Kyna
Play
In less than two weeks, Hollywood takes over Nashville for this year's festival. Set to appear at the two venues are actors, film and television producers, writers and industry professionals from across the U.S. and abroad. In keeping with this year’s festival theme “Feels Like Home”, guests arriving at Nashville Metropolitan Airport over the five days will be greeted “Southern Style” during sets performed by artists such as “Biscuits and Gravy”, “Rashad the Poet” and “Darnell Levine” provided by Nashville’s own hit music entertainment company “LoveNoise.” Guests include several celebrities, some of whom will make their first Nashville appearance. Festival goers will have an opportunity to meet Tyler Williams, star of Everybody Hates Chris and winner of the 2007 NAACP Image Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of “Chris”. Loosely based on the life of Actor/Comedian Chris Rock, Tyler stars as Chris, a responsible, resilient 15-year-old struggling to keep his siblings in line at home while facing a new neighborhood and new school. Tyler, along with Sharon Smith of the Sharon Smith Talent Agency and Tina Treadwell, CEO Treadwell Entertainment lead the workshop “Kid Buzz: Preparing Your Child for the Big Screen” on Saturday, Oct. 18. On Friday, Oct. 17, film and television star Boris Kodjoe will be present at key festival events. Kodjoe is perhaps best known for his role as “Damon Carter” in the long-running television series Soul Food. Moviegoers will also remember Kodjoe as Frankie in Tyler Perry’s box office smash Madea’s Family Reunion. Kodjoe has also appeared in episodes of Crossing Jordan, Nip/Tuck, Women’s Murder Club, and Boston Public, and has made several guest appearances on The Tyra Banks Show. Fresh off the set of Long Shots which co-stars Ice Cube of Are We There Yet?, actress Tasha Smith will do a 2-day Actors Bootcamp on October 16 and 17. The film star is best known for her work in Tyler Perry’s hit movie Why Did I Get Married? with co-stars Janet Jackson and Jill Scott. Smith also played opposite Gabrielle Union and Idris Elba in Daddy’s Little Girls, portraying Jennifer, the corrupt, vindictive ex-wife of Elba’s character, Monty. Click here for a full festival schedule >>