Award winning film "Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution" to screen at 2013 Winter Film Awards

Feb. 14, 2013 - PRLog -- Not many moments in life change the course of history; break the mold; shatter the status quo and usher in a paradigm shift. But on a chilly night in November 1973, such a moment took place. For the second time in history, the Americans stormed France in an epic battle. This battle, however, would pit the lions of French haute couture— Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, and Emanuel Ungaro against bold, innovative American designers—Anne Klein, Stephen Burrows, Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, and Halston, in a runway rumble for industry dominance.  

Versailles ‘73:  American Runway Revolution is a funny, extraordinary and often poignant collection of memories shared by the models, designers, journalists, patrons and others lucky enough to witness the night that forever changed fashion.  The cast includes Stephen Burrows, Marisa Berenson, Pat Cleveland, Grace Mirabella, Harold Koda, Alva Chinn, Karen Bjornson, Dennis Christopher, Mikki Taylor and more.  With rare footage and archival photos, the before, during and after the fashionable and iconic moment of November 28, 1973 unfold and share light on a little known moment that led to extraordinary change.

The award winning documentary "Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution" will be screened at the 2013 Winter Film Awards Independent Film Festival on Saturday, March 2nd in the 2pm-5pm Screening Block at the Hotel Pennsylvania Globetrotter Ballroom, 401 Seventh Avenue, New York City.

* Winner, Best Documentary, 2012 African-American Film Critics Association Awards
* Winner, CNN Outstanding Documentary,  2012 Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival
* Winner, Best Documentary, 2012 Black Hollywood Film Festival

Versailles '73 was written, directed and produced by Deborah Riley Draper, an awarding advertising executive and filmmaker.  Draper has two documentaries in development and two features in development.  The Atlanta native is committed to bringing complex characters from the African American experience to the screen.

The 2nd Annual WINTER FILM AWARDS Independent Film Festival kicks off Thursday, Feb 28 with 3 days of screenings and after-parties. The event offers something for everyone, highlighting the dynamic range of storytelling the independent filmmaking community has to offer. Among the 58 films selected is a diverse mix of documentaries, shorts, features, animation, music videos and horror films from all over the world.

Winter Film Awards screenings will be held Thursday, February 28 – Saturday, March 2 at the Hotel Pennsylvania's Globetrotter Ballroom (401 7th Ave New York, NY 10001) in three screening blocks – 11am-2pm, 2pm-5pm and 5pm-8pm. The  televised Awards Ceremony will take place Saturday March 2 at 9pm.  WFA will host after-parties each night following the screenings – please check website for venues.  Visit http://www.WinterFilmAwards.com for tickets, schedules, sponsors and details

Winter Film Awards' mission is to recognize excellence and diversity in cinema by nurturing emerging filmmakers and helping them get recognition and contacts to break into a tough industry. They celebrate the crazy cultural mixture that is New York City, showcasing emerging filmmakers from every age, ethnic, racial, religious, cultural, political and geographic perspective.  WFA prides themselves on their diverse collection of films and filmmakers, allowing the audience to enjoy films they normally wouldn't think to seek out.  In addition to the festival, WFA hosts 4-6 events each year in NYC, including panel discussions, networking parties, a 48-Hour Film Challenge and other fun film-related events.  Winter Film Awards is a registered New York State 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Winter Film Awards 2013 Independent Film Festival is proudly sponsored by Showbiz Café, FEARS Magazine,  Footage Firm Royalty-Free Stock Footage, Final Draft Industry Standard Screenwriting Program and media sponsor ProductionHUB, Inc. (http://www.productionhub.com) an online marketplace for broadcast TV, motion picture, pro video, live event, corporate & digital media production.