Topical and Meaningful Reflections on Today’s World.
By Gordon Durich
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 6/14/25 – The films, not movies, in the Authentic Global Film Awards held at the Fine Arts Theatre, Beverly Hills gave filmmakers like this writer and viewers reason to believe. In the power of storytelling, with themes including faith based, mental health, disability and neurodiversity and topical themes such as immigration and equality. Organizers of the Authentic Global Film Awards included judge actor, HBO, lawyer and minister Xlylina Cooper and Carole Joyce, producer, with From the Heart Productions. Program Director actress Anabelle Munro shared it took six months, “not a year (which is usual) to put together a Film Festival,” due to self-described “crazy dreamer” AGFA Dr. Gershom Sikaala, and God’s will.
Opening Day of the two-day event’s line- up of works on June 12 was impressive, delivering a message of advancing this world with the art of film. “Echoes of Light” the first block included the opening film the drama “My Toy” a Danish short directed by Syrian Mazen Haj Kassem, and Mark Starks’ “Marilyn the Bookworm,” revealing Hollywood icon Monroe’s passion for reading, a 4-minute documentary; “Where We Begin” included the Jasmin Please Haugestuen helmed “Lucky Alien,” a drama about the immigration system. “Breakthrough” opened with the inspirational story of persecuted Baptist minister who risked treason to secure religious freedom for all, “John Clarke- America’s Forgotten Patriot,” directed by Taylor Lyons and Andrea M. Clarke, a From The Heart fiscally sponsored project and “Uplift” featured “Stairway to the Stars,” a 25 minute Hollywood drama with editor (and actor/director) Monroe Robertson in person and “26 Seconds Docuseries” a powerful documentary directed by Kelly Galindo, about the border crisis.
Animation, a fascinating panel talk featuring Derrick Boseman, honoring his brother actor Chadwick Boseman and a red-carpet media happening made things even more interesting- and inspirational.
www.authenticglobalfilmawards.com
https://fromtheheartproductions.comgershomsikaala.org
