Tonight, February 25 at 10:00p.m. ET/7:00p.m. PT Ovation, the only network devoted to artists and every kind of artistic expression, will premiere an original documentary produced by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE(R) gin and TV Production Company Leopard Films USA, titled IMAGINATION UNLEASHED: AN ARTISAN'S JOURNEY. Celebrity filmmakers Freddy Rodriguez, Danny Simmons, Laz Alonso, Persia White and Melora Hardin are featured in the world premiere of the documentary, which explores the convergence of emerging and established artistic talent. Documentarian Lauren Lazin follows each director as they make a short film with an aspiring young artist from their home city and then travel with the artist to their international debut during Art Basel Miami.
In October 2012, each of the five celebrity filmmakers was matched with an up-and-coming artist from his or her native city, who had also been selected as a finalist in the prestigious nationwide art talent competition: the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Artisan Series. These filmmaker/artist pairs set out to collaborate against the backdrop of their shared hometown by creating a unique short film that explored the hidden potential and beauty in the world around us. The 60-minute documentary follows the pairs as they film their shorts and as the artists prepare for their debut during Art Basel Miami, held December 6-9, 2012.
Imagination Unleashed: An Artisan's Journey provides a glimpse into the individual creative processes of these young artists, from the time they are chosen as BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Artisan Series finalists, through their collaboration with the filmmaker and on to the finale event during Art Basel Miami. The journey of each finalist parallels the journey of the five hometown celebrity filmmakers: New York (
Danny Simmons), Chicago (
Freddy Rodriguez), Miami (Persia White), Washington D.C. (
Laz Alonso) and Houston (
Melora Hardin).
Imagination Unleashed: An Artisan's Journey, is executive produced by Academy Award(R)- nominated producer Lauren Lazin and Leopard Films USA's
Michael Winter, in association with BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin.
For more information about the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Artisan Series program, please visit http://on.fb.me/mybombay. To view each of the celebrity filmmaker/artist short film collaborations, please follow the five links below.
Danny Simmons & Edgartista Gonzalez:
http://bit.ly/SapphireArtisanNYCPersia White & Jovan Villalba:
http://bit.ly/SapphireArtisanMiamiMelora Hardin & Jed Foronda:
http://bit.ly/SapphireArtisanHoustonLaz Alonso and Al Burts:
http://bit.ly/SapphireArtisanDCFreddy Rodriguez & Hebru Brantley:
bit.ly/SapphireArtisanChicagoAbout BOMBAY SAPPHIRE
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE(R) is the fastest-growing premium gin in the world and world's number one premium gin by value. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is created with a unique combination of ten hand-selected botanicals, sourced from around the globe. The brand's global essence and signature vapor infusion process impart a refined and perfectly balanced taste, versatile enough for both classic cocktails and exotic recipes. Infused with Imagination, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is a symbol of the exploration of worldly and sophisticated lifestyles. For more information, please explore www.bombaysapphire.com.
About Leopard Films USA
Leopard Films
USA is a leading producer of non-fiction television and digital programming in the lifestyle space. The company is best known for delivering high-quality, high-volume franchises, including the global hits
House Hunters International and Dear Genevieve (HGTV), and Man Caves (DIY). Other current shows include Mom Caves for HGTV, Top Spot for Travel, and
Taste in Translation for Cooking Channel. Leopard Films
USA is part of the UK-based Argonon group, whose other companies also include London-based Leopard Films, Leopard Drama, Remedy, and Argonon International, as well as Vancouver-based Remedy Canada. The group was most recently awarded the prestigious Czech Crystal for
Matthew Bourne's Christmas, showcasing his cutting-edge choreography, and released the theatrical feature Swan Lake 3D.
About Ovation
Ovation is a network devoted to artists and every kind of artistic expression. Ovation programming is a one-of-a-kind mix of original and selectively curated series, films, documentaries and specials. The network reaches a national audience of 48 million homes and is available on cable systems across the country, as well as nationally on DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-Verse. Ovation is also available in HD and VOD (both in standard and high definition). Ovation extends its linear channel experience for viewers online via its popular website, www.ovationtv.com . In addition, Ovation is also active in the social media space.
