Nigerian scam.

Nigerian scam using my name.

If you receive the below from "me" - do not send money, it's a well-documented "Nigerian" fraud scam. I have been locked out of this account (awintertale@gmail.com), and cannot do anything to stop it. I have reported it to the police, and written to google, but they haven't responded yet. I apologise to everyone on my mail list.

Here are links to other "victims" of the scam:
http://groups.google.com.sb/group/Gmail-Problem-solving/browse_thread/thread/0a6a4e4bf2a639e3/ed7630ce36acca23?#ed7630ce36acca23
http://taxiplasm.net/2007/10/13/my-gmail-was-hacked/
http://gmailhijacking.wordpress.com/2007/10/22/gmail-account-hacked-into-and-hijacked-google-refuses-help-with-this/
http://groups.google.com/group/Gmail-Problem-solving/browse_thread/thread/2acd04c3c3bf3bb1

The letter:

EMERGENCY!!! (I NEED YOUR URGENT HELP)

Hello,

How are you doing today? I am sorry i didn't inform you about my traveling to Africa for a program called "Empowering Youth to Fight Racism, HIV/AIDS, Poverty and Lack of Education, the program is taking place in three major countries in Africa which is Ghana , South Africa and Nigeria . It has been a very sad and bad moment for me, the present condition that i found myself is very hard for me to explain.

I am really stranded in Nigeria because I forgot my little bag in the Taxi where my money, passport, documents and other valuable things were kept on my way to the Hotel am staying, I am facing a hard time here because i have no money on me. I am now owning a hotel bill of $1,600 and they wanted me to pay the bill soon or else they will have to seize my bag and hand me over to the Hotel Management., I need this help from you urgently to help me back home, I need you to help me with the hotel bill and i will also need $1,800 to feed and help myself back home so please can you help me with a sum of $3,400 to sort out my problems here? I need this help so much and on time because i am in a terrible and tight situation here, I don't even have money to feed myself for a day which means i had been starving, so please understand how urgent i needed your help.

I am sending you this e-mail from the city Library, I will appreciate what so ever you can afford to send me for now and I promise to pay back your money as soon as i return home. So please use the details of the hotel manager below to transfer the money to me through Western Union money transfer because that is the only way i could be able to get it fast and leave because i need an id to pick up the money through western union. This is the information below....

Name: David Brooks
Address: 16 Johson Street
City : Victoria Island
State : Lagos
Country : Nigeria
Zip Code : 23401
Text question: To who
Answer: Frances

After you have send the money, email to me the western union money transfer control number or you can attach and forward to me the western union money transfer receipt so that i can pick up the money and leave.

Hope to hear from you soon. Although, the embassy here have promised to give me a covering travelling papers that i will need to have my way back home, all i need right now is the money to settle up the bills and leave.

Love - best wishes
Frances-Anne
Frances-Anne Solomon
Leda Serene Films & CaribbeanTales
99 Gore Vale Avenue
Toronto, Ontario

MOVIE NIGHT @ THE TRANE STUDIO

Please come to MOVIE NIGHT at the TRANE - and see WHAT MY MOTHER TOLD ME, as well as previews of two more of our stunning HEART BEAT DOCS.

HEART BEAT begins airing weekly on BRAVO! from November 27th @ 7pm.

On Monday 26th Novemember, the Trane Studio has invited me to present a special screening of my controversial award-winning film What My Mother Told Me.

"Exquisitely beautiful and profoundly moving, WHAT MY MOTHER TOLD ME is the story of Jesse, a young woman from England, who goes to Trinidad to bury her father. Reluctantly she agrees to meet her mother, whom she thought had abandoned her when she was a child. Her mother tells her stories, revealing a troubled and violent past."

WHAT MY MOTHER TOLD ME premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 1996 and was a Toronto Star Best of Festival. It's won awards at: The Festival of Black International Cinema, Berlin - Best Film Depicting The Black Experience, Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival - HBO Best Feature, and Through Her Eyes Women of Color Film Festival - Producer's Choice Award ... among others.

ALSO SCREENING: two more documentaries from our hugely popular Heart Beat Series, that will have it's worldwide television premiere on Bravo! on November 27th at 7pm.

