The Will Book Club (Wbc), an initiative of the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation (Wjsff), announced today a new collaboration with the CAA Foundation’s Ready Set mentorship program.
The initiative is designed to launch reading groups for its volunteers centered around the themes within Smith’s memoir, “Will by Will Smith.” Those themes include developing healthy relationships, being your authentic self, harnessing the power of the mind and developing habits for success. The reading groups will be invited into the immersive world of the memoir and Smith’s life journey through global book club communities, heartfelt conversations and exciting events.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with the Wbc on our Ready Set initiative, as we all have a shared goal of helping young people succeed,” said CAA Foundation Executive Deborah Marcus. “Through our partnership, we’ve launched the next phase of our campaign, Ready Set Read, to provide...
The initiative is designed to launch reading groups for its volunteers centered around the themes within Smith’s memoir, “Will by Will Smith.” Those themes include developing healthy relationships, being your authentic self, harnessing the power of the mind and developing habits for success. The reading groups will be invited into the immersive world of the memoir and Smith’s life journey through global book club communities, heartfelt conversations and exciting events.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with the Wbc on our Ready Set initiative, as we all have a shared goal of helping young people succeed,” said CAA Foundation Executive Deborah Marcus. “Through our partnership, we’ve launched the next phase of our campaign, Ready Set Read, to provide...
- 1/7/2022
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix Announces Will Smith-Led Documentary Series ‘Amend: The Fight for America’ (TV News Roundup)
In today’s TV news roundup, Netflix announced the docuseries “Amend: The Fight for America,” and Peacock released a trailer for its continuation of the hit ’80s sitcom “Punky Brewster.”
Dates
Netflix announced the six-part docuseries “Amend: The Fight for America” will premiere on Feb. 17. Executive produced and hosted by Will Smith, each hour-long episode will explore American history through a lens that will have its viewers questioning what a “United States” really means. Terence Carter, Jana Babatunde-Bey, Jamal Watson, Tom Yellin, Robe Imbriano, Jonna Mclaughlin, Angus Wall, Larry Wilmore also executive produce. Watch a trailer below.
Allblk announced that their six-episode original sitcom “Millennials” will begin premiering weekly on Feb. 25. Centered on the lives of four 20-something roommates and their neighbors across the hall, the new comedy follows them navigating the chaos of being young and finding success in the city of angels. “Millennials” stars Kyle Massey, Keraun Harris,...
Dates
Netflix announced the six-part docuseries “Amend: The Fight for America” will premiere on Feb. 17. Executive produced and hosted by Will Smith, each hour-long episode will explore American history through a lens that will have its viewers questioning what a “United States” really means. Terence Carter, Jana Babatunde-Bey, Jamal Watson, Tom Yellin, Robe Imbriano, Jonna Mclaughlin, Angus Wall, Larry Wilmore also executive produce. Watch a trailer below.
Allblk announced that their six-episode original sitcom “Millennials” will begin premiering weekly on Feb. 25. Centered on the lives of four 20-something roommates and their neighbors across the hall, the new comedy follows them navigating the chaos of being young and finding success in the city of angels. “Millennials” stars Kyle Massey, Keraun Harris,...
- 2/3/2021
- by Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
Will Smith is set to host Amend: The Fight for America, a Netflix documentary series that asks the evolving question, “What does it mean to be an American?” Executive produced by Smith and Larry Wilmore, the six-parter launches February 17. Check out a teaser above.
Created by Robe Imbriano and Tom Yellin, Amend: The Fight for America explores the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution — which, in 1868, promised liberty and equal protection for all persons — as America’s most enduring hallmark of democracy. The six-hour docuseries deploys a groundbreaking narrative format featuring a number of luminaries including Mahershala Ali, Diane Lane, Samuel L. Jackson, Pedro Pascal, Yara Shahidi breathing life into speeches and writings by the Fourteenth Amendment’s most ardent advocates and foes such as Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Andrew Johnson among them. It also offers insights from an inclusive array of contemporary thought leaders and experts.
Created by Robe Imbriano and Tom Yellin, Amend: The Fight for America explores the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution — which, in 1868, promised liberty and equal protection for all persons — as America’s most enduring hallmark of democracy. The six-hour docuseries deploys a groundbreaking narrative format featuring a number of luminaries including Mahershala Ali, Diane Lane, Samuel L. Jackson, Pedro Pascal, Yara Shahidi breathing life into speeches and writings by the Fourteenth Amendment’s most ardent advocates and foes such as Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Andrew Johnson among them. It also offers insights from an inclusive array of contemporary thought leaders and experts.
- 2/2/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
On Tuesday, Netflix announced its forthcoming six-part docuseries “Amend: the Fight for America,” hosted by Will Smith.
