FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Kathryn Philip
(707) 893-7150
ka************@tr****************.org
Tickets Now Available for Fundraiser Benefiting Education Programs and Cinemas
Healdsburg, CA, September 24, 2024 – True West Film Center opens ticket sales today for its Hollywood of Tomorrow fundraiser, taking place Saturday, November 16. The second annual event will honor three individuals who embody True West’s commitment to serving the community and celebrating achievement in film. Proceeds benefit the non-profit organization’s work to provide students throughout Sonoma County with innovative programs in media arts education. In addition to the fundraising event, True West will present a community screening of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and “A Conversation with Steve Zahn”.
The Impact Award, honoring a film industry luminary who exhibits exemplary professional grit and personal integrity, will be presented to actor Steve Zahn, whose credits include season one of the HBO series The White Lotus, and films Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Planet of the Apes, and Happy, Texas. For her demonstration of creativity, collaboration, and excellence, India Mitchell will receive the Student Filmmaker Award & Scholarship, consisting of a $1000 cash award and a presentation of India’s film clips at the event. The Jackie Hoffner Heart & Hope Award will be presented to Jennifer ‘Jendala’ Utsch for her community impact, heart, passion, and optimism. “We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Steve, India, and Jendala,” said True West Film Center Executive Director Kathryn Philip. “Each in their own way, these individuals embody the values that drive everything we do at True West, and they share our belief in media literacy as a critical life skill for the 21st century. The funds generated from Hollywood of Tomorrow support our long-term goal of extending our educational programs to
every K-12 student in Sonoma County.”
Research conducted by Americans for the Arts found that students with consistent access to arts education earn higher GPAs and standardized test scores, while also demonstrating lower dropout rates. With the opening of its James Redford Campus in the summer of 2025, True West anticipates its programs will grow to include 5,000 students within the first year, representing a five times increase over current numbers.
Following the fundraiser, on Sunday, November 17, honoree Steve Zahn will participate in a screening of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, followed by a brief Q&A. Later that day, “A Conversation with Steve Zahn”, co-hosted by Philip and Sundance Film Festival Director Emeritus John Cooper who serves on the True West Board of Directors, will dive deep into Zahn’s career, inspirations, and current work.
Tickets for Hollywood of Tomorrow begin at $250 and are available at truewestfilmcenter.org. The event will take place at Studio Barndiva in Healdsburg, an award-winning restaurant, wine bar, and event space. Annual sponsors of True West also include Cartograph Wines and Merriam Winery.
The screening of Diary of a Wimpy Kid will take place in the Windsor High School Theatre at 1:00 PM on Sunday, November 17. Tickets are $15 ($5 for students). A Conversation with Steve Zahn will follow the screening, at 6:00 PM. Tickets for the conversation are $25 ($10 for students) at truewestfilmcenter.org.
Lisa Rhodes serves as Event Chair, with the Host Committee consisting of: Carol Beattie, Susan Campbell & John McKinney, Colibri Vineyard, Michiko Conklin, C. Frederick & Dinna V. Eisenhart, Kerry Francis & John Jimerson, Jenny & Rick Gomez, Barbara Grasseschi & Tony Crabb, Stu Harrison & Dave Ring, Marc & Jeannie Kahn, Hillary & Michael Kambour, Ariel & Tim Kelley, Alan Kick & Stephen Sellick, Barbara Lannin, David Levine, Kim & John Lloyd, Ingrid Maltrud, Kevin & Rosemary McNeeley, Michelle Mercer & Bruce Golden, Winky & David Merrill, Wendy Mogel & Michael Tolkin, Care Morgenstern, Lisa & Michael Rhodes, Renn Rhodes & Marty Roberts, Bob Scott & Tim McDonald, Jan & Brent Stanley, Tricia Tanoury, and Dianne & Mark Vernon.
About the Honorees
Impact Award Winner
Steve Zahn is an American actor who, for decades, has chosen projects for their humor and joy. He has turned in memorable performances and received critical praise for his work on both stage and screen. Zahn’s feature film credits include Netflix’s Your Place or Mine opposite Reese Witherspoon, Cowboys (for which he won Best Actor at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival), Uncle Frank opposite Paul Bettany, Dallas Buyers Club, War for the Planet of the Apes, Where’d You Go, Bernadette, Rescue Dawn, Captain Fantastic, opposite Kathryn Hahn, Happy Texas, SubUrbia, directed by Richard Linklatter, and That Thing You Do!, directed by Tom Hanks. Television credits include HBO’s critically acclaimed series The White Lotus, the Showtime limited series George and Tammy opposite Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon and Season 3 of the HBO Original Series The Righteous Gemstones. With his producing partner, actor/director Rick Gomez, Zahn premiered their three-episode short series An Uncandid Portrait at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival.
Zahn’s work has been recognized with an Independent Spirit Award, nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. He lives with his wife, Robyn, and their family in Kentucky.
Student Filmmaker Award & Scholarship Winner
India Mitchell discovered her love of storytelling through filmmaking in middle school when her school in California changed to an online format for one year. At that time, India used an old cellphone to shoot footage about her dramatically changing world. India’s first student film, “Capes,” was honored at film festivals in California in 2022. Her second student film, “The Innocent,” received many recognitions and was shown at film festivals around the world in 2023. In her third student film, “Guiding Light,” released in 2024, India highlights a case involving a teen of the same age from her town that rocked the nation thirty years earlier. Guiding Light won the overall film award at the 2024 True West Student Film Festival.
Jackie Hoffner Heart & Hope Award Recipient
Jen “Jendala” Utsch is a passionate child advocate, artist, and cancer survivor. With a background as a former sheriff’s deputy and firefighter, she founded the nonprofit Heartizens, dedicated to fostering spaces for people of all ages to connect, create, and grow through art and community engagement. Her work as an artist focuses on inspiring the creative process, using metal art made from recycled materials to ignite curiosity and expression in others. Jen is also the author of two children’s books, sharing messages of kindness, self-love, and curiosity. Her mission is to inspire hope, positivity, and connection through her art, writing, and nonprofit. Ultimately, Jen aspires to create a global platform where leaders can collaborate on solutions for world peace, fostering a brighter, more compassionate future.