KOBO TOWN: STORYTELLING
directed by Safiya Randera

and

SAIDA BABA TALIBAH:
STEPPING OUT
directed by Mars Horodyski.

I'm hoping that Safiya and Mars may come along to talk about their work.

What an incredible evening! Don't miss it...

CaribbeanTales and Leda Serene Films are proud to present...
Heart Beat
in association with Bravo! and Gayelle The Channel (Trinidad)

"We all have a heart, which is a drum, beating the rhythm of life..."
Muhtadi, Master Drummer.

Heart Beat is a 13 x 1/2hr documentary series that profiles Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada's most dynamic musical creators.

Thirteen beautifully crafted point -of-view documentaries profiling artists like: Master drummer Muhtadi, World-beat band Kobo Town, Juno award-winning trumpeter Nick "Brownman" Ali, MOJAH, steel pannist and cultural activist Ian Jones, Cuban singer/songwriter Alex Cuba and Canada's still unbeaten Calypso Queen Macomere Fifi, to name but a few.The series is created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Andrea Stewart, Justin Lovell, Mars Horodyski, and Alberto Suarez.

Leonie Forbes & Peter Williams to be recognised in New York

Leonie Forbes to be honored by Consulate General of Jamaica in New York

Toronto – November 7, 2007

Actor and Broadcaster Leonie Forbes will be honored at a special reception being hosted by the Jamaican Consulate General in New York on Tuesday November 20, 2007, to recognize her work as a film artist who has achieved success in the Jamaican and international industries.

Also being recognized at the event will be Jamaican-Canadian film and television star Peter Williams.

Both actors will be in New York to attend the reception and screening of their award-winning feature film, A Winter Tale, which will have its US premiere as the Opening Night Gala at the New York African Diaspora Film Festival on November 23rd.

Known as Jamaica’s First Lady of Theatre and Film, Leonie Forbes began her career training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

Her talent, drive, and dynamism established her as one of the Caribbean's most respected artists. She has received many awards including: the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government; the silver and bronze Musgrave (top awards of the arts, culture and science in Jamaica); and the Institute of Jamaica's Centenary Medal. Forbes graced the silver screen in major Hollywood pictures, performed in dozens of theatrical productions, and has worked as a radio broadcaster and programmer in Jamaica. Her selected credits include: Old Story Time, Arawak Gold, Champagne and Sky Juice, and Smile Orange. Her film and television credits include: Shattered Image, Milk and Honey, Passion and Paradise, What My Mother Told Me, and Children of Babylon.

In 2003 Forbes starred in the ground-breaking Caribbean-Canadian sitcom Lord Have Mercy for which she was nominated for a Gemini Award - Canada's equivalent of the Emmys - in the category of Best Actress in a Comedy or Drama.

Forbes’ latest role is in Frances-Anne Solomon's powerful award-winning feature A Winter Tale, which has been selected to open the 15th African Diaspora Film Festival in Manhattan in November.

1995 Genie Nominee Peter Williams who stars in the film alongside Ms. Forbes, is one of Canada's finest actors. Williams has built his impressive career acting in Canadian films such as "Soul Survivor", directed by his brother acclaimed Hollywood director Steven Williams, and "Love Come Down" directed by Clement Virgo, as well as many Hollywood film & television programs like "The Chronicles Of Riddick" and "Stargate SG-1".

A Winter Tale tells the emotional story of a Black men's support group that begins to meet at a local Caribbean Takeaway restaurant after the shooting death of a young child. It features a talented ensemble cast, including Forbes and Williams, and took home the Outstanding Canadian Feature Film Award at the prestigious ReelWorld Film Festival, as well as Best Feature at the Trinidad Film Festival, among several other awards.

A Winter Tale will have its Gala premiere at the ADFF on November 23rd, with additional screenings on November 25th and Dec 1st.

Heart Beat Launch

The "Heart beat" Launch, October 30th 2007 was a great success!. Thanks to you all for coming and packing out the place.

Please visit this link for some photos from last night’s event. Heart Beat begins airing on Bravo on November 27th at 7pm.

