September 15, 2003, Jericho, New York – The Independent Film Channel (IFC) and Comcast announced today their partnership to hold Foster Hope's annual benefit to raise funds for community-based programs that support the children in Florida's foster care system.
IFC and Comcast will be screening Lost In La Mancha on October 11 at 7pm at the Florida Theatre at 128 East Forsyth Street in Jacksonville. A Q & A panel with the film's directors Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe and a gourmet reception will immediately follow the screening. Tickets are $100 per seat and may be purchased by contacting the Florida Theater box office at (904) 355-2787. All proceeds from this event benefit the foster children of Northeast Florida and the ticket cost is tax deductible.
Foster Hope, founded in August 2002, is a grass roots effort by volunteers working in the foster care system in Northeast Florida in response to the growing crisis in the foster care system.
The rate of children abused or neglected in foster care has more than doubled since 1998 in Florida. In 2001, Florida's Department of Children and Families (DCF) reported that nearly one in every 11 children is mistreated in foster care. That is 15 times the national standard.
Foster Hope, a nonprofit foundation, was established to provide support to community-based programs that offer critical services to children and families in the foster care system. Foster Hope's mission is to raise awareness and funds to support the community's children that have been abused, neglected or abandoned and are forced to enter into foster care.
Each of the organizations that Foster Hope supports offers services to foster children and families at different stages in Florida's foster care system and are primarily staffed by volunteers, surviving largely on private donations and fundraising efforts.
"Partnering with Comcast is wonderful fit for IFC," commented Brittany Griffin, Regional Director, IFC and a recently appointed board member of the Jacksonville Film Festival. "Comcast is committed to serving the Jacksonville community, and it is of utmost importance for IFC to be involved in the communities we serve by helping with local causes such as this annual benefit. We're delighted to be working with Foster Hope, a wonderful organization in Northeast Florida."
Doug McMillan, Vice President/General Manager, Comcast, said: "It is our pleasure to partner with IFC in bringing Lost In La Mancha to Foster Hope's annual benefit. We've partnered with IFC in the past on many events such as the Jacksonville Film Festival and look forward to the opportunity to partner with IFC and Foster Hope in the future to further our commitment to the Jacksonville area."
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In August 2000, filmmaker Terry Gilliam finally got his opportunity to create the dream film he contrived for a decade, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, starring Johnny Depp and Jean Rochefort. He assembled his film crew in preparation for production on what promised to be the biggest budgeted feature film using only European financing. However for all his creativity and enthusiasm, the film is immediately plagued with a series of disasters ranging from scheduling conflicts, budget cuts, studio and location problems that threaten to doom the film. Lost In La Mancha, directed by Fulton and Pepe, takes an in-depth look at these harsh realities of Gilliam's filmmaking, highlighting his failed attempt to complete the film.
IFC can be seen in the Jacksonville area on Comcast Channel 503.
For more information on Foster Hope, please visit their website at www.fosterhope.org.
EVENT INFORMATION:
- Foster Hope Benefit – Saturday, October 11, 2003
- Hosted by IFC, Comcast and Foster Hope
- Location:
- The Florida Theatre
- 128 East Forsyth Street
- Jacksonville
- (904) 353-3251
- Special Presentation of the film Lost In La Mancha, and Q & A with the directors Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe
- 7:00 – 9:00 pm Special Screening of Lost In La Mancha
- 9:00 – 9:30 pm Q&A with the film's directors Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe
- 9:30pm Gourmet reception begins
- Hosted by IFC, Comcast and Foster Hope
ABOUT IFC TELEVISION
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed channel dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut and commercial free. IFC continues to expand its programming lineup with original series and independent genre-focused specials. The network's recent, critically acclaimed series and specials include Dinner For Five, BaadAsssss Cinema, The American Nightmare, Indie Sex: Taboos and A Decade Under the Influence.
IFC Television is a part of IFC Companies, which has created a unique end-to-end business model and brand that focuses on developing and nurturing talent, and maximizing the value of independent film. With a television network, a film distribution and production unit, and a VOD service, IFC Companies represents the future of independent film. IFC Companies uses its unique position to broaden the independent film audience nationwide and to expand the opportunities for independent filmmakers. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc.
ABOUT COMCAST
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Comcast Cable is a division of Comcast
Corporation, a developer, manager and operator of broadband cable networks
and provider of programming content. Operating in 17 of the United States'
20 largest metropolitan areas, Comcast is one of the leading communications, media and entertainment
companies in the world. Providing basic cable, Digital Cable, high-speed
Internet and telephone services, Comcast is the company to look to first for
the communications products and services that connect people to what's
important in their lives. The company's 55,000 employees, in six divisions,
serve more than 21 million customers.