Teaser for New Documentary "The American Question" Challenges Americans To Question Whether They Are Part Of The Problem

Award Winning Director and co-creator of The American Question James Kicklighter

A year after the historically divisive 2016 elections, a new documentary is challenging Americans to stop blaming others and question how their own decisions and actions shape the contours of our society and our country. 

By asking questions about family, money, religion, civics and more, the film gets viewers to question whether the divisions in our society truly stem from group dynamics, or if we're all part of the problem as individuals.

A trailer for the film has now been released  to audiences worldwide.

The Trailer:

"The American Question," produced by Guy Seemann – a political veteran and entrepreneur who's lived all over the world and directed by James Kicklighter – a Hollywood filmmaker raised in rural Georgia, profiles dozens of Americans from across the political, economic and social spectrum in search of these answers, going far deeper than just getting people together to find some superficial common ground.

The film explores this question through the lens of history, deteriorating civic education and evolving culture rather than rehashing the 2016 election. 

• After conducting dozens of interviews of people from different walks of life all across the country, the creators believe something much bigger is at work, and that it has the potential to threaten the status of America as a superpower.

"We found that our divides had nothing to do with the election," Seemann said. "Fights spring up over core values which are supposed to unite us as a nation. Religion, speech, equality, opportunity -- these concepts kept coming up over and over again."

"This is a unique period in time, but the identity crisis we're feeling is part of a cyclical pattern in this country. After our nation unites to defeat a common enemy – the imperial British, slavery and secession or the Nazis, we tend to lose our cohesiveness. This time, though, we have to address this issue or our status as a cohesive entity – let alone a superpower – is under threat," he added.

Kicklighter continued, "there's a set of values that define what it means to be an American. I heard people from all corners of the country saying the other side did not have their interests in mind. A fascinating pattern unfolded about the broader culture here, and we are trying to figure out what's causing it and what it means."

"What's dangerous is when someone comes to a different set of conclusions based on their ideological perspective and pegs the other as an enemy simply because the other doesn't agree with their individualized ideology," Kicklighter said. "I hope The American Question helps people recognize that their neighbor is as American as they are. That's the starting point we need to get to," he said.

With entire communities in crisis due to this breakdown over America's core values, the filmmakers are looking to spark a national conversation to encourage viewers to rethink how they themselves approach their own life decisions as well as their perceived differences with their neighbors. 

• Seemann, Kicklighter and their national team want to enable them to reconcile over the shared values laid out in the founding documents which have helped the country overcome adversity since its founding.

Political Scientist, Producer and co-creator of the American Question Guy Seemann

SOURCE: The American Question

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Nicki Minaj Stars In H&M's Magical Holiday Film

(PRNewsfoto/H&M)

The H&M's 2017 Holiday campaign film will star Nicki Minaj alongside Jesse Williams and John Turturro. Directed by Johan Renck, the film tells a story of a parallel fantasy world filled with memorable characters and a universal message of caring for one another.

A modern take on the classic fairytale, the film centres around a heroic little girl who tracks down the evil brother of Santa Claus in order to save the holiday season from his selfishness. 

(Image courtesy of H&M)

Nicki Minaj stars as the mother of the little girl as well as the fabulous fairy named the Wisest Thingy, while Jesse Williams plays the dual role of the father and the supernatural Fastest Fairy, and John Turturro takes on the part of both Santa Claus and the evil brother of Santa Claus.

"I love the film's over all empowering message. I love seeing this young girl become the champion that lives in all of us. There's always magic in the air during the Holidays," says Nicki Minaj 

"It's exciting to see our festive designs come to life together with such inspirational talents. They definitely added some extra magic to the film and we hope that our customers will love how the fashion is presented throughout the holiday season at H&M," says Pernilla Wohlfahrt, H&M's Head of Design and Creative Director.

(Image courtesy of H&M)

The Teaser Film:

• The full version of the Holiday film will go live on hm.com on November 28th.

SOURCE: H&M

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Ted Naifeh to Kickstarter Heroines Graphic Novel

The Heroines Cast

Ted Naifeh, creator of Princess Ugg and Courtney Crumrin, is set to launch a Kickstarter in partnership with Space Goat Publishing for his latest passion project, Heroines. 

The campaign will focus on the Heroines graphic novel -- a digest-size, perfect-bound collection of all eight issues of Heroines totaling over 200 pages of content. It will be published under Space Goat's Backpack Editions.

"All my life, I've been a fan of superheroes in one form or another," said creator Ted Naifeh. "And I've always wanted to explore the genre, to see if I could tease out something new. Working outside the mainstream and with readers directly on Kickstarter gives me the creative freedom to do just that."