Too bad we only had time to screen two of the docs - though very well received. But on Monday 26th November, The Trane has invited me to screen my film What My Mother Told Me, and we plan to show at least one if not more of the Heart Beat docs then. We'll let you know which one(s) closer to the time.

Photo: Good thing someone had the sense to take decent pics that evening, as though I'm here with a camera, I had my hands full. Here are JoJo and Fergus of the Satallites on either side of Brownman, moi in the middle, Alberto Suarez (director of "The Life and Times of Brown") and Drew Gonzalves from the band Kobo Town.

"Heart Beat" is a 13 x 1/2hr documentary series that profiles Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada's most dynamic musical creators.

Thirteen beautifully crafted point -of-view documentaries profiling artists like: Master drummer Muhtadi, World-beat band Kobo Town, Juno award-winning trumpeter Nick "Brownman" Ali, MOJAH, steel pannist and cultural activist Ian Jones, Cuban singer/songwriter Alex Cuba and Canada's still unbeaten Calypso Queen Macomere Fifi, to name but a few.

The series is created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Andrea Stewart, Justin Lovell, Mars Horodyski, and Alberto Suarez.

Caribbean Tales and Leda Serene Films are proud to present...
"Heart Beat"
in association with Bravo! and Gayelle The Channel (Trinidad)

"We all have a heart, which is a drum, beating the rhythm of life..."
Muhtadi, Master Drummer.

Invitation to the Launch of Heart Beat

My dear Friends,
Please join me to celebrate the Launch of our new documentary series "HEART BEAT"

@ Trane Studio, 964 Bathurst Street,
October 30th @ 6pm.
Please RSVP by return

The evening's program will feature a Sneak Peak at some of the episodes
plus special performances by -

Master Drummer MUHTADI & Friends,
DREW GONSALVES of Kaiso Band KOBO TOWN,
& the incomparable BROWNMAN & his ELECTRYC TRIO.

Admission: Free.
Cash bar.

Bring a friend! Spread the word...
See you there,
Frances-Anne

****************************************

"Heart Beat" is a 13 x 1/2hr documentary series that profiles Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada's most dynamic musical creators.

Thirteen beautifully crafted point -of-view documentaries profiling artists like: Master drummer Muhtadi, World-beat band Kobo Town, Juno award-winning trumpeter Nick "Brownman" Ali, MOJAH, steel pannist and cultural activist Ian Jones, Cuban singer/songwriter Alex Cuba and Canada's still unbeaten Calypso Queen Macomere Fifi, to name but a few.

The series is created and produced by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Andrea Stewart, Justin Lovell, Mars Horodyski, and Alberto Suarez.

Caribbean Tales and Leda Serene Films are proud to present...
"Heart Beat"
in association with Bravo! and Gayelle The Channel (Trinidad)

"We all have a heart, which is a drum, beating the rhythm of life..."
Muhtadi, Master Drummer.

A Winter Tale: TALK IT OUT in Scarborough

In July, we launched TALK IT OUT, our nationwide anti-violence tour of A Winter Tale. This project uses the film as a tool for community engagement. We invited communities across Canada to work with us to set up screenings of the film, followed by discussions of the issues raised.

I am now delighted to announce our first community-sponsored TALK IT OUT, organised by Ginelle Skerrit (in photo, left), Executive Director of Warden Woods Community Center, and funded by Warden Woods Community Centre, Malvern Family Resource Centre, Tropicana Community Services, Youthlink, West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Services, East Metro Youth Services, Rosalie Hall, Agincourt Community Services, Second Base Youth Shelter, and East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club.

The event is for youth and families in Scarborough and will take place on Monday 29th October from 6-9.30pm, at Eglinton Town Centre Cineplex.

There will be a reception and then the screening/discussion will follow.

Ginelle Skerrit said: "All of the youth workers (who saw the movie) thought it was an important film and are excited about the opportunities it creates to dialogue on the issues. They found the film was REAL".

Stay tuned for future screenings in the following areas: Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, York University/Jane Finch, and Downtown Toronto.


