The African Diaspora Film Festival is screening the documentary “How Do I Look” on World AIDS Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY -- Nov. 08, 2007 -- The award-winning documentary “How Do I Look” will be screened at the African Diaspora Film Festival (ADFF) in New York City on December 1, 2007 on World AIDS Day at the Riverside Theatre in Harlem. The screening will be followed by Q&A with director Wolfgang Busch and assistant directors Kevin Omni and Luna Khan.

“How Do I Look” is about the Harlem “Ball” community that originated in the 1970s in Harlem, an off-shoot of the Legendary Harlem “Drag Balls” from the 1920s. This African American and Hispanic Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community is best known for its worldwide influences in dance, fashion, runway, and music -- inspiring Madonna with her best selling music video “Vogue,” fashion designer Thierry Mugler and Marc Jacobs, the music of RuPaul and #1 Billboard dance performer extraordinaire Kevin Aviance with producer GOMI.

This trendsetting artistic community is unfortunately also hit hardest by the AIDS epidemic. Since the beginning of the production of the “How Do I Look” documentary in 1995, nine members from the “Ball” community have passed away: Willi Nijna, Angie Infiniti, Eric Christian Bazaar, Marcel Christian, Gerald Dupree Labeija, Mystery Royale, Kenny Ebony, Pepper LaBeija, and Billy Pemperton – seven of whom have died from AIDS. To this date, many members are struggling every day with the HIV virus. For that reason, much of this community’s history and legacy is lost forever.

This ground-breaking, inspiring, educational and entertaining documentary, now available on DVD, talks about the history of the dance “Vogue” by Willi Ninja, Jose Xtravaganza, and Andre Mizrahi; it sends HIV hope messages by Luna Khan; “Bazaar” fashion designs by Ross Infiniti; runway by Ricky Revlon; transgender issues by Tracy Africa, Carmen Xtravaganza, and Octavia St. Laurent; and the “Ball” history by Marcel Christian and Kevin Omni. “How Do I Look” also features special appearances by columnist Michael Musto, stylist and fashion designer Patricia Field, and Kevin Aviance.

About the screening:

On World AIDS Day (Dec. 1), “How Do I Look” will be screened at 8 pm at the Riverside Theatre, 91 Claremont Ave. @ 120th Street, (212) 870-6784. SUBWAY INFORMATION: Take the 1 train to 116th Street. Tickets are $10.

About “How Do I Look:”

"A documentary 10 years in the making about the over 35 year old Harlem ‘Ball’ community, ‘How Do I Look’ picks up from where ‘Paris Is Burning’ left off, the new school of Vogue champions play fast and loose with their fierce identity. The roll-call of participants in this extraordinary testimony to difference reads like a Who's Who of fabulousness. Kevin Aviance, Jose Xtravaganza, Mystery Royale, China Blue, the legendary Willi Ninja, who died in 2006. My favorite line - 'Truth cannot change no matter how much they cut it off' - is delivered as part of the gritty/ glamorous testimonies of trans people of color, including Tracy Africa, the Irvin Penn-discovered 70s supermodel, until she was found out. At which point the doors closed. Voguing is arguably one of the most powerful expressions of Black and Latino identity. Personal. Powerful. Inspirational." ~ Topher Campbell

About Art From The Heart LLC:

“How Do I Look” is released and distributed independently by Art From The Heart LLC, and we are proud to represent LGBT content at the up-coming prestigious African Diaspora Film Festival in Harlem.

About the African Diaspora Film Festival:

ADFF’s mission is to present films to diverse audiences, redesign the Black cinema experience, and strengthen the role of African and African descent directors in contemporary world cinema. In response to this mission, ADFF features the work of emerging and established filmmakers of color. Most important, ADFF distinguishes itself through its presentation of outstanding works that shine a different or comprehensive light on African Diaspora life and culture --no matter what the filmmaker’s race or nationality. For more information, please visit: http://www.nyadff.org/

About future screenings and where you can buy “How Do I Look:”

“How Do I Look” is currently screened in film festivals across the United States and internationally, and the “How Do I Look” DVD is available on our website, www.HowDoILooknyc.org, on Amazon.com, and through selected retail stores: at Kim’s Video in New York City, at Giovanni’s in Philadelphia, and at A Different Light book store in Los Angeles.

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Wolfgang Busch
Art From The Heart LLC
(718) 726-0831
WolfgangBusch@earthlink.net
kevin.burrus1@verizon.net
www.HowDoILooknyc.org
"How Do I Look" - Screening Information