Artsploitation Films and Kino Lorber Release

Benjamin

A Romantic Comedy of a Different Kind by Simon Amstell

Now on DVD and Digital Platforms including Kino Now

Please contact Matt Barry at mbarry@kinolorber.com

to request an online screener for review.

“Simon Amstell’s funny, charming and overpoweringly personal comedy is a nervous romance, in which both parties get to be Annie Hall … a miraculously heartfelt love story, sweet and poignant in all its awkwardness.” – The Guardian

“A laugh-out-loud love story with bite. Sparkles with wit, warmth and weirdness” – Total Film

“A tender, funny and, at times, painful film” – The Daily Mail

“Witty, effervescent and unexpectedly soulful” – The Times (London)

“Funny, bittersweet and affecting” – Empire

New York, NY — August 25, 2020 — Artsploitation Films and Kino Lorber are proud to announce that Benjamin, a quirky, anxiety-fueled gay rom-com directed by Simon (“Nevermind the Buzzcocks”) Amstell and starring Colin Morgan (Merlin, The Happy Prince), is now available on DVD and digital platforms including Kino Now.

Benjamin was an Official Selection of the BFI London Film Festival, and won the Audience Award and was nominated for the Grand Jury Award for Best Film at the Milan International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.

Synopsis:

Simon Amstell’s offbeat gay romantic comedy centers around Benjamin (Colin Morgan), a nervous, neurotic filmmaker juggling the anxieties of finalizing his upcoming film with the fear and awkwardness of a burgeoning romance. Will Benjamin’s insecurities get in the way of success and happiness? Will his film be a critics-savaging disaster and he, a one-hit wonder? Amstell peppers this entertaining tale with scene-stealing cast of supporting characters including Joel Fry (Game of Thrones), Jessica Raine, Jack Rowan and Anna Chancellor.

Please contact Matt Barry at mbarry@kinolorber.com to request an online screener for review.

Title: Benjamin; Director: Simon Amstell; Country: UK; Year: 2019; Running Time: 85 minutes; Language: English; Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1; Sound: Dolby 5.1

DVD SRP: 19.95

DVD Item #: ART71

DVD UPC: 851597006803

Contact Information:

Matt Barry

mbarry@kinolorber.com

Kino Lorber

333 West 39 St., Suite 503

New York, NY 10018

Phone: 212-629-6880

www.kinolorber.com



ABOUT ARTSPLOITATION FILMS

Not limited to being just a genre label, Artsploitation Films presents intriguing, unsettling, unpredictable and provocative films to an audience long numbed by filmic predictability.

ABOUT KINO LORBER:

With a library of over 2,800 titles, Kino Lorber Inc. has been a leader in independent art house distribution for 35 years, releasing 30 films per year theatrically under its Kino Lorber, Kino Repertory and Alive Mind Cinema banners, garnering seven Academy Award® nominations in nine years, including documentary nominees Fire at Sea (2017) and Of Fathers & Sons (2019). In addition, the company brings over 350 titles yearly to the home entertainment and educational markets through physical and digital media releases. With an expanding family of distributed labels, Kino Lorber handles releases in ancillary media for Zeitgeist Films, Carlotta USA, Adopt Films, Greenwich Entertainment, Raro Video, and others, placing physical titles through all wholesale, retail, and direct to consumer channels, as well as direct digital distribution through over 40 OTT services including all major TVOD and SVOD platforms. In 2019, the company launched its new art house digital channel KinoNow.com which features over 1000 titles from the acclaimed Kino Lorber library.

At a time of national demonstrations in support of Black lives and against systemic racism and during a national health crisis, it is heartening to have good news from the Supreme Court. The decision handed down by the Court today affirms and emphasizes the importance of Americans coming together for the good of the nation and all its people. The Supreme Court has ruled that companies do not have a right to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people in the workplace. This historic decision says that LGBTQ+ people are, and should be, protected from discrimination under federal law. And while this is welcome news, the reality is that we still have much to do. 

Changes to Section 1557 of the Health Care Rights Law last Friday rolling back healthcare protections for transgender people, as well as the pervasive racism that continues to exist across our country, demonstrate the long road we still have ahead to end discrimination. 

There are still critical gaps in our federal non‐discrimination laws. It is still legal for federally funded entities including hospitals, colleges, and adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. It is also legal for stores, restaurants, and hotels to discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community in certain situations. 

“Comprehensive federal protections for LGBTQ+ people are about basic human needs. They ensure everyday Americans are able to earn a living, be safe in their communities, serve their country, receive medical care, and take care of the ones they love,” said Denise Spivak, CenterLink’s CEO. 

