“One Little Finger” Red Carpet Premiere August 16 in Santa Monica

Award-winning Feature Film Stars Large Cast Children 

and Adults with Disabilities

The Movie, “One Little Finger” premieres at the Laemmle Monica Film Center on August 16, at 7 PM. The event starts at 5:30 PM with a Red Carpet Opening.  After the screening there will be a Question & Answer segment, and a party. The Laemmle Monica Film Center is at 1332 2nd Street, in Santa Monica, CA 90401. The phone number of the Film Center is (310) 394-9744, Keep checking the LA Monica Film Center website at https://www.laemmle.com/film/one-little-finger for ticket announcements; tickets will go on sale no later than August 13.

Raina, an American neurologist, uproots her life to research music therapy in India, and finds herself teaching children and adults with disabilities. By bringing them together through music and inspiring them to challenge themselves through their abilities, their lives are transformed. 

Den and Angel, though they are disabled, want to contribute towards the betterment of society by overcoming their physical challenges. As they come of age, they must learn to cope with abuse and bullying. Their lives intersect with Raina, who is struggling to further her research. 

Raina’s philosophy and life changes while she is in India, where she is touched by the beauty of the culture and the stories of children with disabilities. Through her experience, she understands that balance of mind, body, and soul are vital in realizing the true value of life. Disability is a perception; ability is what we believe.

The movie stars Tamela D’Amico as Raina, Siedah Garrett as Dr. Claudia, and a cast of 80 plus disabled actors of all ages.  Abhinaya portrays Angel, a hearing-impaired girl. Sayombdeb Mukherjee plays Den, who has cerebral palsy.  

The soundtrack includes contributions from Ms. Garrett, Quincy Jones, Julian Lennon, AGT finalist Kechi Okwuchi, Indian classical guitar player Viswa Mohan Bhatt.

Written and Directed by Dr. Rupam Sarmah, a multi-talented singer-songwriter, filmmaker, social entrepreneur, and computer scientist. He has produced and directed award-winning movies, charted #1 in billboard and a holder of Guinness World Records®. Kevin Mackie, a Grammy® Winner and an Ambassador for the UNESCO Center for Peace, USFUCA, is the Executive Producer for the film. 

Says Dr. Sarmah, “’One Little Finger’ is not just a film, a movement, to break the barriers of the stigma of the word disability. All it takes is a change in perspective, a change in our mindset! Disability is only what we perceive, Ability is everything of what we believe!”

“One Little Finger” has received worldwide recognition, 3 Telly Awards, and is blessed with over 27 laurels including Best Feature, Best Inspirational Film, Best Music, Best Director, Best Song, Best Public Awareness Film in various festivals in Cannes, Italy, Spain, London, USA and India. The One Little Finger Foundation is taking ongoing initiatives to support United Nation’s sustainable goals promoting Inclusion, Education and Innovation. See below for more details. 

World Peace - Spoken Word Album, ACTION MOVES PEOPLE UNITED with UNESCO-USFUCA

ACTION MOVES PEOPLE UNITED features over 300 international artists from over 30 countries featuring Alan White, Martin Barre, Geoff Downes, John Wetton, Patrick Moraz, Jann Klose, Annie Haslam, Janis Ian, Colin Andrews, Dan Ackroyd, Julian Lennon, Kathy Sledge, Wouter Kellerman and Ricky Kej, Lillias White and many other artists!

Also on the album are artists I currently work with: Phoebe Legere, Laura Sullivan, Amy Otey, Jody Quine. I helped with a hook for a poem that Martin Barre reads on the album.

ACTION MOVES PEOPLE UNITED, a World Peace Project with the UNESCO - USFUCA, is produced by Grammy® Winner Kevin Mackie, award winning producer Krista Wallhagen, and Guinness World Record® holder musician and award winning filmmaker Rupam Sarmah. Through media initiatives, in collaboration with artists, authors, and organizations from all around the world, AMPU’s mission of establishing a peaceful planet and a healthy biosphere will be an ongoing commitment. “One of the goals for the project is to pair up artists who live in opposing countries for collaborations that go beyond politics, religion and borders,” says Krista.

The team has produced a musical spoken word album that will exchange ideas, stories, and information focused on bringing about World Peace through individual responsibility, Education, and helping each other. Kevin says, “We endeavor to raise awareness of environmental and humanitarian crisis and find actionable solutions.”

“Our individual actions can make a big difference, but our collective actions can move the World, Inspire Change,” says Rupam.

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) strives to promote peace and security among nations through education, science, and culture.

Dan Aykroyd says, “I pray for the moment of mass consciousness when we all wake up and bring peace into our own hearts and souls. It’s a challenge and it’s going to take every one of us to make it happen.” The double CD album with 45 tracks of Musical Spoken Word and Songs will be officially released on Sept 21, 2016. The album is available for digital download in iTunes, Amazon, and other stores worldwide.