Ted Naifeh's Heroines

Heroines tells the tale of Marcy Madison--fresh out of college, blessed with brains, boundless optimism, and a nifty superpower. Marcy's greatest ambition is to make the world a better place. And what better way to do that than become a superhero? But Marcy soon finds the world of superheroes an impenetrable boy's club, mired in pessimism, and more than ready to dismiss her. 

• Determined to blaze her own trail, she sets out to find like-minded heroines,fellow outsiders who want to do things their own way. But if there's one thing more dangerous than fighting evil, it's rocking the boat.

The story of Heroines is currently only half told. The crowdfunding campaign is to raise funds for the second story arc and the manufacturing of the graphic novel. 

(image via Fresh Comics) 

There are a variety of tiers for fans of Naifeh's work in this Kickstarter campaign, including the option for backers to receive signed copies of original #1s of Courtney Crumrin, Princess Ugg, and Heroines as well as cameos in the graphic novels--and even commissions available only for Kickstarter backers.


MORE ABOUT SPACE GOAT PRODUCTIONS:
Created in 2006, Space Goat Productions has 150 years of combined experience producing comic books, tabletop games, video games, commercial art, and concept design. 

They have worked on global brands and produced commercial art with Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Marvel Comics, DC Entertainment, Disney Interactive, Nike, Universal City, Penguin, Capstone, Scholastic, and more. 

Their new tabletop game division, Space Goat Play, launched with the Evil Dead 2, Terminator, and The Howling board games to critical acclaim. 

• For more information please visit spacegoatpublishing.com, merchgoat.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/spacegoatpublishing

(image via Fresh Comics) 

MORE ABOUT TED NAIFEH:
Bursting onto the scene as co-creator/illustrator of goth romance comic Gloomcookie, Ted Naifeh is best known for Courtney Crumrin, the multi-volume horror-fantasy adventures of a tween curmudgeon witch and her warlock uncle. 

In 2014, Ted wrote and illustrated Princess Ugg, the adventure of a barbarian princess going to princess finishing school. 

• Courtney Crumrin has been nominated for several Eisners, and remains a popular mainstay on the shelves of discerning comics shops. 
• Princess Ugg has garnered much praise from the comics community and beyond.

SOURCE: Space Goat Productions

Will Your Dog Eat Your Steak Dinner?

If you tell your dog not to eat the steak, will he obey you?

You throw a perfectly cooked sizzling steak on your dining room table. Then you step away for a bottle of wine. As you head towards the cellar, you pause and look at your dog. You wag your finger and say, "Buster, do not eat this steak!" Buster looks back at you hungrily, eying your juicy hunk of sirloin.

"Buster will make a decision based on what he wants," says Perry Marshall, founder of Natural Code LLC. "And when you leave, he's going to decide whether to obey you or not. However, the situation turns out, he's doing something that no computer can do – which is to want something, then choose whether to take it or not."

This attribute, Marshall insists, is exclusive to living things. Computers don't do it. Rocks and molecules don't either. The aspect of will, which every pet owner and parent is all too familiar with, is what divides living from the nonliving.

Marshall seeks to unravel life's mystery with a $5-million Evolution 2.0 Prize. "If you trace life to its very beginnings, you'll find that information in DNA is the central mystery. It's the original set of choices. Nobody knows how we got from chemicals to code. But we intend to find out."

Marshall's private equity investment group, Natural Code LLC, suspects that the same physical principle that animates life today may have also given rise to the digital instructions in the very first cell.

"If we can solve this, Artificial Intelligence stands to make a giant forward leap. Because for the first time, we might be able to make computers that program themselves, much as living things do," says Marshall.

Evolution 2.0 Prize, funded by Natural Code LLC

• The Evolution 2.0 Prize takes its inspiration from Peter Diamandis and his Ansari X Prize for Space Flight. It was a $10-million challenge which resulted in a successful launch of a reusable manned space capsule into orbit, twice in two weeks.

"We all know that when you talk to Siri or Alexa, there's nobody 'in there.' Everyone knows Siri is just a hunk of silicon. But what if we had a living algorithm? What if your iPhone or computer could do what your dog does? That will transform everything," Marshall says. "It will spawn new billion-dollar industries."

• Details about the Evolution 2.0 Prize are available here. 
• All submissions must be received online.

