FilmNewYork

Monday, August 6--------An award-winning documentary on a group of refugees who take hold of their fate and destiny through musical expression is making its New York premiere at the IFC Center next Monday, August 13th. SIERRA LEONE'S REFUGEE ALL-STARS, a powerful and inspirational film by Zach Niles and Banker White, has been a hit on the international film festival circuit, having won the top Documentary Prize at the 2006 AFI Los Angeles Film Festival.

This new documentary tells the remarkable story of The Refugee All Stars, a group of musicians forced from their homes by Sierra Leone's brutal, decade-long civil war that has displaced nearly one-third of the country. Starting out with nothing more than determination and talent, the band has become an international success, their music focusing attention on refugees everywhere and helping to heal the scars of their nation.

The film screening will be preceded by a live performance by the band itself. Following the screening, bandmembers will take part in a Q+A session, which will include guest speaker Ishmael Beah, author of the acclaimed memoir A Long Way Gone. Proceeds from the evening benefit www.ninemillion.org, a UN campaign to raise awareness and funds for refugee youth. Speciality distributor Red Envelope Entertainment will release the film in the Fall.

For more information on the film, hear a music sampler, view the film's trailer and find out how you can donate monies to similar causes, log on to the film's official website: www.refugeeallstars.org. To buy tickets for the special music and film event, visit the IFC Center website: www.ifccenter.com.

Sandy Mandelberger, Film New York Editor