Please visit the site for details: www.ActionMovesPeopleUnited.org!.

Media Contact:
Kevin Mackie,
 AMPU *AT* UNESCOUSA *DOT* org 215-432-4510

Jann Klose on Grammy-nominated album, HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT

Singer-songwriter Jann Klose is part of a Grammy-nominated album put together and marketed by a coalition of musicians, poets, childrens health experts, entrepreneurs, and-- of course-- album producers. The album, HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT is up for a Grammy in the category: "Best Spoken Word Album For Children." http://www.grammy.com/nominees.

The album's producers, Kevin Mackie, Jim Cravero, Paula Lizzi, and Steve Pullara assembled the 60-track, 2-record set (and digital release) over the course of two years. Other acts who contributed to the release include: Russell Simmons, Uncle Floyd, Julian Lennon, Michael O'Keefe, Tyler Grady, Tom Chapin, Sweet Honey In the Rock, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Moby, Trout Fishing In America, and Sara Hickman.

Everyone donated their time and talents to create this album, and are assisting the project's publicist Paula Lizzi in spreading the word about the album's release. All the profits from this project will go to the New York Coalition for Healthy School Food; www.healthyschoolfood.org. And the album has already made a profit with Midwest Books picking it up for distribution before the nominations.

There will be a CD release and fundraiser at the New York City studio of famed artist Peter Max on Friday, January 28. Tickets are $25, and available through the web site. http://healthyfoodforthought.com.

Klose's involvement comes from the heart, "I've grown up and traveled a lot in my lifetime already and see that people everywhere struggle with eating right. I think it's something we have to work very hard on. I personally try to cook as much as possible, using fresh and as many unprocessed foods as possible. It makes a big difference in taste alone!"

The Washington Post writes, “Klose wins over the listener with his soaring voice, which may well be a staple of chamber pop for a long time to come.”

A citizen of the world, Jann Klose has lived on three continents, making his home in the melting pot that is New York City. Before coming to the United States as an exchange student in Cleveland, Ohio, he lived in Germany, Kenya, and South Africa. During the course of his career, Klose has worked live or in the studio with artists ranging from pioneers like Pete Seeger and Les Paul to classic rockers like Roger (The Byrds) McGuinn, and Annie (Renaissance) Haslam to major country stars like Rosanne Cash and Marty Stuart, to award winning mentors like voice teacher David Gooding and producers Marlon Graves, and Stewart Lerman. He warranted endorsements from Martin Guitars and L.R. Baggs. WGN Radio's Steve & Johnnie, Rock Hall inductee Joey Reynolds and Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson have all personally lent a helping hand in his career.

In addition to the Grammy-nominated HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT, Klose's music has been heard on MTV's Cribs, the soundtrack to the Paul Sorvino film Dead Broke, or seen and heard him in touring companies of The Who's Tommy, Jekyll & Hyde, and Jesus Christ Superstar. He also has released three albums and two EPs, which can be heard around the world, on over 130 FM stations and Sirius XM in the U.S., the BBC in England to Prambors Radio in Indonesia. In the past half year, thousands have viewed (and reposted) Jann's remarkable video for DOING TIME, now featured on AOL/Spinner. Watch the video at www.youtube.com/jannklose

Time Out New York succinctly explained, “Jann Klose writes warm, hooky pop music.” The Advance Wire Service states: “The first thing that's totally unmistakable about Jann Klose is that voice - which is just light years beyond that of the typical singer-songwriter … a sound that is classy, distinctive and often irresistible.”

Jann Klose is available for interviews on his music, contribution to the album and ways he's helped his friends fight obesity.

Contact for HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Paula Lizzi:
215-620-0086
plizzi@comcast.net

Anne Leighton on Grammy-Nominated Album

I'm on an album, HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT that was nominated for a Grammy in “Best Spoken Word Album for Children.” Also on the album is my artist Jann Klose, and former client Uncle Floyd, plus friends Beatle Bob, Michael O'Keefe, radio host Gene Shay, plus Moby, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Julian Lennon, and Tom Chapin. The album's creators are Kevin Mackie, and producers Jim Cravero, Paula Lizzi & Steve Pullara. It took Kevin and company over two years to put together this album. It is very well done.

http:www.grammy.com/nominees?year=2010&genre=4

http:healthyfoodforthought.com

On January 28, there'll be a record release party for HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT at Peter Max Studios, in New York City for The New York Coalition for School Food. I'LL BE PERFORMING AND WILL HAVE JOE DENINZON ON MANDOLIN, ACCOMPANYING ME!!! I am also bringing Jahmane Bright, who is my co-producer for my album, and he would love to meet you. That's my posse. I also understand Jann Klose is bringing his posse as he's performing at this event. Acclaimed-jazz clarinetist Oran Etkin will also be on stage.
Mr. Oran Etkin showing and playing his clarinet for kids! http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcmlwSeWko8
Contact for HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Paula Lizzi at soulcomfort@aol.com