Cape Town, South Africa – April 18, 2024 - Time is running out for filmmakers across the African continent and its diaspora to seize the spotlight at the highly anticipated FAME Shorts Film Festival 2024.

With the submission deadline looming on April 26, 2024, aspiring filmmakers are urged to submit their captivating and groundbreaking short films for consideration.

The FAME Shorts Film Festival stands as a beacon of independent African cinema, a vibrant tapestry of narratives that captivate and inspire audiences worldwide. From poignant documentaries unraveling cultural tapestries to gripping narratives delving into modern life and diasporic experiences, the festival is a celebration of creativity and storytelling prowess.

"We're witnessing an incredible outpouring of talent as we approach the submission deadline for the FAME Shorts Film Festival 2024," exclaims Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director for FAME Week Africa. "This year's festival promises to be an electrifying showcase of African storytelling, and we eagerly anticipate the outstanding films that will grace our screens." Hiller emphasizes, "The caliber of submissions thus far is a testament to the extraordinary creative spirit in Africa. We're in the midst of a cinematic renaissance, and the FAME Shorts Film Festival stands at its forefront."

Filmmakers are invited to submit their works across six dynamic categories, each adjudicated by industry luminaries:
• Best Documentary Short Film
• Best Narrative Short Film
• Best Animated Short Film
• Best Student Short Film
• Best LGBTQ+ Short Film

Beyond the spotlight, the festival offers a plethora of opportunities for professional growth and networking. From illuminating content sessions to immersive workshops and masterclasses, filmmakers have the chance to learn from seasoned professionals and forge connections within the industry.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Cape Town's Labia Theatre, the FAME Shorts Film Festival, in collaboration with MIP Africa, will unfold from September 5th to 7th, 2024. Anticipated highlights include screenings of selected films, thought-provoking panel discussions, networking soirées, and the eagerly awaited FAME After Dark, where live music will complement the cinematic experience.

With the submission deadline fast approaching, filmmakers are urged to seize the moment and submit their creations by April 26, 2024. Notifications for selected films will be dispatched by June 18, 2024.

Do not let this opportunity slip by. Be a part of the cinematic spectacle at the FAME Shorts Film Festival 2024. Submit your film today and join us in celebrating the unparalleled richness of independent African cinema.

For more details and to submit your film, visit the FAME Shorts Film Festival website.
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Renowned global comedian Jimmy Carr has exciting news for South African comedy enthusiasts, announcing two dates for his highly acclaimed "Terribly Funny" stand-up comedy tour to be held in 2024. The shows, in partnership with 947 and KFM 94.5, are set to kick off on Saturday, 2 March at the SunBet Arena, Time Square in Pretoria and conclude on Sunday, 3 March 2024 at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town.

Ticket sales for the Discovery Bank pre-sale are scheduled to commence at 09h00 on Wednesday, 29 November, exclusively through ticketmaster.co.za, running until 08h59 on Friday, 1 December. General public ticket sales will then open at 09h00 on Friday, 1 December 2023, available exclusively through ticketmaster.co.za.

Jimmy Carr's extensive international tours have spanned over forty countries, with his previous tour, "Best Of Ultimate Gold Greatest Hits," achieving a global ticket sale of over 480,000. The current "Terribly Funny" show has surpassed this figure, extending its success into 2023 and now adding South Africa to its 2024 itinerary, following shows in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA.

About Jimmy Carr:

Jimmy Carr is a prominent figure in UK television, notably recognized for hosting Channel 4's acclaimed shows such as "8 Out Of 10 Cats," "8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown," and "Big Fat Quiz Of The Year." He has also graced Comedy Central's "Roast Battle UK" and "Your Face Or Mine." Carr is a regular panelist on top-rated shows including QI and A League Of Their Own. His illustrious career includes multiple appearances at The Royal Variety Performance, and he currently serves as a judge on the hit BBC1 entertainment series "I Can See Your Voice" and hosts Channel 4's latest game show, "I Literally Just Told You."

