Justin B Smith, 28, is a U.S. Air Force Veteran. He grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland but presently resides in Baltimore.Justin is a Gay Activist. Since 1999 he has worked with various gay organizations including the National Black Justice Coalition, Human Rights Campaign, Equality Maryland, Us Helping Us, and People Into Living Incorporated.
Justin is currently enrolled in school pursuing his degree in Communications and Journalism.
New York (NOVEMBER, 2007) – Emerging filmmaker Kirk Shannon-Butts has been named one of OUT magazine’s OUT100 for 2007. OUT magazine is the world’s leading gay and lesbian publication. Each year OUT magazine selects 100 people from around the globe in all fields and walks of life who have made considerable contributions to gay and lesbian culture. Shannon-Butts was selected for his groundbreaking debut feature film “Blueprint.”
| UPCOMING SCREENINGS: 15th Annual African Diapora Film Festival Friday, Nov 30th @ 7:45PM Film Anthology 32 2nd Avenue NYC http://www.nyadff. org |
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Emerging Filmmaker Kirk Shannon-Butts Makes the Cut
New York (NOVEMBER, 2007) – Emerging filmmaker Kirk Shannon-Butts has been named one of OUT magazine’s OUT100 for 2007. OUT magazine is the world’s leading gay and lesbian publication.
Each year OUT magazine selects 100 people from around the globe in all fields and walks of life who have made considerable contributions to gay and lesbian culture. Shannon-Butts was selected for his groundbreaking debut feature film “Blueprint.”
Debuting onto the international film festival circuit in London in 2007, “Blueprint” has gone on to screen at NewFest, Outfest, Hollywood Black Film Festival and was nominated for “Best First Film” by Frameline and “Best Film Not Playing in a Theater Near You” by IFP. Requests for screeners of “Blueprint” have come from all over the globe -- India, Hong Kong, Brazil, Spain, Italy, France, South Africa, Dubai, Germany, New Zealand, Philippines and the list grows daily. 
An urban valentine, “Blueprint” is the story of college students Keith (Blake Young-Fountain) and Nathan (Damion Lee), two urbanites searching for something in their worlds. Michael Fox of KQED says, “’Blueprint’ is a wonderful debut film. . .delicate and rarefied.”
ON Magazine’s Peter Canavese declares, “Shannon-Butts’ make a good case to be the Spike Lee for GLBT cinema.” Frameline states, “”Blueprint” is a bold new direction in queer and African American cinema.” Reel Affirmations proclaims “Kirk is definitely a director to watch.”
Kirk Shannon-Butts is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Film & Television Production from Chapman University’s Cecil B. DeMille’s School of Film & Television. In 2004 Shannon-Butts received a prestigious Jerome Foundation grant in support of “Blueprint.”
“I just want to make good films, present other stories and discover new talent like Damion and Blake,” says Shannon-Butts. “Most the great directors working today in or outside of Hollywood started out with a little independent film that stood out from the pack. ‘Blueprint’ is that for me.” “Blueprint” continues on the international film festival circuit as Shannon-Butts prepares for a theatrical release in 2008.
UPCOMING SCREENINGS:
15th Annual African Diapora Film Festival
Friday, Nov 30th @ 7:45PM
Film Anthology
32 2nd Avenue
NYC
http://www.nyadff. org