In other newz: Here are some of the online reviews - more to follow - from my September festivals tour. I visited Montreal, Halifax, Trinidad and Bradford, UK. (The photo above was taken after our Closing Night screening in Bradford) The experience of sharing the film with different audiences was great and I'm sure many good things will flow from it. I'd like to thank: Pat Dhillon and Nadine Dominique in Montreal; Sylvia Hamilton, Juanita Peters, Fil Fraser and Lou Gannon in Halifax; Bruce Paddington, Annabelle Alcazar, and Marina Salandy-Brown in Trinidad, and Addy Rudder & everyone in Bradford, for making this an exceptional time for me.

Our next stop is New York City where we will be opening the 15th African Diaspora Film Festival on November 23rd.

Gayelle the Channel's CEO Chris Laird crashes the morning show "Cockadoodaldoo", to talk about A Winter Tale..

Frances-Anne interviewed for Global Voices by Janine Mendez Franco

A Winter Tale in Caribbean Beat Magazine by Donna Yawching

A Wnter Tale reviewed at Now Is Wow multimedia artist Elspeth Duncan's blog

Vaps: Another Trini blog comments on A Winter Tale.

Francomenz Janine Mendes-Franco's blog

Hardbeatnews

Enjoy! And talk soon.
FA

Heart Beat...

CaribbeanTales presents Heart Beat, an exciting new Canadian-Caribbean musician profile series, coming to Bravo!

Toronto – October 4, 2007

Music fans will gain a deeper appreciation for the sounds of the Caribbean this November, with the launch of Heart Beat - a unique 13-episode documentary series which showcases Canadian-Caribbean musicians and explores the hearts, minds and worlds of some of Canada’s most dynamic musical creators. Heart Beat will premiere on Bravo! on Tuesday, November 27 at 7 p.m.

The series is created and produced by award winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon and directed with panache and passion by Lana Lovell, Safiya Randera, Paul Nguyen, Justin Lovell, Alberto Suarez and Mars Horodyski.

Each half-hour episode tells the story of a different Caribbean performer, and explores the depth of their artistry. Featured artists include Master Drummer Muhtadi, Kaiso band Kobo Town, Jazz trumpeter Nick “Brownman” Ali, and many many more.

The official Heart Beat series launch event will take place on Tuesday, October 30 at the Trane Studio, when guests will be treated to live musical performances, as well as an advance screening of a couple of episodes from Heart Beat.

EP 1 : Muhtadi:
‘Muhtadi’ profiles one of Canada’s premier percussionists. A celebrity in his own right, Master Drummer Muhtadi plays djembe, bongos, congas, timbales, steel pan, has been performing professionally for over 30 years, and is the force behind the Muhtadi International Drumming festival, now in its 7th year. He has worked with a host of renowned performers, including Mary Wilson from The Supremes. Each year Muhtadi returns to Trinidad and Tobago for Carnival to perform with the world famous Desperadoes Steel Orchestra.

EP 2: Kobo Town:
Singer/songwriter Drew Gonsalves and the members of Kobo Town are one of Toronto’s most exciting contemporary calypso bands. In ‘Storytelling’, these talented musicians invite us into the dazzling world of wordplay and images that define calypso tradition and Trinidadian culture, reflecting on their ten-year musical journey to Kobo Town and sharing the musical styles and legends that continue to shape it.

Creator & Producer Frances-Anne Solomon is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and producer whose recent credits include the feature film A Winter Tale (2007), documentary series Literature Alive (2005-6), and the sitcom Lord Have Mercy! (VisionTV, 2003). She is the president and artistic director of the two companies she founded: Leda Serene Films and CaribbeanTales, and has also worked as a radio, film and television drama producer for the BBC.

Leda Serene Films is a film, television and new media production company that has produced an impressive range of award-winning programs—from feature films to more innovative multi-media projects—and has made its name as a producer of high-quality dramas and documentaries that celebrate diversity- strong personal stories from different cultural perspectives in the global diaspora.

CaribbeanTales is a not-for-profit multimedia company committed to producing educational films, videos, and new media projects that celebrate the rich tradition of Caribbean-heritage storytelling, using any and all types of media and state of the art technology. Projects include Literature Alive, a multi-facetted multimedia project including documentaries audio books, and an educational website about Caribbean-Canadian authors, and our Annual CaribbeanTales Film festival.