CenterLink calls on Congress to pass full federal non‐discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people and to continue working toward true equality for ALL people. 

At 4pm PT / 7pm ET, CenterLink will join a virtual national rally with other LGBTQ+ leaders from across the country and those who led the fight for these cases. Immediately after the rally, a panel of experts will discuss the court’s opinion and offer analysis of its potential effects. The public is welcome to attend both events. Learn more at www.decisionday.org. 

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CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org.

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Special Alerts:

COVID-19 as of March 11, 2020

Situation in Hawaii

• On March 8, the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) identified a second presumptive positive test result of COVID-19 for an elderly adult who is hospitalized in serious condition on Oahu. The individual felt ill on March 2 in Washington State and traveled home to Honolulu on March 4. This announcement follows Hawaii’s first positive case of COVID-19 on March 6 which involved a local resident who was likely exposed while aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship.
• The Hawaii Tourism Authority and Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau urge travelers to follow public health authorities’ recommendations for good hygiene. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides comprehensive information on its website: HTTPS://WWW.CDC.GOV/CORONAVIRUS/2019-NCOV/SUMMARY.HTML. The CDC is also updating coronavirus travel related information here: WWW.CDC.GOV/CORONAVIRUS/2019-NCOV/TRAVELERS/INDEX.HTML.
• Hawaii’s visitor industry continues to maintain the highest standards for sanitation and has taken additional steps to enhance its efforts at hotels, attractions, restaurants and other public spaces across the Hawaiian Islands to prevent the spread of infectious diseases amongst residents and visitors. The industry is also taking proactive steps to educate its workforce to continue practicing good hygiene at home and on the job.
• Daily updates from the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) can be found at: HTTPS://HEALTH.HAWAII.GOV/NEWS/COVID-19-UPDATES/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Notice Levels

• Level 3: Warning – Avoid all non-essential travel to China, Italy, Iran, South Korea
• Level 2: Alert – Practice enhanced precautions in travel to Japan
• Level 1: Watch – Practice usual precautions in travel to Hong Kong

What You Can Do
The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) is encouraging everyone to help prevent the spread of the respiratory illness with these everyday actions:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you’re sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Sign up for public notifications at HTTPS://HEALTH.HAWAII.GOV/NEWS/COVID-19-UPDATES/

The Hawaii Tourism Authority continues to monitor the situation via the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State of Hawaii’s Department of Health (HDOH). The available information continues to evolve, and you may want to bookmark the below sites as a resource for up-to-date information:
CDC:

• COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR TRAVELERS
• WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COVID-19
• Fact Sheet:
  • ENGLISH
  • CHINESE (SIMPLIFIED)
  • SPANISH

HDOH: HTTPS://HEALTH.HAWAII.GOV/DOCD/ADVISORIES/NOVEL-CORONAVIRUS-2019

Notices:

Kauai:

Current as of February 3, 2020

Haena State Park Update / North Shore Road Update

• Entrance to Haena State Park (which includes the Kalalau Trail, Hanakapiai Falls, Kee Beach) requires advance paid reservations for the park and its parking lot. If you do not have a paid reservation for that specific day, you will be kindly asked to turn around. Walk-ins require advanced reservations too. For more information please go to: HTTPS://DLNR.HAWAII.GOV/DSP/PARKS/KAUAI/HAENA-STATE-PARK/
• HTTPS://WWW.GOHAENA.COM/ Gets you Haena State Park information and North Shore Shuttle information.
• Limahuli Garden is now open and requires advance reservations. Parking at Limahuli is only for the garden and NOT for Haena State Park.
• For more information, please visit the DLNR STATE PARKS HAENA-NAPALI ACCESS WEBPAGE. Please check this site often for additional updates.

Maui AIDS Foundation to recognize 2019 World AIDS Day with annual event at the VFW Hall on Sunday, December 1, 2019.

Wailuku, HI (November 8, 2019)​ — Maui AIDS Foundation will recognize World AIDS Day 2019 on Sunday, December 1, at the VFW Hall, 1136 Uluniu Rd, Kihei, HI 96753 . The event will be from 2:00pm until 5:00pm and will be free for the general public. Parking is free, refreshments and entertainment will be provided.

This year marks the 31st anniversary of World AIDS Day (#WAD2019), which takes place on the first day of December each year worldwide. The day is recognized as the first ever global health day for people to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses.

