HBO and Bright House Networks to Co-Host Florida Premiere of HBO Family Documentary 'BLINDSIDED,' on Thursday, September 25, at Lake Highland Preparatory School

HBO and Bright House Networks to Co-Host Florida Premiere of HBO Family Documentary 'BLINDSIDED,' on Thursday, September 25, at Lake Highland Preparatory School

Film's Director and Orlando Native, Talia Osteen, and Jared Hara, Subject of the Film, Scheduled to Attend Invitation-Only Premiere

"BLINDSIDED," Which Tells the Story of a Family Thrown Into Turmoil By a Child's Genetic Disease, Debuts October 10 on HBO

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- HBO and Bright House Networks will co-host the Florida premiere of the HBO Family Documentary BLINDSIDED on September 25, at an invitation-only screening at Lake Highland Preparatory School's Harriett Coleman Center for the Arts. Director and Orlando native Talia Osteen is scheduled to attend, along with Jared Hara, the subject of the film, and HBO Family VP, Dolores Morris. Jared is currently a senior at Lake Highland Preparatory School.

BLINDSIDED was selected as the winner of the Best Documentary category at the Idaho International Film Festival and at the Spudfest Family Film and Music Festival, where it also won an Audience Award and it was an Official Selection at the Palm Beach International Film Festival and at the LaFemme Film Festival.

For much of Jared's early life, he was only blindsided by things like a pop quiz or a tricky pass on the hockey rink. Then, when he was 11, Jared and his family learned he had a rare genetic disease that would soon leave him blind forever.

Directed by first-time filmmaker Talia Osteen, the HBO Family documentary BLINDSIDED tells the story of a devoted Orlando-area family thrown into turmoil by a child's eye disease, revealing how Jared's condition threatened to tear them apart, and how his indomitable spirit ultimately brought them closer together. The exclusive presentation debuts FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 (7:15- 8:15 p.m. ET/PT), on HBO.

BLINDSIDED is the story of a family forced to face the truth about themselves during their darkest hour. It's the story of a father who must confront his own limitations; a mother who must live with the reality that she's passed on a disease to her son and possibly her daughter; a daughter who must live with that knowledge; and a friendship that helped Jared find the courage to face an uncertain future with stubborn resolve and an unbreakable spirit.

After the Florida premiere on September 25th Jared will demonstrate his natural gift with the guitar as he joins his rock band Sound Cannon for a brief performance in the Black Box Theatre at Lake Highland Preparatory School.

BLINDSIDED director Talia Osteen, a graduate of University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television Production, received her start in entertainment as an actor at age 10 and has since starred in five national television series and acted in a number of independent films. Passionate about using film and television as artistic means of telling impactful stories, Osteen was very excited to direct BLINDSIDED, her feature documentary directorial debut. She is inspired by Jared's story and hopes the film will do the same for its viewers. Currently, Osteen resides in New York City, where she works as Creative Executive for Blueprint Films.

Producer and co-editor David Coleman, a Chicago native, has worked in the entertainment industry for more than 10 years and has worked for some of Hollywood's top production studios, as well as numerous video, commercial, and theatrical productions. He is currently developing a talk show for teens and "Music Magic" -- a documentary on how one special teacher uses music to change the lives of his autistic and Down syndrome students and the communities they live in. Coleman continues to lead the marketing, distribution, education and outreach efforts for BLINDSIDED.

BLINDSIDED was directed by Talia Osteen; produced by David Coleman; director of photography, Mark Moormann; editors, Oliver Peters and David Coleman.

Source: HBO

CONTACT: Carmen Argamasilla, HBO, +1-305-446-6695, +1-305-491-3051,
carmen@redfoxpr.com; Sara Brady, Bright House Networks Vice President, Public
Affairs, +1-407-215-5915, Sara.Brady@mybrighthouse.com

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: http://www.homeboxoffice.com

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