A Fork in the Road and Coffee Break Films on Women's Film Network

For immediate release

"A Fork in the Road," the first of three short films in a trilogy leading up to a full-length feature, written, produced, directed and filmed on location in Ann Arbor, Michigan by Ypsilanti Township native Heidi Elizabeth Philipsen-Meissner, is to be exhibited and distributed online through Women's Film Network in late summer 2008.

"I'm really excited about distribution through the Women's Film Network, where (Women's Film Network helmer) Adriana Shaw is creating opportunity for female film-makers to have their works brought to the public. This is an incredible opportunity for me and my film to gain exposure -- a film-maker's dream," said Heidi Elizabeth Philipsen-Meissner about the exhibition/distribution plans.

The award-winning, fifteen-minute short, which was a part of the official, student film selection at the Reel Women International Film Festival in L.A. this past March, is about a family man, facing financial ruin and self-defeat, who discovers that true success in life has nothing to do with money, but rather love and respect from family and friends.

"A Fork in the Road" is a completely Made in Michigan film, featuring local talent Grant Krause, Barbara Coven, Matt Anderson and Shelby Howe, local cinematographer Joshua Roth, and film editor Marc Drake; filming was on location both in Ypsilanti Township and at the Northside Grill on Broadway in Ann Arbor.

Distribution

Stay tuned for news about distribution!

Tales from Reel Women International Film Festival in Los Angeles

I'm back from the Reel Women International Film Festival in Los Angeles, C.A. -- what a trip, what a time! I'll write more, for now, however, take a look at the photo (that's me!!!)

Reel Women International Film Festival

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW FOR THE 4TH ANNUAL
REEL WOMEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The fourth annual Reel Women International Film
Festival, featuring films directed by women from all
over the world (including H.E. PHILIPSEN), will open March 7th with Reservations,
directed by Aloura Charles. Set over a night in a New
York hotel, Reservations unexpectedly connects the
lives of several strangers in startling moments of
passion, friendship and hope. A reception will follow
at the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive.

Academy Award winner Helen Hunt's directorial debut
Then She Found Me serves as the Festival's centerpiece
presentation. Adapted from the novel by New England
Book Award winner Elinor Lipman, the film follows
April Epner (Hunt) and her touching journey to
happiness after separation from husband (Matthew
Broderick) and the death of her adopted mother.
Academy Award nominee Bette Midler also stars as
exuberant talk show host Bernice. Reception to follow
at Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive.

With films from 17 countries, the Reel Women shorts
presentation sheds light on a variety of social and
political issues. In Migration, internationally
acclaimed director Mir Nair (The Namesake) examines
the AIDS crisis in India. Ghosts of Abu Ghraib
director Rory Kennedy looks at how the Iraqi prison
abuses in the fall of 2003 still remain etched in our
national consciousness. In Bling, director Raquel
Cepeda travels with hip-hop artists on an emotional
journey to Sierra Leone where they meet face-to-face
with victims of conflict “blood” diamonds. Featuring
interviews with Kanye West, Big Daddy Kane and
Jadakiss, Bling is a riveting documentary that teaches
the audience the real price of diamonds.


To purchase tickets and view the complete festival
line-up please visit www.reelwomenfest.com

A FORK IN THE ROAD's official international premiere at Reel Women International Film Festival

A FORK IN THE ROAD will be celebrating its first, official international festival premiere at the Reel Women International Film Festival in Burbank, California at the Laemmles Music Hall 3 on Saturday, March 8th, 2008 during the 5:30 p.m. festival showcase of international student films (for more details, click on the link above.)
As quoted on the official festival web-site,

Reel Women International Film Festival founded by
Diana Means was established to honor and advance the
careers of accomplished and emerging women filmmakers
by providing them a forum to showcase their films in
the heart of the entertainment industry. Our goal is
to help increase opportunities for women of diverse
backgrounds to share their stories with the world.

Described by Back Stage West as a “Must-attend event
for all women in the entertainment industry,” the
festival presents narratives, documentary animation
and student short films directed and written by women.
The festival’s programming reflects the festival’s
further commitment to use visual media to heighten
awareness of critical social and health issues
impacting women globally.

Screening location is as follows:
Screening Location
Laemmles Music Hall 3
9036 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211