Executive produced by Smith and Larry Wilmore, the project “enlightens, entertains and challenges what Americans know about the Fourteenth Amendment” — which grants equal protection under the law to all U.S. citizens — “and the unwavering fight for equality.”
The series features Mahershala Ali, Diane Lane, Samuel L. Jackson, Pedro Pascal, Yara Shahidi and more stars performing speeches and writings by supporters and foes of the amendment, including Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Andrew Johnson.
“Amend: the Fight for America” premieres Feb. 17. Watch a trailer for the series above.
The project is produced by Westbrook Studios, The Documentary Group, Wilmore Films and MakeMake Entertainment, and was created by Robe Imbriano and Tom Yellin. Kenny Leon and Reinaldo Marcus Green direct from a script by Sasha Stewart. Will Smith,...
Executive produced by Smith and Larry Wilmore, the project “enlightens, entertains and challenges what Americans know about the Fourteenth Amendment” — which grants equal protection under the law to all U.S. citizens — “and the unwavering fight for equality.”
The series features Mahershala Ali, Diane Lane, Samuel L. Jackson, Pedro Pascal, Yara Shahidi and more stars performing speeches and writings by supporters and foes of the amendment, including Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Andrew Johnson.
“Amend: the Fight for America” premieres Feb. 17. Watch a trailer for the series above.
The project is produced by Westbrook Studios, The Documentary Group, Wilmore Films and MakeMake Entertainment, and was created by Robe Imbriano and Tom Yellin. Kenny Leon and Reinaldo Marcus Green direct from a script by Sasha Stewart. Will Smith,...
- 2/2/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Since its November 1 launch, Apple’s new streaming platform Apple TV+ has provoked conversation around new shows “Dickinson,” “The Morning Show,” and “See.” Now, it’s gearing up to launch its original film slate, which began with documentary “The Elephant Queen” and will continue with “Hala.”
Apple bought rights to the film following its buzzy Sundance Film Festival premiere earlier this year, where it earned critical praise for its sensitive coming-of-age tale and strong lead performance. “Hala” is a semi-autobiographical offering from Minhal Baig, a writer on hit TV series “Bojack Horseman” and “Ramy.”
The official synopsis reads: “Seventeen-year-old Pakistani American teenager Hala (Geraldine Viswanathan) struggles to balance desire with her familial, cultural and religious obligations. As she comes into her own, she grapples with a secret that threatens to unravel her family.” “Hala” also stars Jack Kilmer as Hala’s love interest, and the film also boasts supporting turns from Gabriel Luna,...
Apple bought rights to the film following its buzzy Sundance Film Festival premiere earlier this year, where it earned critical praise for its sensitive coming-of-age tale and strong lead performance. “Hala” is a semi-autobiographical offering from Minhal Baig, a writer on hit TV series “Bojack Horseman” and “Ramy.”
The official synopsis reads: “Seventeen-year-old Pakistani American teenager Hala (Geraldine Viswanathan) struggles to balance desire with her familial, cultural and religious obligations. As she comes into her own, she grapples with a secret that threatens to unravel her family.” “Hala” also stars Jack Kilmer as Hala’s love interest, and the film also boasts supporting turns from Gabriel Luna,...
- 11/5/2019
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Apple is kicking off its foray into film by playing ball with Hollywood. The tech giant on Friday announced theatrical release dates for its first three films, coming this fall.
First comes the company’s acclaimed wildlife documentary “The Elephant Queen,” which will open in theaters on Oct. 18 before landing on Apple’s Apple TV+ streaming service Nov. 1.
The documentary, which Apple describes as “a genre-redefining film,” follows Athena, an elephant matriarch who will do everything in her power to protect her family when they are forced to leave their watering hole. “The Elephant Queen” is a story of love, loss and coming home, and is a timely love letter to a species that could be gone from our planet in a generation.
Also Read: Apple's Movies Will Hit Theaters Weeks Before Its New Streaming Service (Report)
Directed by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning wildlife documentarians Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble...
First comes the company’s acclaimed wildlife documentary “The Elephant Queen,” which will open in theaters on Oct. 18 before landing on Apple’s Apple TV+ streaming service Nov. 1.
The documentary, which Apple describes as “a genre-redefining film,” follows Athena, an elephant matriarch who will do everything in her power to protect her family when they are forced to leave their watering hole. “The Elephant Queen” is a story of love, loss and coming home, and is a timely love letter to a species that could be gone from our planet in a generation.
Also Read: Apple's Movies Will Hit Theaters Weeks Before Its New Streaming Service (Report)
Directed by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning wildlife documentarians Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble...
