Alondra Smiles in Europe

14. June 2008 by admin.

Los Angeles, CA June 13, 2008.
(10:10pm aprox.) By Eduardo Quezada.
First think I read when I checked the bulletins in My Space webpage is: WE WON, WE WON!!!!!! From my “friend” Quazy. I clicked on the bulletin link and it says: “Best International Feature Film - England
The awards were given out a couple of hours ago here at the International Film Festival - England.
We were given one of the top awards - Best International Feature Film. I’m so overwhelmed!!!
Thank you and congrats to the entire cast andcrew. And also thank you to all our family and friends for the support”.

So I check his other bulletins to see what all his excitement was all about, and sure enough, there is his earlier bulletin:

“The awards were given out a couple of hours ago here at the International Film Festival - England. We were given one of the top awards - Best International Feature Film. I’m so overwhelmed!!! Thank you and congrats to the entire cast andcrew. And also thank you to all our family and friends for the support”.

Not knowing what in the world he was talking about, I wrote to him and asked him for information. So Quazy, my friend I join you in your excitement and I will post it here for the rest of the world to know. And again, congratulations to you and all the people responsible for making that winning film. I don’t know what time it is in England, but I bet you won’t be able to sleep today.

Here’s the information he sent me:

“ALONDRA SMILES”
European Premiere at The International Film Festival England-UK (IFFE) and is Nominated for the Best First Film (USA)

Los Angeles, June 9, 2008 - The family feature “Alondra Smiles” makes its European Premiere June 10, 2008 at The International Film festival England-UK (IFFE) and is nominated for the Best First Film (USA) category. The Academy of Media, Recording, Interactive, Television & Stage Arts (AMRITSA) are organizing the event and the Festival’s Special Selection Committee is comprised of season filmmakers and representatives from The Prem Group Ltd. IFFE is for filmmakers, video artists and those working with the “moving image” from all over the world. “Alondra Smiles” recently took home the Audience Award at the Reel Rasquache Film Festival in Los Angeles and also garnered the top prize, the Directors Gold Award at the International Family Film Festival in Hollywood.

The International Film Festival England-UK
Villa Media Productions, along with an up-and-coming cast, brings this heartwarming story to life. In “Alondra Smiles,” we meet Alondra, a fourteen-year-old who’s planning to have a very special 15th birthday celebration, and her spoiled cousin Tatiana, who wants to ruin Alondra’s plans.

Alondra (Natalie Gomez) has a positive attitude towards life despite having lost her parents to an accident seven years ago; she is grateful for her loving grandparents (Jose V. Villa and Josefina Ortega-Villa), whom she now lives with. Alondra befriends Armando (Anthony Marquez), a nice guy she met while working at her uncle’s restaurant. Unfortunately, Alondra’s manipulative step-cousin Tatiana (Paloma Rodriguez) wants Armando as her date for her debutante party, and with the help of her sidekicks she keeps Armando and Alondra apart while making them believe that she’s just trying to help.

Director Conchita Nora Villa says, “My family and I wanted to produce a movie that an entire family can watch together. It was also important for me to portray Latinos in a positive, non-stereotypical way.

Ms. Villa’s credits include working on “Selena” and “Mi Familia/My Family” as well as producing various independent projects. After over 10 years of experience in the various facets of the film industry, she decided to team up with her brother, Producer/Writer Juan Francisco Villa, and her family to produce and finance “Alondra Smiles.” This film is Ms. Villa’s directorial debut.

“Alondra Smiles” has also been selected to the International Film Festival in South Africa (October 2008) and the Kids First! Film Festival. “Alondra Smiles” is currently looking for distribution.
Trailer, photos and further information are available at

www.villamediaprod.com
and
www.myspace.com/alondrasmiles

Villa Media Productions is a family-owned and operated company. It is currently developing an “Alondra Smiles” television pilot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxUVBqlQLGs
or
www.alondrasmiles.com

Gracias.

Eduardo Quezada

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