For Immediate Release:

Duluth, GA (July 11, 2013) — Gwinnett Center will host their first International Film Festival, July 27 – 28, 2013, and will celebrate efforts of local and independent filmmakers from across the globe. The films will play at Gwinnett Center in the Performing Arts Center and Convention Center, where there will be three screening rooms and panel discussions presented throughout the festival. In addition to the festival, there will be featured film screenings shown throughout the weekend.

The film festival will also showcase two metro-Atlanta celebrities, retired NBA player Mike “Stinger” Glenn, and nationally ranked wrestler, ESPY award-winner, motivational speaker and bestselling author, Kyle Maynard.

SPIRIT OF LOVE ** FILM TYPE: Georgia Premiere SCREENING ROOM: One – Performing Arts Center DATE: Friday, July 26, 2013 TIME: 8:00 P.M. RUN TIME: 118 minutes ** This is a featured film. SPECIAL: There will be a Q & A session following the screening of Spirit of Love with the director Darla Rae & Mike Glenn.

Retired NBA player Mike “Stinger” Glenn plays himself in this wonderful film inspired by his real life Basketball camps for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing. In a unique casting, deaf & hard of hearing, and hearing actors work together and deliver a film which is authentic, charming, competitive, funny, and challenging. Spirit of Love is a diverse coming of age story. A group of misfit teens arrive at the 33rd annual basketball camp, which is the first time girls will attend the camp. Some come with hoop dreams, while others are trying to survive tumultuous teenage angst. Alexi arrives angry and at odds with his Dad Coach Phil, while Ford wants everyone to know he’s more than Deaf, and Maddie thinks everyone sees her as a freak. Not only do they learn life lessons through the game of basketball, they soon learn what it means to soar like Eagles, Win or Lose. Spirit of Love will motivate, encourage, uplift and inspire all audiences.

Prior to the film screening, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman, Charlotte J. Nash will be presenting a proclamation to the Mike Glenn Foundation declaring July 26, 2013 as “Spirit of Love Day” in Gwinnett County.

A FIGHTING CHANCE FILM TYPE: Georgia Premiere SCREENING ROOM: One – Performing Arts Center DATE: Sunday, July 28, 2013 TIME: 5:30 P.M. RUN TIME: 88 minutes SPECIAL: There will be a Q & A session following the screening of A Fighting Chance with the producer and director, Takashi Doscher.

A Fighting Chance is the vivid, character-driven story of Kyle Maynard, a young man born without arms or legs. At 23 years-old, Kyle has already become a nationally ranked wrestler, ESPY award-winner, motivational speaker and bestselling author. However, when Kyle seeks an official Mixed Martial Arts match against an able-bodied fighter- a highly controversial and dangerous goal - Kyle has to face even greater challenges in a world that fails to see him as anything but "disabled." Whether fighting in the MMA cage or extending his "No Excuses" philosophy to recovering military veterans, Kyle Maynard shows what life can be like when every day is a battle. Ask yourself: what is a disability? What is normal?

Tickets for Gwinnett Center International Film Festival can be purchased at GwinnettCenter.com, The Arena at Gwinnett Center Box Office or by calling 1-888-9-AXS-TIX. One day and weekend passes range from $25.00 - $65.00, and all featured films will be $9.00.

For more information on the Gwinnett Center International Film Festival or the films or panel discussions, please visitwww.gwinnettcenter.com/intlfilmfest.

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About Gwinnett Center:

Just minutes outside of Atlanta, Gwinnett Center’s 80-acre lakefront campus can accommodate a variety of events from concerts, performances, meetings, trade shows, conventions, banquets, and celebrations.  The multipurpose campus includes an amazing 13,000 seat arena, a 702-seat Performing Arts Center, 23 versatile meeting rooms, a 50,000 square foot exhibit hall, and a 21,600 square foot grand ballroom.  Gwinnett Center is beautifully landscaped and architecturally stunning facility with an award-winning outdoor private garden, soaring atriums and modern angles which provide a beautiful backdrop for any event. The campus, operated by the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau, distinguishes itself by hosing a diverse range of events, including the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships, Lady Gaga, Catalyst Convention, George Strait, Beyoncé, Enrique Iglesias, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Menopause the Musical, American Idol Live!, Dave Matthews Band, Vicente Fernandez, Carrie Underwood, Eric Clapton, FLW Forrest Wood Cup, Michael Bublé, MUSE, and many more. For a full list of events, please visit GwinnettCenter.com for more event information.

Gwinnett Center Press Contact:

Jaclyn Miller

Marketing and PR Manager
Phone: 770-813-7552

jmiller@gwinnettcenter.com