Filmmaker Debuts Independent Movie Smoke & Mirrors" at Historic Cunneen-Hackett Theatre to Benefit Local Mentoring Program for Girls in Poughkeepsie, NY

Raul Maldonado, indie filmmaker, director and producer gives back to the community by donating proceeds of his debut film, "Smoke & Mirrors" to Poughkeepsie, NY non-profit mentoring program, Girls Empowerment Club. All parties involved hope to have a super turnout, which will in the end benefit the mentoring program.

Poughkeepsie, NY (PRWEB) November 16, 2004 -- Independent filmmaker, producer and director Raul Maldonado presents his film Smoke & Mirrors" at a screening on Saturday, December 4th at 8:00 pm, at the historic Cunneen-Hackett Theater & Cultural Arts Center located at 9 Vassar Street in Poughkeepsie, NY. Tickets are $10 available at the door; call the theatre to confirm times and for directions at (845) 486-4571.

With a cast and crew of over 20 including Hudson Valley, NY resident Fabian Stone playing "Mirrors" as the male lead and Jennifer Pinto portraying "Smoke", the female lead, Smoke & Mirrors" is a story of a decent man driven to violence by a hostile environment, a family living with the reality of an addict father, and a young boy struggling against temptation of the fast life of the street. The completion and fruition of the film is a dream come true for Maldonado, a former Marine and Mercy College, NY alumnus. All of my life experiences, the obstacles Ive overcome, and even living with my disability have prepared me and led up to the realization of this dream", says Maldonado.

The film which was written, produced, directed and edited by Maldonado will be screened in Poughkeepsies Cunneen-Hackett Cultural Arts Center and Theatre located at 9 Vassar Street in Poughkeepsie, NY; a beautiful 100 year old Victorian building which was recently restored and which Smoke & Mirrors" will be it's first film screening since completion of the renovations. For more information on the film or to reach Maldonado, call (973) 818-9965.

Maldonado, who is a firm believer in giving back to the community, will be generously donating the proceeds of the Cunneen-Hackett screening to a local Poughkeepsie non-profit, grassroots organization, Girls Empowerment Club, a mentoring program for girls ages 9-15, boasting 50 members strong, where girls are taught self-esteem, given homework help, taught leadership and self-empowerment through sports, namely basketball. The head organizer, Allison Miller, created the group after surviving 9/11, and deciding to take her second chance to make a difference and give back to her community. For more information on Girls Empowerment Club call (914) 204-5858. It is Maldonados and Millers hopes that the community at large will turnout for a most worthy cause, and enjoy a positive, thought-provoking, powerful film.

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