find themselves. 

Directed by Tirf Alexius, "Lakay" tells the tale of growing up in America during a time when it was unpopular to be Haitian, dealing with embarrassment and denial. The film delves into issues of identity and what it means to be Haitian for these brothers. While they anticipated finding a broken nation, they found instead, a vibrant and resilient people.

The film opens in select cities on October 17th, 2014. Check out Lakay's website and "like" the Facebook page for more information. www.lakaydoc.com

Check out the trailer below!

The American Film Market

 

It’s that time of the year! The American Film Market (AFM) kicks off in less than a month. AFM is one of the biggest markets in the world. It attracts buyers, sellers and film makers from across the globe. I will be travelling to South Africa soon to prepare a group of filmmakers for AFM and for a trip to Los Angeles. Then I will attend the market with them from November 5^th to November 12^th. Stop by our office at the Loews – Room 316. AFM has released a great guide to “working” the market. If you have a movie to sell and plan on attending AFM, here are three basic items to keep in mind. 

(     1) Start early. 6 weeks before AFM is pushing it! Register early so that AFM can give you access to the database. That database is a treasure trove of contact information for sales agents and distributors. Once you have access to the database, that’s when the real work begins. Sift through the list and find the companies that are most compatible with your project(s), send emails to them requesting meetings during AFM. Keep in mind that those meetings will likely be scheduled for the second half of the market.

(  2) Remain open. Once at the market, show up on time for your meetings, keep an open mind and a positive attitude.  You never know who you’ll meet in an elevator or at one of those fancy parties at nearby hotels. Make sure to attend happy hour in the Loews atrium. Bring business cards and give them out!

(  3) After the market. Follow up. Send a quick email thanking companies you met with or people you connected with during the market.

    

     Check out AFM's advice here --->HOW TO WORK THE AFM

     See you at AFM!