Roll out the pink carpet - Toronto hosts world's first breast cancer film festival

    TORONTO, Nov. 11 /CNW/ - Rethink Breast Cancer (Rethink) is rolling out
the pink carpet for the Breast Fest Film Festival, the world's first film
festival dedicated to breast cancer awareness. Taking place in Toronto on
November 21 & 22, the Breast Fest Film Festival will showcase the many issues
surrounding breast cancer in a meaningful and accessible way, connecting
people to each other and to the breast cancer cause.
    "So many people are touched by breast cancer, but each person's
experience is very different, resulting in a wide range of needs that are not
always met through traditional support and education options," said Alison
Gordon, vice-president, Rethink. "The stars of the Breast Fest Film Festival
are the women and men who have shared their stories, through which we hope to
engage and connect people, and encourage them to think differently about
breast cancer."
    The Breast Fest Film Festival will showcase films that span the emotional
spectrum of the disease, using the expressive and creative powers of film to
engage and educate audiences. Some films will also be followed by panel
discussions or question and answer sessions with film directors. The opening
night of the festival will feature the Canadian premiere of Living Proof, the
story of one of the most important breast cancer research breakthroughs of our
time. On Saturday night, the Amazing Grace award, created in memory of Grace
Cianciotta, a well-known member of the Canadian film community, will be
presented to the winner of the Breast Fest Film Festival short film
competition.
    Living Proof underscores the importance of breast cancer research while
telling the true story of Dr. Dennis Slamon, the UCLA doctor who helped
develop the breast cancer drug, Herceptin. The film stars Harry Connick Jr.
and a star-studded cast including Emmy(R) winner Tammy Blanchard ("Life with
Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows"), Amanda Bynes ("Hairspray"), Jennifer
Coolidge ("American Pie"), Angie Harmon ("Women's Murder Club"), John Benjamin
Hickey ("Flags of Our Fathers"), Regina King ("Ray"), Emmy(R) and Tony(R)
winner Swoosie Kurtz ("Pushing Daisies"), Paula Cale Lisbe ("Providence"),
Golden Globe(R) winner Amy Madigan ("Pollock"), Tony(R) winner Bernadette
Peters ("Boston Legal") and Trudie Styler ("Empire"). Living Proof is
executive produced by Renée Zellweger, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("Chicago,"
"Hairspray") and screenwriter Vivienne Radkoff ("Tempted," "The Agency").
    "I see myself as Canadian living proof of the value of this discovery.
Because of Herceptin, many women like me are living active and productive
lives," said Janet Ounapuu, a breast cancer survivor from Toronto. "Rethink's
Breast Fest Film Festival is a unique way to share this story, as well as
other important perspectives on breast cancer."
    The Breast Fest Film Festival short film competition created an
international forum for those who have been touched by breast cancer to share
their stories, while also allowing people around the world to witness
different perspectives on breast cancer by viewing the films online and voting
on their favourite. The winning film will be announced and screened on
Saturday night, and the film's director will receive the Amazing Grace award.
    All screenings will take place at the Royal Ontario Museum Theatre, 100
Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario. Opening night tickets are $25 per person and
tickets for all other screenings are $10 per person. To view show times and
purchase tickets, or to find out more about the festival, please visit
www.breastfestfilmfest.com.
    Proud sponsors of the Breast Fest Film Festival include TELUS, Schick
Quattro for Women, Maple Pictures, Roche, Endeavour Marketing, NOW Magazine,
ELLE Canada, Media Experts, Alliance Films, and Cineplex Entertainment.

    About Rethink Breast Cancer

    Rethink Breast Cancer is an innovative charity that reaches out to young
people concerned about and affected by breast cancer. By taking a breakthrough
approach to all aspects of breast cancer - medical research, support, public
awareness and fundraising - Rethink Breast Cancer is thinking differently
about how to beat breast cancer and is expanding support for the cause.

For further information: or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Alia Hassan, Alexis Beamer, Cohn & Wolfe, [phone] ext. 4055, ext. 4031,
[e-mail], [e-mail]