SOURCE: Natural Code LLC

The Video:

'Trump And The Media – Year One': The New Yorker's Ryan Lizza On A Dizzying Political Year

Ryan Lizza, Washington correspondent for The New Yorker, will be in conversation with Piya Chattopadhyay, host of CBC Radio’s Out in the Open, for the CJF J-Talk in Toronto on December 4. (CNW Group/Canadian Journalism Foundation)

Ryan Lizza, Washington correspondent for The New Yorker, offers his insights on the tumultuous relationship between the Trump administration and the media at The Canadian Journalism Foundation's J-Talk, Trump and the Media – Year 1, on December 4 in Toronto.

Lizza's reporting made headlines this summer when then-White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, a.k.a "The Mooch," made a profane-laden call to him, demanding to know who was leaking information to the press. 

• Lizza will be in a conversation with Piya Chattopadhyay, host of the CBC Radio's Out in the Open.

"Ryan Lizza is on the frontlines of trying to navigate the new realities for journalists covering an unconventional president, in a world in which journalism, commentary and distrust are at the fore," says Chattopadhyay. "I look forward to talking with Ryan about how he cuts through all the noise in his increasingly divided country."

Lizza has covered the last four presidential campaigns, profiled a number of powerful political figures and brings deep understanding to the most unsettling year of a U.S. presidency.

• This event is part of the annual J-Talks series that explores pressing media issues.

WHEN: 

• Monday, December 4
• Doors open: 6:30 p.m. 
• Discussion 7:00 p.m. 
• Reception 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: 

• TMX Broadcast Centre, The Exchange Tower, 130 King St. W., Toronto
• General admission: $25
• Student tickets (ID required. Limited availability): $15
• Buy tickets

Ryan Lizza

About Ryan Lizza:

(via Canadian Journalism Foundation J-Talks)

RYAN LIZZA is the Washington correspondent for The New Yorker, and also an on-air contributor for CNN. Before joining the magazine, in 2007, he was a political correspondent for The New Republic, from 1998 to 2007, and, before that, a correspondent for GQ and a contributing editor at New York. 

He has also written for the New York Times, Washington Monthly, and The Atlantic Monthly. 

• Since 1998, he has covered most of the country’s major political stories, including the last four Presidential campaigns, and has written many political profiles for The New Yorker. 

His awards include the 2012 National Press Club's Hood Award for Diplomatic Correspondence, for his article “The Consequentialist,” and the White House Correspondents' Association’s Aldo Beckman Memorial Award, for a series on Obama’s Presidency and reelection campaign. 

His article “Making It” was a 2009 National Magazine Award finalist, and his 2010 article “As the World Burns” received honorable mentions from the Toner Prize for Excellence in Political Reporting and the National Press Foundation Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress.

Piya Chattopadhyay

About Piya Chattopadhyay:
(via Canadian Journalism Foundation J-Talks)

PIYA CHATTOPADHYAY is the host of CBC Radio's OUT IN THE OPEN, an adventurous and wide-ranging weekly one-hour program about the nitty-gritty of real life. Each week, Chattopadhyay and her team look at how one big topic is affecting regular people, and invite listeners to join the conversation. 

Prior to that, Chattopadhyay worked as a guest host for TVO's The Agenda. Additionally, she spent more than a decade in the field as a news reporter here in Canada, and was often on the road, reporting from abroad on numerous assignments for CBC. 

• She has reported from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, India, the U.K. and France, to name but a few. 

In 2007, Chattopadhyay decided to take on a new adventure and moved to Jerusalem where she first freelanced for CBC, PRI and the BBC, before taking on the role of Middle East Correspondent for Fox News Radio. 

• During her three years in the region, she travelled to numerous countries, covering stories ranging from war and conflict, peace and politics, to coping and everyday life.

SOURCE: Canadian Journalism Foundation

The Jim Henson Company to Develop Kids Series Based on IAmElemental's Realistic Female Superhero Role Models

IAmElemental's Series 1/Courage and Series 2/Wisdom figures

The Jim Henson Company announced today it will develop a new animated children's television series based on the popular female action figures by IAmElemental. The series will target children ages 6 to 12. 

The deal will give The Jim Henson Company the opportunity to develop and produce the television series across all platforms. Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford of The Jim Henson Company will serve as executive producers.

IAmElemental created the first-ever female action figures designed specifically for children. Its Series 1/Courage figures (modeled on Joan of Arc,) include Bravery, Honesty, Fear, Enthusiasm, Energy, Industry and Persistence. Series 2/Wisdom (with ancient Alexandrian STEM pioneer Hypatia as the muse,) includes Creativity, Ingenuity, Curiosity, Logic, Exploration, Mastery and Oblivion.