Internationally, Jimmy Carr has made a mark in North America as the first UK comedian to secure a stand-up deal with Netflix in 2015. He released three specials on the platform, including "Funny Business" (2016), "Best Of Ultimate Gold Greatest Hits" (2017), and "His Dark Material" (2021), the latter being Netflix's most watched stand-up comedy special in the UK for that year. Carr has also presented and executive-produced the original panel show format, "The Fix," for Netflix and made multiple guest appearances on esteemed US talk shows such as The Tonight Show, The Late, Late Show, and Late Night With Conan O'Brien. His consistent performances at the Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival since 2003 have made him a standout UK act with the most appearances in that timeframe.

Before venturing into streaming, Jimmy Carr established himself as one of the best-selling comedians in the DVD market, with his eight titles collectively selling over 1.2 million copies. These shows are now available on Jimmy's YouTube channel, boasting over 758,000 subscribers and 210 million views since its inception in 2018. Carr's literary contributions include co-writing "The Naked Jape: Uncovering the Hidden World of Jokes" in 2007 and his highly anticipated memoir, "Before & Laughter," which debuted on The Sunday Times Bestsellers list in September 2021.

Important Notes:

Carr's current show features jokes on various topics, some of which may touch upon sensitive subjects. He clarifies that these jokes are not indicative of the actual events and urges patrons to exercise discretion when attending the show.

Fans are strongly cautioned against purchasing tickets from Viagogo. Tickets obtained from these sources are unlawfully resold at inflated prices and may result in denied entry to the venue without refund.

For comprehensive tour and ticket information, please visit www.bigconcerts.co.za.

Jimmy Carr "Terribly Funny" Tour Details:

Pretoria

Date: 2 March 2024
Venue: SunBet Arena, Time Square, Pretoria
Ticket Sales: Exclusively available from Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.co.za) starting at 09H00 on Friday, 1 December.
Cape Town

Date: 3 March 2024
Venue: Grand Arena, GrandWest, Cape Town
Ticket Sales: Exclusively available from Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.co.za) starting at 09H00 on Friday, 1 December.
Attendees under the age of 16 are advised that the show may contain content unsuitable for their age group.

Prepare for an evening of unparalleled laughter and entertainment with Jimmy Carr's "Terribly Funny" tour hitting South African shores in 2024!
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

From award-winning actor to one of the highest-grossing comedians of all time to multimedia venture capitalist, Kevin Hart quickly corrects anyone who dares to suggests he’s juggling a million jobs these days.

“You’re absolutely wrong,” Hart typically fires back. “It’s a million and one.”

When Hart’s not on the big screen headlining blockbuster movies, he’s on television pushing sports betting apps, credit card companies and other projects in commercials. And when he’s not doing that, Hart’s in your social media feed promoting his media investment firms.


Michael Wallace, Grind City Media Sr. Editor, Contributor & Analyst
by
Michael Wallace
MEMPHIS– From award-winning actor to one of the highest-grossing comedians of all time to multimedia venture capitalist, Kevin Hart quickly corrects anyone who dares to suggests he’s juggling a million jobs these days.

“You’re absolutely wrong,” Hart typically fires back. “It’s a million and one.”

When Hart’s not on the big screen headlining blockbuster movies, he’s on television pushing sports betting apps, credit card companies and other projects in commercials. And when he’s not doing that, Hart’s in your social media feed promoting his media investment firms.

Hart has starred in 10 films that opened at No. 1 in the box office and have generated $4.23 billion in revenues. In recent years, Hart has stretched his acting by taking roles outside of his comedic comfort zone. In the 2021 movie Fatherhood, based on a true story, Hart played the role of a father raising his young daughter after the tragic death of his wife soon following childbirth. Last year, Hart also starred alongside Wesley Snipes in the Netflix dramatic series True Story.

If it feels as if Hart is almost everywhere at any given time, well that’s not necessarily true. The Emmy and Grammy nominated actor was recently in South Africa for his Reality Check World Tour, hosting his new movie premier " Die Hart" as well as doing some charity work. The aim of this trip was " to receive more and to give more" than when he was in the country in 2016.

