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AKIRA screenings at the PAFF

“AKIRA’S HIP HOP SHOP” TO SCREEN AT THE 16TH ANNUAL
LOS ANGELES PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL

LOS ANGELES, California (February 4, 2008) – “Akira’s Hip Hop Shop”, the award-winning romantic comedy short written and directed by Joe Doughrity, will screen in Los Angeles on February 14th as part of the 16th annual Pan African Film Festival.

The Pan African Film Festival is the largest Black film festival in America. Screenings take place February 7th thru February 18th at the AMC Magic Johnson Crenshaw 15 Theatres. “Akira’s Hip Hop Shop” is an interracial love story about a Japanese guy (James Kyson Lee from NBC’s “Heroes”) infatuated with rap music who falls for a beautiful African-American culinary student (Emayatzy Corinealdi). They wrestle with prejudice and stereotypes from family and friends in an effort to sustain their relationship.

“Akira’s Hip Hop Shop” will be shown on February 14th at 6:20 PM. Writer and Director Joe Doughrity, recipient of the Directors Guild of America’s “Best African-American Director Award” in November of 2007, will appear at a Q&A session following the screening. Cast members Emayatzy Corinealdi and Cordele Taylor (“Epic Movie”) will also be on hand for the event.

For ticket information please contact: http://www.paff.org/home/store

An additional screenings will be held on Saturday, February 16th at11:20 AM.
Two special screenings for high school students will take place on Friday, February 8th at 10:00 AM and Thursday, February 14th at 10:00 AM.

For more information on the Pan African Film & Arts Festival please visit www.paff.org or contact info@paff.org

About “Akira’s Hip Hop Shop”

“Akira’s Hip Hop Shop” is a romantic comedy short film about a Japanese guy and a Black girl who fall for each other based on mutual attraction and common passions. The running time is approximately 37 minutes. In English with some Japanese subtitles.

www.myspace.com/akirashiphopshop

About Joe Doughrity

Photo Credit: AS Eugenio

Joe Doughrity is a screenwriter, director and documentary filmmaker. He began his careeer as an assistant to Oscar nominated director John Singleton (Boyz N the Hood). Signed by Creative Artists Agency in his early 20s, Joe enjoyed a successful career as a professional screenwriter. After watching many of his scripts languish in development, he decided to make his own films. His first effort, “Seven Days in Japan”, won Best Documentary at the San Diego Comic-con International Film Festival in 2005. Joe is a graduate of Columbia College and a member of the Writers Guild of America.

Media Contact:
Harper Public Relations
Traci Harper
HarperPR@aol.com
(310) 497-4886

Management:
Jon Brown
Ensemble Entertainment
(310) 882-8900

Direct:
joedoughrity@gmail.com