Next to Sundance, there’s no higher-profile launch for an independent film than Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Film Festival in New York, and that’s where a local couple enjoyed a walk on the red carpet when a movie they executive-produced was shown last week.
“Tennessee,” the story of two brothers who fled an abusive father but return to him years later when one of them is diagnosed with leukemia, is Smokewood Entertainment Group’s first movie to hit the silver screen. Smokewood was formed by Gary Magness and Sarah Siegel-Magness of Cherry Hills Village, and they proudly walked the red carpet Wednesday night with Mariah Carey, Adam Rothenberg and Ethan Peck — all of whom have starring roles.
If the Peck name sounds familiar, it should. Ethan’s grandfather was the late actor Gregory Peck.
Gary Magness’ father was the late Bob Magness, a telecommunications pioneer who founded TCI and shared his fortune with such worthy causes as Volunteers of America, the Denver Art Museum and the University of Denver. Sarah’s parents are Celestial Seasonings founders Mo Siegel and Peggy Siegel, and before getting into the film business two years ago, Sarah started SoLow, a lingerie and clothing company that continues to flourish.
Edie Falco (“The Sopranos”) and Ben Kingsley (“Ghandi”) also joined the Magnesses on the red carpet, and for the film premiere’s after-party at Tenjune, a nightclub in New York’s Meatpacking District.
De Niro started the Tribeca Film Festival in 2001 with two friends as a way to revitalize the lower Manhattan cultural and economic scene following the attacks on the World Trade Center. To date, the festival has attracted 2 million attendees and generated $425 million.
Smokewood’s next effort, “Push,” an urban drama starring Lenny Kravitz, Mo’nique and Sherri Shepherd, is due out next year.
More good stuff.
The Fine Arts Foundation installs Kitty Gregg as president at a luncheon Wednesday at the JW Marriott in Cherry Creek North … Frances Owens and Ed Sardella are the hosts when Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic distributes its Bud Y. King Scholarship Awards Thursday afternoon at Park Hill Golf Course. The $25 tickets can be purchased by calling 303-757-0787 … Eric Paddock’s move to the Denver Art Museum as curator of photography and media arts was made possible by an endowment created by Evan Anderman, John Grant, Robert G. Lewis and Anthony Mayer. Paddock expects to start by midsummer, after wrapping up 25 years as curator of photography and film at the Colorado Historical Society … Alisa Zimmerman has become the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival’s first executive director. She comes to the job by way of Broomfield, where she was cultural affairs manager, and the Peace Corps, where she helped develop small businesses in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also,
