|
|
|
| ABOUT |
THESTORY Deep Ellum Film, Music, Arts and Noise, dba Arts Fighting Cancer (AFC) was founded in 1999 with two goals; to produce cutting edge artistic events which appeal to the art enthusiasts and film lovers and raise money for cancer relief. Michael, AFC Chairman Emeritus and a Garland native, began his film career in Los Angeles at the American Film Institute. Michael graduated with a Master in Producing in 1986. Over the next twelve years he worked his way to Executive producer. During his last two years in Los Angeles, Michael Executive Produced 22 movies for HBO and Showtime.Michael was with his friend, director David Dobkin, (Clay Pigeons, Wedding Crashers) hanging posters on Melrose Boulevard when he received a phone call that his father had pancreatic cancer. Michael immediately flew back home only to learn his father had been given 6 months to live. Within two weeks, Michael had packed up his life in Los Angeles and moved to Dallas in order to help care for his dad. Before his father's death Michael took his parents on a trip to North Carolina so that Mr. Cain could see his family one last time. During this trip Mr. Cain presented a mandate to Michael, "if you have time to make peoples lives better while you are alive you should do so." Upon their return to, Michael asked his childhood friend, Attorney Christopher L. Smith, to help him bring the mandate to life. Michael's film background inspired him to create the Deep Ellum Film Festival as the cornerstone event for AFC. With the assistance of Chris, he created a non profit which would eventually raise over $100,000 to help improve the quality of life for those fighting cancer. The Deep Ellum Film Festival's mission was to foster growth and nurture development of the film community while raising funds for cancer relief. The Board of Directors has always been a working board and they have worked fervently over the past eight years to build AFC into a respected artistic organization with a solid track record of raising funds for individuals battling cancer. The 2007-2008 board consists of Nancy Breaux, Robin Gormly, James D. Faust and Don Stokes. The efforts of the board are supported by Melina McKinnon, Executive Producer - Dallas; Lisa Campbell McCorkle, Executive Producer - West Coast; Windy Rossi, Producer - Lone Star Drive-in and Haunted; Delia Cabral, Founder - Live Draw!; and Susan Pettit, Producer - Live Draw! Previous board members: Michael Cain, Chairman Emeritus - 1999 - 2007 Adrienne Faulkner, 2003 - 2007 Melina McKinnon, 2000 - 2006 Chuck Shepard, 2000 - 2002 Candy Smith, 1999 - 2000 Chris Smith, 1999 - 2000 Christopher L. Smith, 1999 - 2007 Forest Smith, 1999 - 2000 Bryan T. Reeder, 2003 - 2007 Matthew Wood, 2000 - 2005 AFC productions benefit The Cancer Relief Fund, established in 2001. The Fund provides direct financial relief to cancer patients in order to improve their quality of life. Recipients of fund grants live in the greater Dallas and Los Angeles areas. Grants are unrestricted. Recipients typically use grant money to pay for medical treatment, home health care, housing and other needs. The Cancer Relief Fund is housed within the Dallas Foundation, a publicly supported charitable foundation consisting of named funds established by many separate donors. The Dallas Foundation funds primarily benefit the Dallas area, but its grant-making extends nationally. Dallas Foundation grants include the arts, education, health, and social services. The Dallas Foundation was established in 1929 by a group of Dallas citizens, led by George Bannerman Dealey, the original publisher of The Dallas Morning News. The initial concept of AFC was to produce one signature event, the Deep Ellum Film Festival which ran from 1999 - 2007. The organization now produces several unique artistic endeavors in both Dallas and Southern California including three outdoor movie events; The Lone Star Drive-in, The Santa Monica Drive-in, Cinema in the Park (Pasadena); an annual Halloween Party, Haunted; and Live Draw! - 8 artists, 3 nude models, 1 incredible scene. Donations to The Cancer Relief Fund can be made directly through http://www.dallasfoundation.org/fundPage.aspx?subMenu=HowToGive .aspx&fund=6 Michael Cain currently serves as the CEO and Artistic Director of the AFI DALLAS International Film Festival. www.afidallas.com
Donate directly to The Cancer Relief Fund
 |