This years film festival was especially fun for my family! My talented sister-in-law, Mary Ann Kellogg's short film,
ABUELO, took the Family Award prize! We were so excited when she called us Saturday afternoon to tell us that she and Tony would be coming to Dallas for the prestigious Academy-qualified National Short Film Awards Program. Tony is Justin's brother and also the executive producer for the film. He also keeps busy as the key grip on MEDIUM! Mary Ann danced with Twyla Tharp and has choreographed countless films and television shows but has found a new passion in directing and producing.
ABUELO is her directorial debut but we know it won't be her last! Justin's mother, Caroline, and his aunt and uncle, Beth and Kipp Whitman were here to celebrate with us. Also attending was a Whitman family friend, Barbara Steele, who Ann Alexander, director of the USA Film Festival, called "the most beautiful horror movie actress of all time!"
But we were not the only reunion taking place at the festival. Dallasite and golf entrepreneur Barney Adams came out to honor his old friend M. Emmet Walsh during the screening of his new film DON MCKAY. Co-star and producer of the film, Texan Thomas Haden Church, introduced the character actor and his personl idol.
Local author Sam Staggs attended the Festival's 50th Anniversary screening of the Douglas Sirk classic IMITATION OF LIFE and was reunited with actress Juanita Moore. Staggs' new book about the film, BORN TO BE HURT: THE UNTOLD STORY OF IMITATION OF LIFE is dedicated to Moore and Susan Kohner, who played mother and daughter in the film and both of whom received Academy Award nominations for their roles. The evening was hosted by Clarice Tinsley who chatted with the crew until the wee hours at a post-screening reception at Regen and Jeff Fearon's beautiful home.
This year's annual Genesis Women's Shelter Mother's Day Luncheon was a delight! The sold out crowd enjoyed the inspiring words from Her Majesty Queen Noor. Her name means "light" and she certainly did brighten the lives of all of us in the room that day. This has been an exceptionally difficult year for many non-profit organizations, including Genesis, but even though many donors were not able to purchase tables at the same levels they had in the past, many of the luncheon's needs were provided for through in kind donations. Hunt Oil provided the private plane for Her Majesty, Smith Limousine provided all of the the ground transportation for free, Liland's Special Events provided all of the flowers and Haynsworth Photography (who took all of the photos above) provided all of the photography! These generous providers made a significant contribution to the luncheon's bottom line! Kristen Howell, Director of Development for Genesis Women's Shelter, remarked that "all in all, we are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by a community of people who say that domestic violence is never acceptable, and who recognize that economic distress puts battered women and children at higher risk of violence and faced with fewer resources for getting out. At Genesis, we believe that no woman or child should ever have to stay in an abusive home because they feel they have no options. We are working harder than ever to ensure that we keep our lights on and our door open for EVERY woman and child choosing to be safe tonight. I think this community has said in a resounding manner that they will stop at nothing to help us with this promise." What an amazing community we live in! We must remember that in these trying times, others need us more than ever. This luncheon was a great example of people giving of their resources. Next year will be the 25 anniversary of Genesis Women's Shelter and I can't wait to see what they do to top this year's event!
