Louis Gossett, Jr. To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award Honor as the 10th annual Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival Salutes Hollywood's Most Accomplished September 12, 2004

Join Actor, Louis Gossett, Jr., Director, Jonathan Lynn, R&B Icon, Lou Rawls, Photographer, Michael Childers, Actress, Gina Gershon, Film Composer/Musician, Trevor Rabin, Dean of USC School of Cinema-Television, Elizabeth M. Daley for an unforgettable evening.

Temecula, CA (PRWEB) August 23, 2004 -- Hes an accomplished actor who has never forgotten his Roots," Academy Award winning, multiple Emmy Award winning actor, Louis Gossett, Jr. will be receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Temecula
Valley International Film & Music Festival (TVIFMF) annual Black-Tie Awards Gala , 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 12, 2004 at Wilson Creek Winery (35960 Rancho California Rd., Temecula). This years other honorees include R&B Icon, Lou Rawls -- presented by Isaac Hayes, Film Composer/Musician, Trevor Rabin- presented by Director, Renny Harlin, Director, Jonathan Lynn -- presented by Actress, Natasha Henstridge and Oscar-winning Film Editor, Paul Hirsh, Actress, Gina Gershon, Icons & Legends Fame Photographer, Michael Childers and Dean of USC School of Cinema-Television, Dr. Elizabeth M. Daley. Master of Ceremonies for Gala Night is International Entertainment Correspondent/Author, Nelson Aspen.
   
Gossett celebrates his 53rd professional year in show business as a working actor. He won an Oscar for his role in Officer and A Gentleman and has appeared in over 100 films. This Emmy winning actor who is part of Televisions historical mini-series, Alex Haleys Roots, has racked up numerous awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe for HBOs The Josephine Baker Story, and even in the beginning of his career as a theatrical stage performer who won a Donaldson Award for Best Newcomer in his first performance in a Broadway theatrical production. But its his life story, which is the most significant achievement of all. His choice role models are ones who represent hard work, determination and overcoming obstacles. He most admires his father, his great-grandmother (who lived to be approximately 115 years old -- 'approximately because births and deaths were not recorded back then) and Actor, Sidney Poitier who paved the way for African American actors. Gossett is no stranger to hard work and determination -- or succeeding in multiple arenas simultaneously. Juggling the decision between medical school, sports and acting was something Gossett had to face early on.

I was losing everyone around me and I started out wanting to become a doctor, because I wanted everyone to live a long time. I got a scholarship and I was Pre-Med at NYU, studying sports and drama and became a Physical Therapist so I had something to fall back on when there was no acting work," states Gossett. I loved sports -- in fact I played ball in the Summertime with Sandy Koufax. But I also loved drama. I was drafted to the NY Knicks and realized I could make a better living at acting, as ballplayers werent paid the big salaries back then," he explains. Gossett was offered the ideal role and he decided to take the acting career journey in the Broadway production of "A Raisin in the Sun" opposite Sidney Poitier which led to a lifelong career in the entertainment industry.

Since then, Gossett has pushed himself to perform, exceed his own goals and really push that professional stretch so that he could grow as an actor and continue to challenge himself. Three of Gossetts roles have defined his best acting moments in his eyes. The speedy opening speech in Officer and a Gentleman (and having to go through physical Marine training), the key moment where Kunta Kinte was whipped, and the hardest, yet most satisfying role in Enemy Mine are the moments that stand out for me. I had 7 hours worth of makeup for Enemy Mine -- they had to make two complete sets of lizard skin and it was difficult for me. I had to create and emote the character through all that make-up, but I loved it," explains Gossett.

This Producer, Director, Voice-over artist has numerous television credits, but he also has even more talents! He co-wrote the well known song "Handsome Johnny" with Richie Havens. As the opening act for the original Woodstock, Havens performed "Handsome Johnny", as the 8th song in that historic first set. He Executive Produced a Showtime film called In His Fathers Shoes" which won a Cable ACE (Achievement Cable Excellence) Award, Parents Choice Gold Award and Emmy Award for Best Childrens Special. His humanitarian efforts are as long as his career accomplishments, including his involvement with The Family Tree" geared toward bonding youngsters throughout the U.S. who do not have a very solid family foundation.

His latest project is ERACISM -The removal from existence of the belief that one race is superior to another.. Gossett is dedicating the last quadrant of his life to an all-out conscientious offensive against racism. "Violence is a war, and the energy we exert on war, I would like to pray that energy gets reverted back to a communal effort to save the planet. So perhaps in my own small way I can generate some energy toward the salvation of the planet because when we win a war we win a dying planet" states Gossett. His upcoming projects will reflect his mission. He is currently working on The King of the Blacks" -- a new project he defines as 'keeping history alive -- like Braveheart for African American culture.

Celebrating ten years, the TVIFMF is slated for September 8-12 at The Movie Experience 10 at Tower Plaza (E. I-15 @Ynez Road & Rancho California Road). Last year the festival had over 8,000 attendees, boasting participation from 200 filmmakers, musicians, producers, directors, writers, judges, cast and crew, this year the expected attendance is well over 10,000.

This years 10th anniversary celebration plans to be an action-packed event showcasing the best in the film and music from the US and around the world including countries such as Australia, France, Japan and Italy. This years film showcases include presentations from The American Film Institute (AFI), Independent Feature Project (IFP), Toronto Intl Film Festival Group, Australian Film & TV Radio School, San Diego State University and sister festival, Rome Independent Film Festival (RIFF) which will be the highlight supplement to four full general screening days of shorts, documentaries, animation, features and student films.

Other highlights include: Opening Night Red Carpet Screening and Party, a Saturday All --Day Music Fest featuring emerging, up and coming unsigned performing artists, bands and vocal performers - with ten finalists selected to be part of the 10th anniversary compilation CD and a weekend of film & music industry workshops and panels featuring the hottest cutting-edge entertainment industry information from Hollywood professionals.    

For all ticket information, go to www.tviff.com or call Festival Director, Jo Moulton: 909/699-8681 or email jmmoulton@earthlink.net.

Media contact:
Stacey Kumagai at 818/506-8675                                            

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