Author: Vivian Gu

        The beloved Australian film Amy turns 16 years old this year. Alana De Roma, Rachel Griffiths, and Ben Mendelsohn starred in the film about a girl with hysterical deafness. The film captured the hearts of many around the world, winning numerous awards in the process.

Alana De Roma, who played the title character, now in her early twenties, is still asked about her role in the film. Since the film, Alana De Roma has been teaching dance classes in Australia.

Since Amy, Rachel Griffiths has kept busy as an actress in America, where she has appeared in several hit films including My Best Friend's Wedding alongside Julia Roberts. She also appeared in 1997’s Hilary & Jackie for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Her resume also includes the film Blow and Saving Mr. Banks. Rachel Griffiths has also starred in two popular television series, including HBO’s Six Feet Under and ABC’s Brothers and Sisters with both shows garnering the actress several award nominations. Her newest project is in Stalking Julia, a television movie about the former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The television movie is currently in post-production.

After Amy, Ben Mendelsohn appeared in films such as The Dark Knight Rises, Killing Them Softly, The Place Beyond the Pines, and  Killer Elite. He has been nominated for eight Australian Film Institute awards and he won Best Lead Actor and Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Ben has also won an Astra Award for the Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor-Male. His most recent film is Starred Up, a film about a teenager who meets his father while in jail.

Amy is now available on VOD and Digital Download at http://moviestore.wwmpc.com/amy-movie/ In the month of December, for the first 10 people that use the code DECEMBER10 at checkout, you can buy the film at 75% off.

        Willie Nelson performed at the annual Farm Aid concert in North Carolina on September 13. The annual event allows concert-goers to watch live performances as well as eat food from family farmers who sell their food at the event. This year, there were performances from Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Jack White, and more.

Nelson is the co-founder and president of the non-profit organization Farm Aid. The mission of the organization is to help keep family farmers on their land. The first Farm Aid concert took place in 1985. Since then, the organization has raised over $45 million.

Helping farmers remain on their farms is a cause Willie Nelson has promoted for many years. In 2006, the South Central Farm, an urban farm in Los Angeles, where members of the community could grow their own food, was to be bulldozed. Willie Nelson as well as Daryl Hannah and Joan Baez protested the closure of the urban farm. The South Central Farm was the subject of WWMPC's Welcome to Eden.

For more information, see the Farm Aid website at http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.2739785/apps/s/content.asp?ct=14208689

Management is pleased to announce that WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER (from director Gustavo Ron) was selected for the prestigious 29th Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF) where it screened in competition with a select few in the same category, winning the Adult Jury Prize - 1st place. The picture previously won the “Audience Award” at Indianapolis’ Heartland Film Festival and “Best Feature Film” at the European Children’s Film Festival.

The CICFF showcases the best in culturally diverse, family-friendly new cinema for children and took place from Friday, October 26, to Sunday, November 4, at the Facets Cinema in Chicago. World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation will be releasing the film in 2013.