- 9/27/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Apple has charted the first round of release dates for its original film slate — which includes the tech giant’s grand entrance into American movie theaters.
With the help of three boutique distribution companies, Apple will be taking titles including Anthony Mackie’s “The Banker,” Minhal Baig’s “Hala” and the buzzy wildlife doc “The Elephant Queen” into select cities nationwide before the titles upload to Apple TV Plus, Variety can report exclusively.
“The Banker,” which stars Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson as unlikely real estate and finance moguls in the Jim Crow era, will open in the awards corridor on December 6. New York-based distributor Bleecker Street is consulting on the release, two insiders close to the project said. It’s expected to hit Apple TV Plus in January.
“The Elephant Queen,” which premiered in New York this week, will open in theaters October 18 and be available for Apple’s...
With the help of three boutique distribution companies, Apple will be taking titles including Anthony Mackie’s “The Banker,” Minhal Baig’s “Hala” and the buzzy wildlife doc “The Elephant Queen” into select cities nationwide before the titles upload to Apple TV Plus, Variety can report exclusively.
“The Banker,” which stars Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson as unlikely real estate and finance moguls in the Jim Crow era, will open in the awards corridor on December 6. New York-based distributor Bleecker Street is consulting on the release, two insiders close to the project said. It’s expected to hit Apple TV Plus in January.
“The Elephant Queen,” which premiered in New York this week, will open in theaters October 18 and be available for Apple’s...
- 9/27/2019
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
The AFI Conservatory and the Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation have partnered to launch the second annual Young Women in Film Intensive.
The AFI Campus in Los Angeles will host 45 high school girls for an eight-week filmmaking workshop, where students will receive mentorship from current fellows and working professional alumni of the AFI Conservatory. Participating girls come from Icef (Inner City Education Foundation) View Park Preparatory Accelerated Charter High School, Immaculate Heart and Synergy Quantum Academy High School. The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs helped made this program possible with a grant.
“AFI has long been an epicenter for educating and inspiring creators, and we are proud to have them join us, for the second year, in our effort to put a spotlight on female storytellers in film,”said Jana Babatunde-Bey, president and CEO of the Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation. “Inclusion can only be made possible...
The AFI Campus in Los Angeles will host 45 high school girls for an eight-week filmmaking workshop, where students will receive mentorship from current fellows and working professional alumni of the AFI Conservatory. Participating girls come from Icef (Inner City Education Foundation) View Park Preparatory Accelerated Charter High School, Immaculate Heart and Synergy Quantum Academy High School. The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs helped made this program possible with a grant.
“AFI has long been an epicenter for educating and inspiring creators, and we are proud to have them join us, for the second year, in our effort to put a spotlight on female storytellers in film,”said Jana Babatunde-Bey, president and CEO of the Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation. “Inclusion can only be made possible...
- 3/26/2019
- by Daniel Nissen
- Variety Film + TV
Tech monolith Apple made its first purchase at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival on Monday, in the coming-of-age drama “Hala.”
The film, from writer-director Minhal Baig and executive producer Jada Pinkett Smith, sold for an undisclosed amount. It is unclear if the company intends to send it straight to the iTunes store or roll the drama out in theaters.
Baig’s project centers on 17-year-old Hala, who’s navigating the conflicting worlds of her traditional Muslim household and her modern high school. As she struggles with her identity, she uncovers a secret that threatens to destroy her nuclear family.
Geraldine Viswanathan (“Blockers”) plays the title role. Her co-stars include Purbi Joshi, Azad Khan, Gabriel Luna, Anna Chlumsky, and Jack Kilmer.
From Endeavor Content and Overbrook Entertainment, “Hala’s” produced by Baig, Clarence Hammond, and Jamal Watson. Jana Babatunde-Bey, Marsha Swinton, James Lassiter, Caleeb Pinkett, Ari Lubet, and Aaron Carr are executive producers.
The film, from writer-director Minhal Baig and executive producer Jada Pinkett Smith, sold for an undisclosed amount. It is unclear if the company intends to send it straight to the iTunes store or roll the drama out in theaters.
Baig’s project centers on 17-year-old Hala, who’s navigating the conflicting worlds of her traditional Muslim household and her modern high school. As she struggles with her identity, she uncovers a secret that threatens to destroy her nuclear family.
Geraldine Viswanathan (“Blockers”) plays the title role. Her co-stars include Purbi Joshi, Azad Khan, Gabriel Luna, Anna Chlumsky, and Jack Kilmer.
From Endeavor Content and Overbrook Entertainment, “Hala’s” produced by Baig, Clarence Hammond, and Jamal Watson. Jana Babatunde-Bey, Marsha Swinton, James Lassiter, Caleeb Pinkett, Ari Lubet, and Aaron Carr are executive producers.
