The Movies That Matter Film Series presents CONCUSSION

The Granada Theatre announces the screening of Concussion, the next installment of the "Movies That Matter with Hal Conklin" Film Series on Monday, May 15, 2017 at 7:00pm. Based on an incredible true story, Concussion highlights Dr. Bennet Omalu's remarkable discovery of the relationship between football-related concussions and brain damage. Prior to the film screening, guests will enjoy a discussion between series curator and former Santa Barbara mayor, Hal Conklin, and his guests Dr. Stephen Kaminski, Medical Director of Trauma Services at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital; Melissa Grunt, CPNP, Concussion Clinic Nurse Practitioner, Cottage Children's Medical Center; and Laura Capps, Santa Barbara Unified School District Board Member who will discuss sports related head trauma in schools.

To protect every child and player from the effects of head traumas, California state laws passed in recent years mandate that coaches and players at public or private schools must follow minimum concussion standards. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the governing body for athletic programs for all high schools in the state, has adopted these guidelines. Prior to the film screening, Mr. Conklin will take the stage with Dr. Kaminski, Ms. Grunt and Ms. Capps for a compelling conversation about California's laws and regulations surrounding sports related injuries in schools, as well as the concussion protocol for schools, and how the Cottage Concussion Clinic is involved in helping student athletes.

Concussion stars Will Smith, who plays Dr. Bennet Omalu, a Kenyan-born genius who graduated from medical school at the age of 16 and holds eight advanced degrees as well as multiple board certifications, including a board-certified forensic pathologist. After investigating the death of the Pittsburgh Steeler's superstar, Mike Webster, Dr. Omalu discovered that Webster's brain was damaged because of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), caused by an estimated 70,000 blows to his head he suffered as a football player. The credits reveal some of the changes that have occurred Since Dr. Omalu first published his first paper in 2005 in order to prevent young athletes whose brains are still developing from having repeated head traumas.

Each film in the "Movies That Matter" Film Series has been carefully selected by former Santa Barbara mayor and film critic, Hal Conklin, for their ability to touch the soul and draw out the best in humanity. These stories teach about forgiveness, loving others, and loving ourselves, and provide a renewed enthusiasm for living life with compassion and grace.

Tickets range in price from $10 - $20, and are available through The Granada Theatre's Box Office - please click here to purchase or call the Box Office at (805) 899-2222. Dates and film titles are subject to change.

To learn more about how to support The Granada Theatre, please contact Hayley Firestone Jessup, Vice President for Advancement, at 805-899-3000 or hjessup@granadasb.org. For more information, please visit www.granadasb.org.

About The Granada Theatre

The SBCPA, a privately-funded 501(c)(3) corporation established in 1983, is dedicated to providing best-in-class production, sales and administrative support to arts organizations from throughout the Santa Barbara region, including its Historic Theatre District partners (Lobero Theatre and the New Vic Theatre) as well as its eight resident companies (CAMA, Music Academy of the West, Opera Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Choral Society, Santa Barbara Symphony, State Street Ballet, Theater League and UCSB Arts & Lectures).

The SBCPA's most visible service is operation of The Granada Theatre. Purchased by the SBCPA in 2003, restored and reopened in 2008, The Granada Theatre has state-of-the-art electrical, sound, lighting and fly systems, large and up-to-date dressing rooms, as well as contemporary audience amenities. By providing a world-class venue with skilled house management staff, production staff, marketing and ticketing services staff, the SBCPA is making it possible for many of Santa Barbara's finest performing arts organizations to present their programs with the highest level of contemporary production support and audience comfort. For more information please visit www.granadasb.org.