E. Morris Communications' Documentary 'Will to Survive' Selected by International Black Film Festival in Berlin, Germany

E. Morris Communications' Documentary 'Will to Survive' Selected by International Black Film Festival in Berlin, Germany

Wal-Mart Sponsored Film Featuring Gullah/Geechee Culture Marks First International Cinematographic Effort for Ad Agency

CHICAGO, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Considered one of the most authentically African societies in America, the Gullah/Geechee Nation is being profiled in an educational documentary that's gaining popularity on the film festival circuit. Produced by Chicago-based advertising agency E. Morris Communications (EMC) and sponsored by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., The Will to Survive - The Story of the Gullah/Geechee Nation has been accepted by the 2006 International Black Film Festival, which will screen the work in Berlin, Germany (May 4-10) and St. Louis, Missouri (April 22 - 24).

The documentary sheds an important light on the Gullah/Geechee Nation, African-Americans who can trace their lineage to the enslaved Africans brought to North America's southeast coast. They have remained in isolation for more than 200 years, living in small communities along the barrier islands/eastern coast of the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. USA Today recently named the Gullah/Geechee "one of the five remarkable cultural wonders of the world you should visit before it vanishes."

The Will to Survive focuses on life in tiny Sapelo Island, Georgia, where EMC's production team documented the distinctive languages and lifestyle of the Gullah/Geechee for nearly two years. The resulting, feature-length work debuted in national syndication in February on TV One. "This is the compelling story of a people struggling to preserve their West African-rooted culture, and their land," said Kathleen Humphries, one of EMC's executive producers for the film. "We are honored to be a part of this production, and appreciative to Wal-Mart for recognizing the importance of both subjects, not only to African Americans, but to all Americans," stated Al Hawkins another executive producer for Will to Survive. It airs again on TV One Sunday, April 16; and Saturday, April 22. (Check local listings for time.)

The film is the centerpiece of a fully integrated educational program EMC created for Wal-Mart, which includes a free curriculum kit about the Gullah/Geechee available online for educators. Aimed at students in grades 7-12, The Will to Survive kit includes classroom activities for youth viewing the documentary on TV One.

The film's acceptance to the International Black Film Festival comes on the heels of a highly successful series of multi-city launch events with Wal-Mart. In addition to viewing the film, guests enjoyed authentic Gullah/Geechee Cuisine and participated in panel discussions with notable Gullah/Geechee descendants such as: Cornelia Bailey, historian; Jonathan Green, noted artist; and Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, all of whom appear in the documentary. The events were held in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and other cities across the country.

"We are delighted to present this documentary as part of our Voices of Color program and give 'voice' to broader and more positive depiction of the African-American images, via wide range, quality programming for the whole family," said John Fleming, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Wal-Mart Stores Division.

Wal-Mart also will present The Will to Survive at the American Black Film Festival in Miami (July 19 - 23), for a celebrity-filled audience of industry influencers. But for the agency, an opportunity to showcase the film in Berlin marks an important debut on the international arts scene.

The Will to Survive is the second notable documentary that EMC has produced examining a little-known aspect of black life. In 2005, Wal-Mart and EMC brought the untold story of the Buffalo Soldiers to life. A movie screening in Houston, TX -- home of the Buffalo Soldiers Museum -- a website with a soldiers' registry and a curriculum kit were developed to educate the public about these fearless men who fought six "colored" army regiments in WWI and II.

E. Morris Communications, Inc. is a full service agency that provides integrated marketing communications services to multicultural markets, with emphasis on the African American consumer segment. The 18-year old agency has a client roster that includes Wal-Mart, Tyson Foods, American Family Insurance and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Source: E. Morris Communications, Inc.

CONTACT: Jetta Bates of E. Morris Communications, Inc., +1-312-943-7675
(office), +1-312-752-0456 (cell)

Web site: http://www.emorris.com/

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