Established in 1987 as Maui County’s only AIDS Service Organization, Maui AIDS Foundation provides services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS along with outreach, education and screening for local communities at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

This year’s World AIDS Day theme is #CommunitiesMakeTheDifference. World AIDS Day offers an important platform to highlight the role of communities. The strong advocacy role played by communities is needed more than ever to ensure that AIDS remains on the political agenda that human rights are respected and that decision-makers and implementers remain active in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

As a 501(c)(3) non profit, Maui AIDS Foundation provides Federally-funded case management services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS as well as confidential and free testing for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis on an appointment basis at (808) 242-4900. Office hours are from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

For more information on World AIDS Day and Maui AIDS Foundation, please visitwww.MauiAIDS.org​.

CONTACT: ​press@mauiaids.org​ or (808) 242-4900

Wailuku, HI (July 22, 2019) — Maui AIDS Foundation will host a “Winter Is Coming” cosplay fundraiser event on Saturday, September 21 at Sunsets Bar & Grill in Kihei (formerly Kono’s on the Green) at 7pm. Tickets will be $20 at the door and $15 in advance at Maui AIDS Foundation (1935 Main St., Suite 101, Wailuku), Maui Comics & Collectibles (Queen Kaahumanu Center, 275 West Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului) and Sunsets Bar & Grill (470 Lipoa Parkway, Kihei). This is a 21+ event.

Inspired by HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” the night will feature a costume contest with prizes, a silent auction, throne photos, psychic readings, drink specials, community partner booths, and a fabulous night of dancing with DJs Kurt and Pash_Sean. Costumes are encouraged but not required for attendance.

The evening benefits Maui AIDS Foundation, which provides services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, along with outreach, education and screening for local communities at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

“What better way to celebrate our love for ‘Game of Thrones’ than a cosplay event on the day of the September equinox?” said Maui AIDS Foundation Executive Director Chasity Cadaoas. “We are excited to be putting together this inclusive event in lieu of our usual Halloween bash and can’t wait to see how creative Maui will be. Start planning your best Jon Snow or Daenerys Targaryen drag now!”

If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please contact Shannon at info@mauiaids.org.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Maui AIDS Foundation was established in 1986 as Maui County’s only AIDS Service Organization. Today, along with Federally-funded case management services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, the organization provides free and confidential testing for HIV, hepatitis C, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea by appointment at (808) 242-4900. Office hours are from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Event hashtags: #MAFWinterIsComing #MAFgotGoT #MAFWinterOnMaui #WinterStayComing #WhereMyDragonsStay

For more information on Maui AIDS Foundation, follow us on social media @MauiAIDS.

CONTACT: events@mauiaids.org  or (808) 242-4900

By Holo Holo Charters

To say that we are humbled would be a huge understatement; we were elated to find that we had been nominated as part of USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards, as one of the 20 Best Boat Tours in the US, but when the results came in we were floored to find out we had been voted #5 on the list! We would like to say thank you for standing behind us and for supporting us in all the ways that you do. It is wonderful to know that our Aloha Spirit Service, Kauai-built boats, our amazing staff and community outreach has a place in your heart!

Since our beginning in 1997, we have been striving every day to be unconditionally accepted island wide as the best all-around boat tour company on Kauai, and that applies to all aspects of the company.  For us “BEST” is defined as:

• Being the best company to be a part of and work for.
• Providing the highest degree of quality customer service available in the industry.
• Maintaining the best vessels and equipment on the island.
• Providing the safest, most unique and memorable ocean experience available.
• Providing a solidly positive impact on both our ocean resources and our island community.

Holo Holo was founded with a simple idea: build amazing, high speed boats that can take Kauai’s challenging ocean conditions in stride and deliver guests to remote and dramatic locations like the Napali Coast, Kipu Kai, Lehua Crater, and Niihau; combine that with an exceptional staff that’s focused on giving our passengers a first-class experience, and we’ve found a recipe for success.

We love to support Hawaii Ecotourism Association’s principles of sustainable tourism, are proud to be the only company on Kauai certified by NOAA as Dolphin SMART, and are delighted to have received the Ocean Friendly Restaurant certification by Surfrider in 2018. We are constantly challenging ourselves to provide the best experience, in the most efficient and sustainable way possible.

Our approach to weather, the environment, and our ‘ohana is to be as transparent as possible. The goal is to set realistic expectations of our vessels, routes, and ever-changing conditions from the get-go. It is a simple communication that helps to establish a relationship with anyone joining us and help prepare them for the adventure of a lifetime!

For years we have made it a point to haul dangerous derelict fishing nets out of the ocean. Ghost nets and ropes are the number one cause of injury to whales and many other sea mammals. We are happy to partner with the Kauai Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation to help dispose of these properly and will continue to run our tours with an ocean-friendly approach.