- 1/29/2019
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Apple has picked up the worldwide rights to Minhal Baig’s coming-of-age pic Hala which is executive produced by Jada Pinkett Smith. The movie follows 17-year old Hala as she navigates her senior year of high school and starts to develop feelings for her classmate, Jesse. Raised in a conservative Muslim household by her mother, Eram (Purbi Joshi) and father, Zahid (Azad Khan), her growing feelings are at odds with her traditional upbringing. At the same time, she finds herself grappling with the knowledge of a secret that threatens to unravel her family. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.‘s Gabriel Luna and Veep‘s Anna Chlumsky also star. Baig, who was a directing mentee for Ryan Murphy’s Half Initiative – Director Mentorship Program, expanded Hala from a short film that the filmmaker made in 2016. The screenplay for the feature was...
- 1/29/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple has acquired the global rights to Minhal Baig’s cross-cultural coming-of-age film “Hala” following its premiere during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
Written and directed by Baig, “Hala” follows seventeen-year old Hala, played by Geraldine Viswanathan (“Blockers”) as she navigates her senior year of high school and starts to develop feelings for her classmate, Jesse, played by Jack Kilmer (“Palo Alto”).
Raised in a conservative Muslim household by her mother, Eram (Purbi Joshi) and father, Zahid (Azad Khan), her growing feelings are at odds with her traditional upbringing. At the same time, she finds herself grappling with the knowledge of a secret that threatens to unravel her family.
Also Read: Lupita Nyong'o Zombie Comedy 'Little Monsters' Acquired by Neon, Hulu
Gabriel Luna (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) and Anna Chlumsky (“Veep”) round out the main cast.
Executive produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, “Hala...
Written and directed by Baig, “Hala” follows seventeen-year old Hala, played by Geraldine Viswanathan (“Blockers”) as she navigates her senior year of high school and starts to develop feelings for her classmate, Jesse, played by Jack Kilmer (“Palo Alto”).
Raised in a conservative Muslim household by her mother, Eram (Purbi Joshi) and father, Zahid (Azad Khan), her growing feelings are at odds with her traditional upbringing. At the same time, she finds herself grappling with the knowledge of a secret that threatens to unravel her family.
Also Read: Lupita Nyong'o Zombie Comedy 'Little Monsters' Acquired by Neon, Hulu
Gabriel Luna (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) and Anna Chlumsky (“Veep”) round out the main cast.
Executive produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, “Hala...
- 1/29/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Endeavor Content co-financed. Inclusion rider policy was applied during production.
Apple has closed its first Sundance acquisition and taken worldwide rights in Park City to the coming-of-age drama Hala, capping off an active few days for digital platforms that has already seen two marquee deals involving Amazon Studios and a play by Hulu.
Jada Pinkett Smith served as executive producer on the feature from Endeavor Content and Overbrook Entertainment. Minhal Baig wrote and directed from her Black List 2016 screenplay, inspired by a short film she made in 2016.
The deal is not part of the partnership with A24 and at time...
Apple has closed its first Sundance acquisition and taken worldwide rights in Park City to the coming-of-age drama Hala, capping off an active few days for digital platforms that has already seen two marquee deals involving Amazon Studios and a play by Hulu.
Jada Pinkett Smith served as executive producer on the feature from Endeavor Content and Overbrook Entertainment. Minhal Baig wrote and directed from her Black List 2016 screenplay, inspired by a short film she made in 2016.
The deal is not part of the partnership with A24 and at time...
- 1/28/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Endeavor Content co-financed. Inclusion rider policy was applied during production.
Apple has closed its first Sundance acquisition and taken worldwide rights in Park City to the coming-of-age drama Hala, capping off an active few days for digital platforms that has already seen two marquee deals involving Amazon Studios.
Jada Pinkett Smith served as executive producer on the feature from Endeavor Content and Overbrook Entertainment. Minhal Baig wrote and directed from her Black List 2016 screenplay, inspired by a short film she made in 2016.
At time of writing Apple declined to elaborate on whether the film would receive a theatrical release. Endeavor Content co-financed,...
Apple has closed its first Sundance acquisition and taken worldwide rights in Park City to the coming-of-age drama Hala, capping off an active few days for digital platforms that has already seen two marquee deals involving Amazon Studios.
Jada Pinkett Smith served as executive producer on the feature from Endeavor Content and Overbrook Entertainment. Minhal Baig wrote and directed from her Black List 2016 screenplay, inspired by a short film she made in 2016.
At time of writing Apple declined to elaborate on whether the film would receive a theatrical release. Endeavor Content co-financed,...
- 1/28/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
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