[AGBU-YP] East of Byzantium: Film Fundraiser event!

Thu Jun 5 11:57:31 CDT 2008

Date: Sunday, June 22 at 6pm
Location: 3229 Casitas Ave. 
                    Los Angeles, CA 90039
Information: TICKETS available at www.ItsMySeat.com
<http://www.itsmyseat.com/> .
Tax Deductible Donation: $40 Pre-Sale / $50 at the Door

Armenian Organizations Join Forces for Epic Motion Picture EAST OF BYZANTIUM

Los Angeles, CA - On Sunday, June 22 the producers behind the epic film EAST
OF BYZANTIUM will stage a show-stopping fundraiser sponsored by AGBU-YP Los
Angeles, AFFMA, and KPAA. The event supports the production of the film
about Armenia during the last days of the Roman Empire. 

Labeled "Braveheart" and "Passion of the Christ" meet "300", EAST OF
BYZANTIUM is a state-of-the-art special effects film helmed by
writer/director Roger Kupelian. His film production company, Fugitive
Studios specializes in award-winning visual effects. Recent credits include
the films "Cloverfield" and "Charlie Wilsons War"; and Serj Tankian's music
video, "Honking Antelope."

The June 22 event will unveil brand new footage of the film and present
special guest speakers, entertainers, and the film's cast & crew, which
includes Vahe Berberian. Alex Kalognomos, director of the Arpa International
Film Festival and event emcee says, "The characters of EAST OF BYZANTIUM are
epic men and women of Armenian history - Gregory the Illuminator, Vartan
Mamigonian, and the great warrior goddess Anahita. Film audiences world-wide
can embrace them as heroes of humanity as well as heroes of a blockbuster
Hollywood film."  

Armenian General Benevolent Union - Young Professionals of Los Angeles
(AGBU-YP LA), Kaiser Permanente Armenian Association (KPAA), and Arpa
Foundation for Film, Music and Art (AFFMA) are just some of the
organizations spearheading this joint effort to fundraise for EAST OF
BYZANTIUM. The goal for the evening is to raise over $50,000 in donations
which will go towards pre-production costs - hiring an A-list screenwriter,
casting director, and actors. Serj Tankian of the rock band System of a Down
is already confirmed to score the soundtrack of the film. And top Hollywood
agencies have been meeting with EAST OF BYZANTIUM filmmakers to develop and
package the film.  

Father Andon Saroyan of St. Gregory Armenian Church hosted an EAST OF
BYZANTIUM fundraiser in April. He supports the historic, spiritual, and
educational value of the project. Father Saroyan says, "Vartan Mamigonian
and his predecessors portrayed during the 150-year arc of EAST OF BYZANTIUM
fought for spiritual ideals that are still pertinent today." He adds,
"Kupelian has gathered a team of dedicated professionals from every cultural
background who find value in this story of fighting for one's identity."  

During last month's commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, St. Gregory's
A&M Hovsepian School principal Shahe Mankerian taught his students to
pro-actively deal with the issue of Armenian survival. "I wanted my students
to do something positive for the sake of their identity. Supporting 'East of
Byzantium' is part of that." Mankerian introduced the producers of EAST OF
BYZANTIUM to his students and made a donation to Kupelian's film by
purchasing the painting "451: the Last Stand." As a method of fundraising,
Kupelian commissioned an exclusive series of limited edition prints based on
EAST OF BYZANTIUM concept art. These paintings and other commemorative items
from East of Byzantium Collections, which are inspired by the film's heroic
characters and by landscapes of ancestral Armenia, are available for viewing
at  <http://www.itsmyseat.com> www.itsmyseat.com or by calling (323)
666-6626.

The June 22 event is the third major EAST OF BYZANTIUM fundraiser staged in
Los Angeles - entertainment capital of the world and home to the largest
population of Armenians outside of Armenia. Kupelian says, "We are making
this film with the support of our community. The stronger our voice, the
more Hollywood studios will pay attention to the collective cultural power
behind EAST OF BYZANTIUM. It's time for an Armenian-themed film to be
greenlighted by studios. And so we stage these events not only to fundraise
and share our vision, but also to unite our community so we can accomplish
this goal." AGBU-YP committee member Annie Markarian adds, "AGBU-YP LA is
very excited to support Roger's vision. We believe his film will be
monumental for Armenians as well as film enthusiasts around the world."

Kupelian continues, "Our first fundraiser was attended by over 400 guests on
Oscar night. We hope to have 800 people attend this event and learn about
our work." Kalognomos points out, "This is a significant time. The Hollywood
industry is supporting the burst of talent and creativity of Armenian
filmmakers working in our community. It's a major movement lead by Roger
Kupelian and his vision for East of Byzantium."

TICKETS Available At www.ItsMySeat.com <http://www.itsmyseat.com/> .
Tax Deductible Donation: $40 Pre-Sale / $50 At the Door 
Packages and Group Rates Available
In Lieu of Attendance, donations can still be made for the making of this
film. Please visit www.Itsmyseat.com <http://www.itsmyseat.com/>  for more
information.

EAST OF BYZANTIUM
Film fundraiser sponsored by AGBU-YP LA, AFFMA and KPAA
Sunday, June 22 at 6pm
3229 Casitas Ave. 
Los Angeles, CA 90039
For more information or to volunteer for this event, please visit
www.EastofByzantium.com <http://www.eastofbyzantium.com/>  or call (323)
666-6626

PRESS RELEASE
FUGITIVE STUDIOS
3175 Casitas Ave., Unit 115
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Contact: Armen Kupelian
Phone/Fax (323) 666-6626
Email:
<http://us.mc311.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=info@eastofbyzantium.com>
info at eastofbyzantium.com
www.EastOfByzanitum.com

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