The company conducted a Kickstarter campaign which was fully funded in two days, drawing backers from all 50 states and six continents, and its groundbreaking products were named by TIME Magazine as one of the "25 Best Inventions of 2014" and "Top 10 Toys of 2014." 

Most recently, IAmElemental was selected as a finalist in the 2018 "Action Figure of the Year" category at the Toy Industry Association's Toy of the Year Awards. The company was also a 2017 finalist in two categories, "Action Figure of the Year" and "Rookie of the Year."

The Toy Industry Association has announced its 2018 Toy of the Year finalists – and IAmElemental has been selected in the Action Figure of the Year category for its Series 2/Wisdom figures.

"At The Jim Henson Company, we have a tradition of creating strong female heroes in our past and current television and film franchises," said Halle Stanford, President of Television at The Jim Henson Company. "Partnering with IAmElemental is incredibly exciting because it will be our first foray into the superhero genre with a cast of powerful young women at its core. We are excited to introduce a unique and fresh superhero television series geared for children all over the world."

"We are thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to work with the Superhero team at The Jim Henson Company," said Julie Kerwin, Chief Elemental Officer, IAmElemental. "Their Superpowers of creativity and originality have inspired me both as a child and as an adult, and I couldn't wish for a better partner to bring the IAmElemental messages of character strength and empowerment to a wider audience."

Julie Kerwin

• IAmElemental's female action figures are available online and in retail stores worldwide. "If you give a girl a different toy, she will tell a different story"; "Play with power"; "It's character, not characters"; "Shared, everyone's powers grow stronger"; and "We have Superpowers. Want some?" are trademarks of IAmElemental. 

About The Jim Henson Company:
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 60 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. 

Best known as creators of the world-famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. 

• Recent credits include Julie's Greenroom (Netflix), Dot. (Sprout/Hulu), Splash and Bubbles (PBS), Word Party (Netflix), Doozers (Hulu/ Sprout), and the Emmy-nominated Sid the Science Kid (PBS), Dinosaur Train (PBS), and Pajanimals (Sprout). 
• Television productions include Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller and the sci-fi cult series Farscape. 
• Features include Disney's Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, as well as The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, MirrorMask, and Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow. 
• The Company is currently in production on the feature The Happytime Murders, starring Melissa McCarthy, and the upcoming Netflix original series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. 
• Projects in development include the highly anticipated film Fraggle Rock.
• The Company's Henson Alternative brand is currently touring Puppet-Up! – Uncensored, a live puppet improvisational show. 

SOURCE: The Jim Henson Company

Bonus Videos:

Terracotta Warrior Flashmob Event Held at World Travel Market London

Terracotta Warriors-Themed Pop-Up Event Held at World Travel Market London

On November 6, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., a Terracotta Warrior Flashmob event organized by the Shaanxi Provincial Tourism Development Commission was held at the World Travel Market London. 50 professional performers dressed up as the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang, imperial concubines and terracotta warriors performed terracotta warrior flashmob at ExCel London. 

The graceful performances of Chinese court dances, most notably the lead performer's Dance of Qin Wang Dian Bing (Review of the Troops by Emperor Qin Shi Huang), attracted a large number of visitors, many of whom cheered enthusiastically and waited until the end of the performance to take selfies with the dancers.

An event, a cultural feast
The Terracotta Warriors Flashmob event is an innovative approach to raising the awareness around the world to the many unique aspects of Chinese culture and history. The successful hosting of the event helped further promote the profound cultural history that is identified with Shaanxi province and the unique tourism resources that are made available as a result of the province's rich history. 

• The event is an important step in transforming the province into a world-renowned tourism destination.

"It is amazing!" said David, a British tourist. "This is the first time I have watched traditional Chinese performances. I found the event highly interesting, as it not only offered us a chance to get a better understanding of the Terracotta Warriors, but also let us feel the depth and sophistication of Chinese culture. Now that I have seen the performance, I plan to visit the real Terracotta Army in Shaanxi province with my family."

Terracotta Warriors-Themed Pop-Up Event Held at World Travel Market London

A series of follow-up flashmob events
The commission has planned several more Terracotta Warriors Flashmob events on November 7 at and near many of London's famous tourist attractions, with scheduled performance at a Square near Big Ben and the London Eye, two of the city's most renowned tourist attractions. 

• On the same day, the cosers will also stop at several other landmark destinations including Big Ben, China Town, St Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower of London for staged photography sessions.

• For more information about the tourism industry in Shaanxi, follow the Shaanxi Provincial Tourism Development Commission on Facebook and Twitter or visit the official website.

