Uptown Film Festival Spotlights 'Machine Gun Preacher'

Birmingham's Uptown Film Festival — to be held March 8-10 at the Palladium 12 — will feature the Michigan-made Machine Gun Preacher as the feature film of its annual charity gala, taking place Friday, March 9 at 7 p.m.

In additon, a percentage of ticket sale proceeds will be donated to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan and “Defeat the Label,” a national anti-bullying non-profit.

“We’re excited to show Machine Gun Preacher as a feature film in our festival benefitting these phenomenal charities”, said Kirk Miller, co-executive director of the Uptown Film Festival.

The film opened with a limited release in September and was an official selection of the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. 

“We’re honored to be able to give local film-goers and supporters of Michigan-made films an exclusive opportunity to see this film on the big screen, as it has not yet been released on DVD,” Miller said.

Machine Gun Preacher stars Gerald Butler (300) and tells the inspirational true story of Sam Childers, a former drug-dealer and criminal who is transformed as he discovers his unexpected calling as the savior of hundreds of kidnapped and orphaned children in the war-torn Sudan.

Tickets will be available for purchase at www.uptownpalladium.com beginning on Feb. 20.^.

The Festival’s board of directors chose Gleaners as a beneficiary for the second consecutive year based upon the organization’s leadership and service to the hungry of metro Detroit.  

“Gleaners is honored to be selected once again as a beneficiary of the Uptown Film Festival,” said Gleaners President W. DeWayne Wells. “We’re thrilled that this event, which recognizes local film talent, is also helping to raise awareness and funds for our hungry neighbors. Every dollar raised will provide three meals, so the (Uptown Film Festival's) support will have a direct, positive impact on our mission.”

The Festival also chose Defeat the Label as a 2012 beneficiary to support the organization’s powerful anti-bullying message.

“Defeat the Label is honored and excited to be a part of the Uptown Film Festival," said Jeff Sakwa, president of the Michigan chaper of the Defeat the Label. "We believe that this is a fun, family-oriented way to bring attention to this widespread epidemic, which has no geographic or socioeconomic boundaries.

"Many actors and people in the film industry have been and still are victims of bullying. We hope the Uptown Film Festival’s support will bring more attention to our organization, which help thousands in need on daily basis through its 24-hour help-line and vast network of resources.”

Jeffrey Spilman, co-executive director of the Uptown Film Festival agreed.

“Film is an art form that often examines issues of social importance, and, in some cases, instills the necessary outrage for society to change," he said. "Machine Gun Preacher, in addition to many of the film submissions that will be shown and nominated for awards, is demonstrative of this artistic scrutiny.

"By donating proceeds to Gleaners and Defeat the Label, we hope to raise awareness about the ramifications of hunger and bullying within our community, and, at the same time, reinforce the important role that Michigan films and filmmakers play in bringing about that change.”