Saturday, November 24, 2007

Excelsior's and Jamaica’s Leonie Forbes (left, with fellow actress Claudia Robinson) , OD, veteran broadcaster, theatre personality and actress was on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 recognized by the US Congress and the Jamaican community in New York for her five decades of professional excellence in broadcasting, theatre and film.

In acknowledging her outstanding body of work, Acting Consul General, Lincoln Downer who presented Ms. Forbes with her certificate of merit from the Consulate General of Jamaica and a citation from US Congressman Ed Towns (Brooklyn), said that she, “has blazed a trail of excellence and has also paved the way for aspiring

Jamaicans and Caribbean actors and actresses”.

“It is only fitting that we laud Ms. Forbes given her outstanding contribution to the dramatic arts, for promoting Brand Jamaica an in particular, for here latest role in “A Winter Tale”, a film by Trinidadian Frances Ann Solomon.”

The Jamaican community award was presented by businessman Patrick Payne who was instrumental in bringing a number of national pantomimes to the New York area audience.

With leading roles in twelve national pantomimes and a number of films including ‘Club Paradise’, ‘Smile Orange’, ‘Milk & Honey’, Ms. Forbes is in New York for the premiere of her latest film, ‘A Winter Tale,’ a Leda Serene Films Presents by Solomon which will have three showings at two New York City area theatres today through December 9, as part of the 15th Annual African Diaspora Film Festival (ADFF).

Other show dates are, Sunday, November 25, at 6:00 pm at the Thalia Theatre, 2537 Broadway & 95th Street, NYC and on Saturday, December 1 at the Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue @ 2nd Street, NYC at 3:30 pm.

“A Winter Tale” tells the emotional story of a Black men’s support group that forms in a local Caribbean take out restaurant in Toronto, Canada after a young boy is killed by a stray bullet. A clip of the film was show to the audience at the reception.

The ADFF presents an eclectic mix of foreign, independent, classic and urban films representing the global lack experience through an extraordinary range of subjects and artistic approaches and is the largest showcase of Black cinema on the US East Coast.

Tuesday’s reception at the Consulate General of Jamaica, Manhattan also paid tribute to actor Peter Williams who plays a leading role in the film ‘A Winter Tale’ alongside Ms. Forbes. Williams’ film credits include Catwoman, Chronicles of Riddick and Stargate SG-1.