"What Goes Around" Wins "Best Urban Feature Film Award" at the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival

"What Goes Around", an independent feature film written and directed by McClinton Karma Stanley and executive produced by Deborah Battle Pointer has won the "Best Urban Feature Fim Award" at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. The awards will be presented on December 18, 2004 at the fasionable Gallery lounge in the Gershwin Hotel (7 East 27th St. NYC) at 8:30 pm.

(PRWEB) December 14, 2004 -- "What Goes Around", an independent feature film written and directed by McClinton Karma Stanley and executive produced by Deborah Battle Pointer (Co-Executive Producer, Def Poetry Jam) has won the "Best Urban Feature Film Award" at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. The award will be presented on December 18, 2004 at 8:30 pm at the fashionable Gallery Lounge at the Gershwin Hotel (7 East 27th St.) in New York City.

A film made and produced by Brooklyn, New York filmmakers showcasing some of the finest young actors and poets in the New York area won the Best Urban Feature Award" at the New York Independent International Film Festival. A modern day "Boys in the Hood" like film shot in the streets and projects of Brooklyn, New York. This is an independent feature film that crosses over inter-generational lines and stresses the importance and power of voting, community empowerment, the resilience of the human spirit and behavior and consequences. What goes around always comes back around.

The influence of Hip-Hop continues to be felt on the New York film scene with the first independent film executive produced by Deborah Battle Pointer, co-executive producer of Def Poetry Jam and writer, producer, editor and director McClinton Karma Stanley.

The starring cast includes: Julian Thomas as Raz, John Beckles as Keyo,Kiro Jo Williams as Cynthia, Javier Corniell as Dizzy, Jennifer Pinto as Keisha and John Shaw as King Pin. Narubi Selah gives an outstanding performance as Donna and is joined by poet and writer Raul Maldonado as Top Boss, Hector Lino as Jem-K, actress Joan J as the mother and Albert Avedon as the detective.

Featured also are Def Poetry Jam poets "Kayo", Flowmentalz, Gemini, Butterfly Soul,Yolanda Wilkerson and Helena Lewis.

The awards will be presented on December 18, 2004 from 8:30-10:00 pm at the fashionable Gallery Lounge located in the Gershwin Hotel (7 East 27th St.) New York City.

Additional information about the film festival is available at http://www.nyfilmvideo.com/.

What Goes Around is presented by Korna Stonz Productions Inc., McClinton Karma Stanley and Deborah Battle Pointer. Ms. Pointer is the executive producer of the acclaimed Peabody Award-winning HBO series "Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry" and was executive consultant on Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway which won both critical hosannas and the coveted 2003 Tony award for "Best Special Theatrical Event". Mr. Stanley is an international filmmaker who has worked with Spike Lee, Ossie Davis, Melvin Van Peeples and Lindsey Barrett. Mr. Stanley was a part of the film team that won the Golden Eagle Award" for the documentary film Diggers" and the Academy Award winning documentary film, When We Were Kings". This is Mr. Stanley's directorial debut and Ms. Pointer's first feature film to executive produce.

"For the past five years there has been tremendous growth in the underground poetry slam movement and the number of one person shows, screenplays, movies and group ensembles written by the members of the hip-hop generation. This movie, written, directed and produced by McClinton Stanley gives voice to the hip-hop generation and transcends generational boundaries. During a time when many newly registered young voters feel discouraged about the value of their vote, What Goes Around" speaks to the importance of voting and the history that surrounds our votes. It is also a strong film about behavior and consequences," says Pointer.

"I wanted to give a voice to the voiceless", says McClinton Karma Stanley. I wrote, directed, edited and produced this movie because I wanted to show that the issues that we faced in the 60's are still with us today. The recent election demonstrates that we must continue to organize and work together to bring about a change in our community," says Stanley.

Amidst a sold out first showing and a standing ovation second performance, the feature film debut of McClinton Stanley and Deborah Pointer was one of the most talked about feature films in the festival.

"It was terrific", said Staten Island resident, Darrell Banks. The crack head was so believable that I thought she would overdose in the movie."

"The movie had me in tears, said Ronald Johnson. For anyone who has ever lived in the projects, they can truly identify. It was unbelievable! Ms. Pointer has the magic touch. She keeps it real, just like she has done with Def Poetry and, McClinton Stanley should be proud of his directorial debut. The movie was fierce."

"What Goes Around" is a contemporary story with all of the elements of a Shakespearean tragedy: love, power, honor, betrayal and death. The story takes place in the housing projects and streets of Brooklyn, New York. From a youthful pact to be friends forever, three young men put their friendship to its ultimate test.

For information about the movie What Goes Around" contact Korna Stonz Productions at (718) 941-1089 or debpointer1@aol.com.

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