Academy Awards Contender, PUNCTURED HOPE, is Screening in Los Angeles

Toronto Pictures announced today that its Oscar entry, PUNCTURED HOPE, will be screening in Los Angeles at the Encino Laemmle Theater - Town Center 5 between November 13 to 19.

PUNCTURED HOPE - A story About Trokosi and Young Girls’ Slavery in Today’s West Africa is Toronto Pictures’ official entry for nomination consideration for best feature film at the 82nd annual Academy Awards. Written, directed and produced by Bruno Pischiutta and produced by Daria Trifu, the film is inspired by the true story of an irrepressible survivor. She was genital mutilation and sexually abused for years when, as a virgin girl, she was enslaved to became a victim of the Trokosi practice.

“We call on the support of the general public to join our cause and get involved in the promotion of PUNCTURED HOPE in every way they can. It is through the common effort of all those who are against the slavery and genital mutilation of women and children that the abolishment of such ongoing practices can be achieved. PUNCTURED HOPE gives a voice to the victims of the practice of TROKOSI in West Africa, under which young girls continue to become lifelong slaves on a daily basis.” - Bruno Pischiutta and Daria Trifu

The film is a Canadian production of Adhara Properties and Toronto Pictures and it was shot in Ghana. The story is based on the biggest form of women slavery that exists today in the world.

PUNCTURED HOPE is the first North American production (USD 5.8 M, Hollywood standard, 35 mm, 91 min., English Language, Color, Not Rated) to be shot in Africa and to feature an all African cast of professional actors. The film was an official selection at the Montreal World Film Festival. PUNCTURED HOPE is the first main stream feature film that is based on an African story interpreted by African actors and shot on the continent under the brilliant direction of internationally acclaimed and visionary Maestro Bruno Pischiutta.

PUNCTURED HOPE aims to break new ground for the African Film Industry as it showcases outstanding young and emerging talent such as Actors Belinda Siamey, Ruffy Samuel Quansah and Joyce Akagbo as well as renown and widely celebrated Actors such as Fred Amugi and Gavinina Tamakloe.

The 82nd Academy Award nominations will be announced on February 2, 2010, with the awards handed out on March 7.

About Bruno Pischiutta:

Born in Udine, Italy in 1947, Bruno Pischiutta began his film career in the late 1960s as an actor in films by Francesco Rosi, Nanni Loy and Billy Wilder. In 1975 he founded the Centro Iniziative di Azione Culturale in Rome. He made his directorial debut in 1975 with COMPAGNE NUDE, and he moved to Canada in 1983. His other films include ULTIMO INCONTRO A VENEZIA (1977), ISOLA MECCANICA (1978), THE COMOEDIA (1981), LIFE’S CHARADE (1987), MAYBE (2003).

For more info: http://www.editurl.com/3e7

About PUNCTURED HOPE:

For more info: http://www.editurl.com/3jv

For Video clips & Director interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uZGJmZtMiE

About Toronto Pictures (OTC Symbol: 'TTOPF'):

Targeting a global audience, Toronto Pictures explores different cultures and addresses controversial issues of our time in dramatic format. Toronto Pictures develops and produces Hollywood standard, 35 mm feature films that provoke thought not violence. For more info: http://www.torontopictures.com For Blog: http://puncturedhope.blogspot.com

CONTACT: Daria Trifu Toronto Pictures, Inc. Email: corporate@filmail.com Tel: (1) 310-734-8669