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Best Feature!

For Immediate Release – April 14, 2009

INDEPENDENT AMERICA – RISING FROM RUINS, WINS BEST FEATURE AT NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL

NEW ORLEANS/TORONTO APRIL 14, 2009 - Independent America: Rising from Ruins has won the Patois Award for Best Feature at the New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival. The film (70’, HD) (http://www.risingfromruins.com) takes a hard yet hopeful look at the risks and rewards faced by entrepreneurs leading the recovery in post-Katrina New Orleans.

Emily Ratner, Festival Co-Director states, “We are thrilled to present the Patois Award for Best Feature to the film Independent America: Rising From Ruins.  This award is one of the highest honors that our festival bestows and is given to the film that most exemplifies our mission: using the media of film to generate and promote community dialogue about important social justice issues. Rising from Ruins is exactly the kind of film we love to present. It is a powerful film that is especially relevant to all of us living here in New Orleans. And it’s great filmmaking.”

US Film Festival Premiere

For Immediate Release - March 31, 2009

RISING FROM RUINS SET TO HAVE U.S. PREMIERE AT NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL APRIL 1

NEW ORLEANS/TORONTO March 31, 2009 - Independent America: Rising from Ruins, a new feature documentary by filmmaker Hanson Hosein and Executive Producer Tom Powers will have its U.S. premiere at PATOIS: The Sixth Annual New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival on April 1 at 6 pm at the New Orleans Museum of Modern Art.

Independent America: Rising from Ruins (70’, HD) (http://www.risingfromruins.com) takes a hard yet hopeful look at the risks and rewards of small business ownership in post Katrina New Orleans. It depicts the locals coming home to resurrect their businesses and neighbourhoods and the challenges they now face from all sides including their City government and big box retail.

Emily Ratner, Festival Co-Director states, “We are so proud to help bring this premiere to New Orleans. Rising from Ruins is exactly the kind of film we love to present. It is a powerful film that is especially relevant to all of us living here in New Orleans. And its great filmmaking.”