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HAPPENINGS
LOVELORN COMING SOON TO AN AMERICAN TV Virtic Brown, the film's American representative, tells us that the experience of bringing six films with international awards to the US has been a great source of pride for her. Brown played a role in bringing the film “Redemption”, starring Brian White, to the US. Brown also wrote the screenplay and was the producer for “Will Unplugged”, starring Bruce Glover and Reed Frerichs. The film will be distributed by renowned on-line film distributors.
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hanks to the company All Channel Films, the cable TV channel HBO will soon be screening the Turkish film, “Gönül Yaras›” (Lovelorn), starring well-known actors fiener fien and Meltem Cumbul. All Channel Films provides HBO, Showtime, Starz Encore, and other American cable channels with a range of movies. Brian Stevenson, who is the vice-chairman in charge of purchasing at All Channel Films, is doing the distribution of “Gönul Yaras›” on behalf of his company.
Brown is currently involved in the documentary, “A Field of Blackbirds: What Happened in Kosova”, which was filmed by Switch Studios and will be released in 2008. “Gönül Yaras›”, which will be coming to the small screen in the autumn of 2007, tells the story of the relationship between a retired teacher (fiener fien) and a singer (Meltem Cumbul), who is attempting to escape from the oppression of her exhusband (Timuçin Esen).
ABFT HOSTS U.S. DIPLOMATS
US Ambassador Ross Wilson participated in the cruise, joined by ambassadors and diplomats from the region.
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he American Business Forum in Turkey (ABFT) hosted cruise on the Bosphorus for 30 US diplomats last September. During the cruise ABFT officials underscored the organization’s commitment to free trade and open markets in the energy sector as a crucial driver of Turkey and the region's economic growth. "ABFT recognizes Turkey's strategic position in the region as an 'energy bridge' ", said Galip Sukaya, Chairman of the ABFT Board. “ABFT offered to host the diplomats as a way of underscoring our commitment to to strengthening the bridge between the private and public sectors working on energy policy
and the investment enviroment." US Ambassador Ross Wilson, Honorary Chairman of ABFT, participated in the cruise, joined by ambassadors and diplomats from the region. Also aboard were U.S. State Department Under Secretary for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs, Reuben Jeffery III; Daniel S. Sullivan, Assistant Secretary for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs; and U.S. Consul General in Istanbul Sharon Wiener. Established in January 2004, ABFT represents approximately 70 prestigious U.S. firms operating in Turkey. US Ambassador Ross C. Wilson serves as Honorary Chairman.
LEADERSHIP AWARD GIVEN TO AL‹ ÇINAR
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ased in Washington, the Turkish-American Associations Assembly recently held a leadership conference. Lead by ATAA, Turk of America writer and the President of IUMEZUSA Ali Cinar was honored as the “Leader of the Year” for his services and leadership role in the Turkish community. President of ATAA, Nurten Ural congratulated Ali Cinar for his success and thanked him for all of his work. During his short speech, Ali Cinar said that he will continue to help the Turkish community and follow in the footsteps of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. He also added that 74 • TurkofAmerica
the key to success is to understand each other and to work unilaterally. Turkish Coalition of America was also recognized with a “Success Award” for their services and quick success in the community. The award was given to President Lincoln McCurdy and Executive Director Guler Koknar. Also in Washington, the Volunteer Leadership Award was given to Fatih Çulha as well as the “Thank You Award” to Marilyn Katz Pek for her services. Nurten Urala was also surprised by ATAA and given a gift for her successful work.