SOURCE: Shaanxi Provincial Tourism Development Commission

The Videos:

Entertainment One's Daddy Pig Joins Movember Fundraising Campaign

Daddy Pig joins this year’s Movember campaign to encourage UK dads to grow moustaches, get active and raise funds together as a team of ‘expert’ daddies (PRNewsfoto/Entertainment One)

Entertainment One (eOne) unveils images of Daddy Pig, the much loved character from preschool TV series Peppa Pig, who is supporting this year's Movember campaign for the first time to raise funds for the global men's health charity throughout November 2017.

Daddy Pig and friends will be growing their moustaches and encouraging dads across the UK to get active and stay healthy. 

• To donate and keep up to date with Daddy Pig's progress, visit: mobro.co/daddypiguk. 
• Fundraisers are also being encouraged to join Daddy Pig's team to grow moustaches, get active and raise funds together as a team of 'expert' daddies. 
• Sign up at: moteam.co/team-daddy-pig-uk .

The Movember Foundation's annual Movember campaign is globally recognised for its fun, disruptive approach to fundraising and getting men to take action for their health. This year, the charity celebrates its 10 year fundraising anniversary in the UK.

Health and fitness ‘expert’ Daddy Pig is joining in this Movember! 

About the Movember Foundation:  

The Movember Foundation is a global men's health charity.

The Foundation raises funds to deliver innovative, breakthrough research and support programmes that enable men to live happier, healthier and longer lives. Committed to disrupting the status quo, millions have joined the movement, helping fund over 1,200 projects focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer and suicide prevention.

In addition to tackling key health issues faced by men, the Foundation is working to encourage men to stay healthy in all areas of their life, with a focus on men staying socially connected and becoming more open to discussing their health and significant moments in their lives.

• The Foundation's vision is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men's health.

SOURCE: Entertainment One

Bonus Videos:

Alzheimer's Association Honors the Life and Legacy of Gene Wilder With New Campaign Inspired by the Classic Film "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory"

Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

In honor of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, the Alzheimer's Association today unveils the Pure Imagination Project, a campaign encouraging people to learn more about the disease and join the efforts to fulfill the organization's vision of a world without Alzheimer's. 

Reflecting the creativity and charm of Willy Wonka, as played by legendary actor Gene Wilder, the new video features the famous "Pure Imagination" scene from "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," but reinterprets the magical, candy-filled world with sweets disappearing piece by piece, much like the impact that Alzheimer's has on 5 million Americans across the country.

• Gene Wilder, known for many iconic roles outside of Willy Wonka's purple coat, passed away from complications of Alzheimer's last year.

"Alzheimer's disease is a brutal and unforgiving enemy that can rob a person of his self-expression, the ability to walk, to read, to write and to find joy in the world. Simply, the person loses himself," said Karen B. Wilder. "When I saw this campaign, I knew that it brilliantly and beautifully captured all that Alzheimer's can take away, and my hope is that it will motivate people to learn more and to seek to change the course of this disease for future generations."

The Pure Imagination Project was developed pro bono by a creative team at MullenLowe's Winston-Salem office, all of whose families have been touched by Alzheimer's disease. 

• The campaign encourages all to lend their imagination to the fight and support efforts aimed at ending this devastating disease.

In addition to MullenLowe, the Alzheimer's Association's Pure Imagination Project is also made possible thanks to the support of the Gene Wilder estate, Warner Brothers and Universal Music, with visual effects by Significant Others, all recognizing the urgency of this mission and honoring Wilder for his fight against the disease.

"The Alzheimer's Association is honored to have the opportunity to reimagine this legendary film scene in such a powerful and poignant way," said Michael Carson, chief marketing officer at the Alzheimer's Association. "The Alzheimer's Association is relentless in our fight to end this disease through our support of innovative and novel research initiatives, and unwavering support of families who have been affected. This campaign is an inspiring reminder that there is a lot of work to be done, but a world without Alzheimer's is possible if we join together."

"Having lost my father to Alzheimer's, and my mother a year later from the toll of being his caregiver, I know firsthand there is no sugar-coating the impact of this disease," said David Olsen, group creative director at MullenLowe Winston-Salem. "Just as Gene inspired millions to believe anything is possible with the power of pure imagination, we hope this work will inspire others to help fulfill the Alzheimer's Association's mission to imagine a world without Alzheimer's."

The Pure Imagination Project will encourage people to imagine a world without Alzheimer's with additional support from in-kind media partners, including Amobee, Dstillery and Samba TV.

SOURCE: Alzheimer's Association

The Video: