Johanna Bermudez-Ruiz

Video from WSTX

Johanna — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:47:08 +0000

Thanks so much to Anthony Weeks, who hosts Money Talk And More on AM 970 WSTX. I really enjoyed our conversation on your show lastnight!

I was also surprised by two very special listeners who called into the show! Many thanks to Congresswoman Donna Christensen for lending her important perspective to our discussion. During the show the legendary Caribbean radio host Bob “Spice Man” Frederick also called in from New York.

You can see video and hear the entire interview by clicking on the link below:

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/7400911.

AM 970 WSTX

Johanna — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:51:19 +0000

Tune in tonight at 6 pm to our great St. Croix radio station, AM 970 WSTX! I will be talking about my latest projects and the new trailer for SUGAR PATHWAYS.

You can also listen in live via the internet at http://www.wstxam.com/.

Hope you get a chance to listen in!

SUGAR PATHWAYS trailer

Johanna — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:06:43 +0000

I am so proud and grateful to present this new trailer for SUGAR PATHWAYS.

Enjoy!

June 19

Johanna — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:02:38 +0000

I am very excited to announce that on Saturday June 19, 2010, Generation Now, Inc, will host it second annual Leadership Conference at the Carina Bay Beach Resort, St.Croix U.S. Virgin Islands. During the conference I will be honored as an “Emerging Leader” for the contributions that SUGAR PATHWAYS made in the community. Author and political commentator, Roland Martin of CNN will deliver the keynote address.

I hope to see you there!

New Music Video

Johanna — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 20:42:18 +0000

The last time I was here it was February and all of a sudden it’s April!

March started great, with SUGAR PATHWAYS screening at the Bermuda International Film Festival. This is one of the official film festivals from which members of the Academy Awards select short films. So I’m pleased that SUGAR PATHWAYS was screened there.

I have also been super busy on a collaborative project with I Grade Records. I worked to write, produce, and direct a music video for the record label´s up-coming reggae artist “Toussaint”. I had a blast! We brought in local kids to participate and the story with the artist’s daughter was really beautiful.

Here is the video.

Enjoy!

Happenings in February

Johanna — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:25:02 +0000

This month SUGAR PATHWAYS is screening in locations all over the U.S. and in the Caribbean.

Starting February 4 through February 7, SUGAR PATHWAYS opens at the Third Annual Africa World Documentary Film Festival held in Saint Louis, Missouri. Take a look at the web site for screening venues and schedules.

On Friday, February 12, 2010 at 7 pm SUGAR PATHWAYS opens at Maysles Cinema in New York City. Check out the calendar at the website of Maysles Cinema for more details.

Then, on Thursday February 18 through February 21, the Third Annual Africa World Documentary Film Festival travels to the Caribbean island of Barbados where SUGAR PATHWAYS will premiere in Cavehill, Barbados.

Finally, I wanted to let you know that toward the ending of last year I was nominated for Best Film Directed by a Woman of Color at the African Diaspora Film Festival. What an honor! I am happy to congratulate the winner–Dr. Sylvia D. Hamilton, director of “The Little Black School house.” Well done!

Support Haiti

Johanna — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:52:56 +0000

Just as we were wrapping up Carnival here in the U.S. Virgin Islands, we heard the sad news of the earthquake that caused great devastation to our sister Caribbean island, Haiti. As a filmmaker and humanitarian my immediate reaction was to help by volunteering and documenting-on film-the courageous strength, determination, and daily strife to obtain food, clothing, and shelter.

The tragedy that Haitians are going through is heart breaking and I worry about the children and women of Haiti. My questions are ongoing and many-but my greatest questions are how are young children and women surviving? How are they meeting their daily basic needs?

The answers come slowly and painfully as the media continues to update us from morning through night on rescue developments in Haiti. But it does not stop anyone from worrying about the children and women of Haiti. I personally wonder how many women have experienced miscarriages? How many women weren’t able to acquire sanitary napkins for their month cycle? How many children have lost their mother or father, or both parents? I feel deep sympathy and sorrow.

The people of Haiti will need ongoing support for many years to come, and I have decided the best way for me to help is by giving to St.Croix´s local Haiti non-profit organization—Haiti Community Support.

My prayers goes out to all of those affected by the earthquake, the first responders, and I ask you to send as much positive energy and solidarity with the people of Haiti.

Happy Holidays!

Johanna — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:34:51 +0000

I would like to wish everyone the happiest of holidays and a blessed new year!

Johanna

SUGAR PATHWAYS Screening at Film Festival in NYC

Johanna — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:14:13 +0000

SUGAR PATHWAYS has been accepted to the African Diaspora Film Festival in New York.

The festival runs from November 27 through December 15, 2009. This festival presents an eclectic mix of urban, classic, independent and foreign films that depict the richness and diversity of the life experience of people of African descent and Indigenous people all over the world.

SUGAR PATHWAYS will screen on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 6 p.m.

The screening will be at Columbia University’s Cowin Center, located at 525 West 120th Street. You can pick up tickets ($11.50) at the theatre.

I hope you can make it!

Red Carpet Photos

Johanna — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:01:30 +0000

Check out some great pictures here of the screening in New York in October.

This event celebrated Hispanic Heritage month with a private red-carpet gala screening of SUGAR PATHWAYS at the Tribeca Cinema with the InterPublic Group.

It was exciting! More than two hundred people attended. I heard comments all night long from everyone about how much they loved the film and of course I was very grateful to everyone for being there to celebrate Latin American culture.

It was a wonderful night.