Helping millions of fans find ways to laugh through some of life’s toughest lessons has been Hart’s passion. Pollstar recognized Hart as the comedy touring artist of the decade, with ‘Reality Check’ marking his first major string of road shows in four years. His previous tour sold out over 100 arenas globally. Prior to that, Hart’s 2018 Irresponsible Tour sold one million tickets


With Hart’s corporate and entertainment empire intact, having accumulated a reported net worth of $450 million, it’s time to reconnect to his foundation as an unadulterated funnyman. “I need to give people a reminder,” Hart said during a recent tour promotional appearance on The Pivot Podcast. “This Reality Check tour I’m on now is just in case you forgot why I sit where I sit, why I am the way I am. Let me go back to a little raw, a little edge and still have fun in my craft. You’ve got to recreate yourself in your craft.”

The South African crowds packed into the Sun Bet Arena in Pretoria and Grand West Arena in Cape town, for jam packed, sold out events. Tickets ranged from R690- R17 000, which seemed steep, however everyone left satisfied. What made the evenings enjoyable is that there was no woke discussions, no political agenda's and no one was left unscathed. Kevin Hart did not need the normal sex jokes to have every one laughing in the aisles. It was just a great evening, from one of the best comedians in the world.
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Big Concerts and Live Nation Comedy confirmed today that due to popular demand, a second Kevin Hart ‘Reality Check’ Tour date has been added to the SunBet Arena, Time Square, Pretoria show run. NEW DATE: Saturday 18 February 2023. Brought to you by 947.

Show days include Friday 17 February 2023 and NEW date Saturday 18 February 2023.

The Discovery Bank pre-sale is currently running and finishes at 8:59 am Friday 2 December. Sign up for your Discovery Bank Card today and get tickets to the biggest concerts before everyone else with Discovery Bank.

The general on-sale begins Friday 2 December at 9:00 AM exclusively from Ticketmaster.

Emmy & Grammy nominated Kevin Hart is currently touring “Reality Check” globally with his known gold standard stand-up material and has shattered box office records everywhere. Hart launched his career as a comedian during an amateur night at a local comedy club. Over the years Hart has become Hollywood’s box office powerhouse, opening eleven films at number one at the box office and grossing more than in $4.23 billion global revenue. Hart has also become a successful Entrepreneur; he is Chairman of HARTBEAT; a global, multi-platform media company creating entertainment at the intersection of comedy and culture with a mission to keep the world laughing together. The next generation media company unites Hartbeat Productions’ best-in-class TV & film production capabilities with Laugh Out Loud’s expansive distribution network, along with its marketing, sales, experiential, branded content, digital and social capabilities. Hart is also the Founder of HartBeat Ventures. Together, these companies play an integral role part in building Hart’s eco-system for extraordinary growth and creativity. Hart continues to develop, star, and produce feature films, television, and podcasts via HARTBEAT for his various partners which include Netflix, Peacock, Sirius XM and Audible. In 2020 Hart released his seventh hour long stand-up special, “Zero Fu**ks Given,” which quickly became Netflix's biggest stand-up special of 2020 and earned him a Grammy nomination for “Best Comedy Album”. Hart also earned Emmy nominations for “Die Hart,” for “Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series” along with an Emmy nomination for his Docu-series, “Don’t F**k This Up”. Kevin is a New York Times Best Selling author twice over and his first Audible original, “The Decision,” was nominated for an Audie award for “Best Original Audiobook in 2021.” Kevin is a founding partner in two companies: the premium tequila brand Gran Coramino, and plant based quick serve restaurant Hart House. Kevin’s brand partnerships include Gran Coramino, Hart House, Fabletics Men, Chase J.P Morgan, Hydrow, NutraBolt, Brüush, Tommy John and Therabody.

