Hollywood and Latino Stars Align for the "MANO" West Coast Premiere and VIP Reception

TapizMedia.com - February 29, 2008

The dance/drama short film "MANO" premieres in the West Coast at 8:45pm on March 3.

(PRNewsChannel) / Los Angeles, Calif. - Rising international finance accountant turned award-winning filmmaker Anthony Nardolillo proudly announces that his dance/drama short film "MANO" will premiere in the West Coast at 8:45pm on March 3, 2008 at the legendary Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. 

Buzz over the new film, unusual for a short format, has propelled the event as one of the most sought-after red carpets by movie executives and Hollywood and Latino celebrities. Fans of Salsa music and quality Latino films responded overwhelmingly to the "MANO" West Coast Premiere invitation; the event sold-out within hours of the official announcement.

A partial list of celebrities confirmed to attend the red carpet event include: Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty), Mario Lopez (Dancing with the Stars),  Ezequiel Stremiz (Amas de Casa Desesperadas, the Spanish language version of Desperate Housewives), Efren Ramirez (Napoleon Dynamite), Lee Thompson Young (Friday Night Lights,  Akeelah and the Bee), Amaury Nolasco (Prison Break, Transformers)  and Columbus Short (Stomp the Yard).

Winner for Best Cinematography at the Sol Dance Film Festival & Filmmakers Discovery House® 2008 in Park City Utah, "MANO" has also been selected by the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) to participate in the fourth annual Latino Media MarketT (LMM).  Selected LMM filmmakers have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with industry representatives to fund feature development or production.

Written, produced and directed by Nardolillo, "MANO" tells the story of Victor and Machito; best friends growing up and heavily involved in the underground salsa scene. Separated as teenagers after the death of Victor's father, Victor leaves New York all together; however the passion for dance and music never leaves him. After returning to the block he grew up on years later, he seeks out his childhood buddy Machito, whom he discovers has followed his father's fatal footsteps. Staring Giancarlo Esposito (Do the Right Thing, Carlitos Way; Rise to Power, Usual Suspects, Feel the Noise),  Laz Alonso (Jarhead, Stomp the Yard, Avatar) , Lee Thompson Young (Friday Night Lights,  Akeelah and the Bee , The Hills Have Eyes 2), Yesenia  Adame (Dancing with the Stars, National Bingo Night) and introducing Anthony Nardolillo. The short film is the predecessor to the feature length film which is currently in development and being produced by Michael Walktins - Executive producer of X-Files and Prison Break.

Prior to the screening of "MANO," the film will be introduced by Imagen Award Winning Director Adam Schlachter who will also showcase his latest promotional short on Latino filmmakers: "We are all Latino."

About Anthony Nardolillo:
Brooklyn born Anthony Nardolillo is a "West Side Story" symbol engendered of Puerto Rican and Italian parents.  A renaissance man of sorts, Nardolillo wrote, directed and produced the short film "MANO." In his first ever involvement in a cinematic project, Nardolillo also stars and dances in the film.  Nardolillo graduated from Shepherd University in 2001 with a BA in accounting, where he works and has specialized in the field of international finance. In 2006, after being discovered while salsa dancing in LA and approached about acting in a film, he packed up and made the move to the film capital of the world.  The movie he pursued never came to fruition, but in the process he met now close friend and "Stomp the Yard" star Columbus Short, who pushed him into developing his own project; since raising money was something Nardolillo had developed a reputation for among his peers.  Effectively utilizing both sides of his brain to tap into his creativity as well as his pragmatic business side, Nardolillo steps up to the plate, literally, with this impressive short film based on brotherly love and fellowship in the competitive world of salsa music and song.

For an updated list of celebrity attendees, media coverage, interviews, photo ops, review requests and invitation to the screening and after party:

Contact: Daniel Morales
Phone: (310) 775-1681
Email:
Web site: www.tapizmedia.com

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