We are doing our best to lead the way when it comes to promoting environmental stewardship and quality education in the tourism community. We’ve recently launched the Holo Holo Pono Pledge, a place for visitors and local island residents alike to commit to traveling responsibly and protecting the precious resources of Kauai. Please visit www.holoholopono.com to learn more and take the Pledge!

If you are considering joining us, know that we will gladly provide all you need for an epic day on the water, including food, drinks, reef-safe sunscreen, history, legends and Aloha Spirit Service! We hope to see you out on the water soon!

Mahalo from all of us here at Holo Holo Charters!

Wailuku, HI (May 20, 2019) — HBO’s “Game of Thrones” may have had its series finale, but winter is still coming to Maui soon! In place of its annual Halloween party, this year Maui AIDS Foundation will host a “Winter Is Coming” cosplay fundraiser event on Saturday, September 21 at Sunsets Bar & Grill in Kihei (formerly Kono’s on the Green) at 7pm. Mark your calendars!

More information, including ticket prices and DJs/performers, will be announced at a later date. In the meantime, start planning your best Jon Snow or Daenerys Targaryen drag now!

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Maui AIDS Foundation was established in 1986 as Maui County’s only AIDS Service Organization. Today, along with Federally-funded case management services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, the organization provides free and confidential testing for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis by appointment at (808) 242-4900. Office hours are from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

For more information on Maui AIDS Foundation, please visit www.MauiAIDS.org.

CONTACT: events@mauiaids.org or (808) 242-4900

Wailuku, HI (February 4, 2019) — Maui AIDS Foundation will co-host a sex trivia night with Planned Parenthood Maui on Thursday, February 21, at Vibe Bar Nightclub (1913-H South Kihei Road, Kihei). The evening of fun starts at 7pm and will include sex trivia, information on the latest news in sexual health and prizes.

“Think you know about sex?,” said Maui AIDS Foundation Director of Education and Prevention Chasity Cadaoas. “What animal produces the largest eggs? In what state is it illegal to have sex without condoms? Is there a pill to prevent HIV infection? We’ll put your sexual health knowledge to the test with the chance to win some fabulous prizes along the way.”

Admission is free and will be followed by Vibe’s Passion House Party at 9pm with DJ Pash_Sean. This is a 21+ event.

Maui AIDS Foundation, which will co-host the event with Planned Parenthood Maui, provides services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, along with outreach, screening, testing and education for local communities at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Maui AIDS Foundation was established in 1986 as Maui County’s only AIDS Service Organization. Along with Federally-funded case management services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, the organization provides confidential and free testing for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis by appointment at (808) 242-4900. Office hours are from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

For more information on Maui AIDS Foundation, please visit www.MauiAIDS.org.

For more information on Planned Parenthood Maui, please visit https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/hawaii/kahului/96732/kahului-health-center-2950-91810.

CONTACT: (808) 242-4900, press@mauiaids.org

San Diego, CA: Nearly 2,000 Christians from around the world had signed on to Christians United: A Statement In Support of LGBT+ Inclusion in the Church on Thursday morning, including more than 300 denominational leaders, theologians, and Christian influencers.

Christians United is an international theological statement bringing together thousands of LGBT+ affirming Christians to declare with one voice that the Church of Jesus Christ must be a place where LGBT+ people are celebrated and embraced. Christians United came as a direct response to The Nashville Statement, a document composed and signed by 150 major evangelical leaders in August 2017, which reaffirmed toxic, non-affirming theological commitments that have caused verifiable harm to countless LGBT+ people of faith around the world.

The statement was originally drafted by LGBT+ Christian activist and Nomad Partnerships Executive Director, Brandan Robertson and was edited by a distinguished editorial board including Dr. J. R. Daniel Kirk, Bishop Joseph Tolton, Rev. Steve Chalke, and Dr. Paula Williams.

Article 1 of the statement begins by declaring:

“WE AFFIRM that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and that the great diversity expressed in humanity through our wide spectrum of unique sexualities and gender identities is a perfect reflection of the magnitude of God’s creative work.”

In the first twenty-four hours of it’s release, Christians United was signed on to by over 1,000 Christians from around the world, including top theologians and the leaders of some of the worlds most influential Christian denominations.

Christians United stands as a faithful witness that a new day is dawning in Christianity, a day in which the Church of Jesus Christ repents of its sin of exclusion, and swings open it’s doors to welcome all of God’s diverse children.

To see the full text of the statement, visit www.ChristiansUnitedStatement.org.