Editor

TEARS OF A CLOWN, a Tony Spires Feature Film (120 min), has received a nod for Best Feature at The 14th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival and invites the public to its two Screenings: Friday, February 10, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. & Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 1:20 p.m. at the Magic Johnson Theatres.

Where do comedians like Bernie Mac, Cedric the Entertainer, Jamie Foxx, D.L. Hughley and others come from? TEARS OF A CLOWN takes a candid look at the world of stand-up comedy and the jagged road to fame and fortune. On stage antics and behind-the-scenes real-life drama take center stage in this dramatic comedy about the rise, fall and redemption of an African American stand up Comedian. Cole Black (D.C. Curry) has it all: a beautiful wife, promising future, the adoration of his fans; but he can't get enough of the fabulous life and all of its hedonistic indulgences. Problems arise when his past life catches up with him and his clumsy attempt at redemption, by "giving back" and mentoring rookie comic Kenny Lang (William L. Johnson), falls short and threatens to cost him everything.

Director, TONY SPIRES currently manages Don “D.C.” Curry and and Vincent Cook and has been the personal manager to comedian/actors such as: D.L. Hughley, Faizon Love and Laura Hayes. Tony Spires is the Writer/Producer/Director/co-star of his freshman effort, the Indie crime drama Two Degrees and his current work, the ode to the Black stand-up comedian Tears Of A Clown (both films also produced with his wife Rhonda L. Spires)." He’s the writer/producer/director of numerous theatre productions. He recently co-wrote and directed Ali: The Man, The Myth, The Peoples' Champion, a one-man play on the life and times of Muhammad Ali, starring and co-written by another of Spires' management clients, comedian actor Vincent Cook (who is also featured in Tears Of A Clown). Spires is also the founder and executive producer of The Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival (celebrating it‘s 20th Anniversary in 2006), the nation's longest-running urban comedy festival. His Comedy Competition has helped launch the careers of such notables as Academy Award Winner Jamie Foxx, D.L. Hughley, Chris Tucker, Mike Epps, Nick Cannon and Don "D.C." Curry. For info on the Festival visit: www.BlackComedyCompetition.com.

Tears Of A Clown star DON "D.C." CURRY, is a prolific stand-up comedian, is equally comfortable on the comedy stage or on the sound stage. DC continually headlines top concert venues and major comedy clubs across the country and takes on an acting project whenever his touring schedule allow it. Not only a performer, DC also produces many of his own projects. His versatility and trademark comedy shtick keeps him constantly working. Curry is currently starring, along with R&B sensations Gerald Levert and Kelly Price, in the nationally touring stage play Casino. Curry has co-starred in such hit films as Ice Cube's Next Friday and Friday After Next and Spires' Two Degrees. Tears Of A Clown also stars rising actor William L. Johnson (Blue Hill Ave. Doing Hard Time,Crossover) and actressTami Roman.

The 14th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) will take place February 9 - 20, 2006 at the Magic Johnson Theatres and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza (BHCP) in Los Angeles. With an attendance of over 150,000 people, PAFF is the largest Black History Month event in the USA. In a fun, family friendly environment, audiences enjoy cinema, art, music, spokenword, panels, workshops and parties. All ages, genders, ethnic groups and lifestyles are welcomed.