[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Emmy & Grammy nominated Kevin Hart is currently touring “Reality Check” globally with his known gold standard stand-up material and has shattered box office records everywhere. Hart launched his career as a comedian during an amateur night at a local comedy club. Over the years Hart has become Hollywood’s box office powerhouse, opening eleven films at number one at the box office and grossing more than in $4.23 billion global revenue. Hart has also become a successful Entrepreneur; he is Chairman of HARTBEAT; a global, multi-platform media company creating entertainment at the intersection of comedy and culture with a mission to keep the world laughing together. The next generation media company unites Hartbeat Productions’ best-in-class TV & film production capabilities with Laugh Out Loud’s expansive distribution network, along with its marketing, sales, experiential, branded content, digital and social capabilities. Hart is also the Founder of HartBeat Ventures. Together, these companies play an integral role part in building Hart’s eco-system for extraordinary growth and creativity. Hart continues to develop, star, and produce feature films, television, and podcasts via HARTBEAT for his various partners which include Netflix, Peacock, Sirius XM and Audible. In 2020 Hart released his seventh hour long stand-up special, “Zero Fu**ks Given,” which quickly became Netflix's biggest stand-up special of 2020 and earned him a Grammy nomination for “Best Comedy Album”. Hart also earned Emmy nominations for “Die Hart,” for “Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series” along with an Emmy nomination for his Docu-series, “Don’t F**k This Up”. Kevin is a New York Times Best Selling author twice over and his first Audible original, “The Decision,” was nominated for an Audie award for “Best Original Audiobook in 2021.” Kevin is a founding partner in two companies: the premium tequila brand Gran Coramino, and plant based quick serve restaurant Hart House. Kevin’s brand partnerships include Gran Coramino, Hart House, Fabletics Men, Chase J.P Morgan, Hydrow, NutraBolt, Brüush, Tommy John and Therabody.
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]

Historical preservation in Miami is fraught with enough challenges before you factor in the private interests of property developers and citizens alike. One local icon in Coconut Grove, the Coconut Grove Playhouse, has long stood as a landmark to the city’s history and the uncertain future many of its historical buildings face. Now, with some clarity as to what the city is planning for the future of the site, locals are expressing frustrations at being shut out from the process and, above all, fears that the plans will destroy the historical value of the site in favor of yet another strip-mall-type development.

Opening on January 3, 1927, the nearly one-hundred-year-old playhouse was originally called the Player's State Theater and was part of the Paramount chain. Richard Kiehnel of Kiehnel and Elliott was the architect behind the playhouse and it was notable upon opening for being the second movie theater to be air-conditioned on Florida’s Gold Coast. It was converted into a live-action theater following Alfred Browning Parker’s purchase of the building in the 1950s. Reopening as a live-action theater on January 3, 1956, the first play performed at the refurbished location was Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot.”

In the ensuing decades, the playhouse would hose the likes of legends such as Tallulah Bankhead, Liza Minnelli, Carol Channing, Bea Arthur, George C. Scott, Ethel Merman, Colleen Dewhurst, and many others. The 1980s and 1990s were periods of change and challenge for the playhouse which was eventually purchased in 2006 by Miami-Dade County due to its crushing debt load.

After the state of Florida granted the county permission to take over the building 2014, Miami-Dade has solicited ideas for use of the site from everyone from developers to citizens of Coconut Grove with the latter feeling particularly left out of recent discussions surrounding the landmark.

A recent Zoom meeting about the site on September 20th discussed County Commissioner Raquel Regalado’s plans for the Coconut Grove Playhouse that critics say offers nothing new and destroys the historical character of the site. A Facebook group dedicated to saving the playhouse, “Save the Coconut Grove Playhouse,” wrote of the meeting: “So we hope the Council is not considering switching sides again just because Regalado added a few trees, a sidewalk ‘paseo’ (which was already in the plan years ago), a ‘pocket park,’ wood siding to the commercialized retail shopping center, and a few token ornaments ripped out of the demolished historic theater. We appreciate their work at getting the facts together.”

One of the largest issues facing plans for the playhouse is the extent to which it is considered historical and what that means for redevelopment. In other words, how much can be changed, if anything, before this designation is violated in some way.

Another issue noted by the group is that the plan doesn’t actually make for a viable theater with seating reduced from 1,100 to 300 with most of the space devoted to new retail concepts. A “decisive” meeting about the site is being held on October 4th with residents able to sign up to attend the Zoom meeting until October 1st.

[Submitted by Vince Rubiera]

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_Grove_Playhouse

https://www.facebook.com/saveourplayhouse/