WORLD PREMIERE OF “THE HAIRCUT” AT AFI FEST
ON VETERAN’S DAY CELEBRATES
PIONEERING WOMEN IN THE MILITARY
“The Haircut” A Short Film Directed By Alexis O. Korycinski,
Participant In 2014 AFI Directing Workshop For Women Honors Groundbreaking Female Vets On
Tuesday, 11/11 At 6:30 PM At Chinese Theatre 4
Hollywood, CA (10/30/14) — “The Haircut,” a short film celebrating the bravery and historical significance of the first class of women admitted into military academies, is set for its world premiere at AFI Fest on Veteran’s Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 6:30 PM in Chinese 4 theatre at the legendary TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood. The film is directed by Alexis O. Korycinski, a current participant in the 40th annual AFI Directing Workshop For Women.
“The Haircut,” which honors the historical journeys of women in military service in the 1970s, is Directed by Alexis O. Korycinski with the Story by Korycinski and Writer, Julia Cox. Casting Director, Lauren Bass, brought a seasoned cast including Bailey Noble (True Blood), Molly Quinn (Castle), David Starzyk (Mad Men), Walter Fauntleroy (The Young and the Restless), Chad Michael Collins (Sniper: Reloaded), Vanessa Mizzone (American Horror Story: Asylum), Tanya Clarke (A Beautiful Mind), and many other notables to this project.
“I want to give underrepresented women a voice,” observes Director Alexis O. Korycinski, who had the idea of bringing this story to a wide, modern audience. “These women were pioneers staking claim in a hostile patriarchy who withstood repeated assaults on their dedication to service, country, and self. This project was not just about making a beautiful film, but about showing girls that ambition and female empowerment is crucial to the growth of our society.” She continues, “I couldn’t be more honored that “The Haircut” will have its World Premiere at AFI Fest in the center of Hollywood on Veteran’s Day. We salute the brave female trailblazers who dared to dream and dared to make history, and all of our servicemen and women who have and continue to serve our country.”
“The Haircut,” set in 1976, is the story of petite 18-year-old Amy (Bailey Noble), one of the first female cadets accepted into a military service academy following a 174-year ban. As a result of Public Law 94-106 signed by President Ford in 1975, female cadets were first admitted into service academies the following year. Under incredible emotional and physical strain, Amy struggles to survive her first day, battling vicious sexism, swallowing self-doubt, and fighting to prove she has what it takes in “The Haircut.”
Complimentary tickets for “The Haircut” can be ordered at http://afifest2.afi.com/sections/T2774 for the World Premiere on Tuesday, 11/11 at 6:30 PM in Chinese Theatre 4 and for a second screening on Wednesday, 11/12 at 3:30 PM in Chinese Theatre 1. The theatres are located at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, Level 3 at Hollywood & Highland Center, 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028. “The Haircut” precedes the feature film, “Villa Touma.”
“The Haircut” has been selected for the 2014 AFI Directing Workshop for Women; selected for the 2014 AFI FEST (World Premiere); selected for the Creative District $5000 Grant; selected for the Impact First Films $10,000 Grant and selected for the Panavision New Filmmaker Program.
Jenifer Madson, Founder of Impact First says, “Impact First Films exists as a social enterprise for filmmakers using their storytelling to make a difference in the world – to create hope, spirit and possibility. Alexis and the team behind “The Haircut” embody these principles and present beautiful films that provoke thought that creates a conversation to motivate change. I am so proud to be working with Alexis again as we celebrate these brave women and bring their story to the forefront.”
ALEXIS O. KORYCINSKI: DIRECTOR
Alexis O. Korycinski is an award-winning Los Angeles based filmmaker with a penchant for raw human stories. She has directed narrative and feature documentaries and is part of the 40th annual AFI Directing Workshop for Women, where she directed, “The Haircut”. Her feature Directorial debut, “Defining Beauty: Ms. Wheelchair America,” premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival in 2011 and garnered the Audience Award for Best Documentary as well as numerous Festival awards. Alexis has produced documentaries for History, TLC and Travel Channel.
Alexis got her start in storytelling when she was selected out of Syracuse University into the inaugural Aaron “Sorkin Week” immersion program where she interned on “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” After graduating, she assisted Thomas Schlamme on “Life on Mars.” Convinced that she wanted to pursue a career as a narrative director, Alexis has focused her work to represent her passion for women’s issues and empowerment.
JULIA COX: WRITER
A film and television writer, Julia is a graduate of USC’s MFA Screenwriting program, where she won the Josh Schwartz Scholarship, the Edward Small Writing Award and the Mary Pickford Scholarship. She is the writers’ assistant on “Parenthood” (NBC) and she previously worked on “Cult” (CW). She is currently co-writing an original pilot with McG, has a feature screenplay, “The Takeaway,” in development with Di Novi Pictures and wrote Alexis’ last short, “Ballon.”
JENIFER MADSON: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Jenifer is the founder of Impact First Films, a social enterprise which provides financial grants and business consulting to filmmakers who are using their talents for social good. She is an award winning author and success coach to Fortune 100 Executives, and is the Executive Producer for “Ballon,” a short Directed by Alexis, looking at the world of competitive ballet and addiction.
About AFI FEST presented by Audi
A program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST presented by Audi is a celebration of global cinema and today’s Hollywood — a showcase for the best festival films of the year and an opportunity for master filmmakers and emerging artists to come together with audiences in the movie capital of the world. AFI FEST is the only festival of its stature that is free to the public. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category for the annual Academy Awards®.
The 28th edition of AFI FEST 2014 presented by Audi will take place November 6–13, 2014.
Additional information about AFI FEST is available at AFI.com/AFIFEST. Connect with AFI FEST at/AFIFEST, /AFIFEST and /AFIFEST.
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