Pollack, Streep, Halmi, Ben-Ami and others receive award from Kenyan Government
July 7, 2007 Los Angeles, California
Producer Yoram Ben-Ami received an award today in Los Angeles in an appreciation from
the Kenyan government forhis contribution to the Kenyan film industry and the “people of Kenya”
The award received by Mr. Ben-Ami will also be received by nine other contributors to the Kenyan film industry - the esteemed list includes Academy Award winners Meryl Streep(OUT OF AFRICA), Sydney Pollack (OUT OF AFRICA), Caroline Link (NOWHERE IN AFRICA) and Peter Herrmann (NOWHERE IN AFRICA) and Emmy Award winning producer Robert Halmi(THE ASCENT), Martin Maszkowicz (WHITE MAASAI), Terence Clegg (OUT OF AFRICA). Simon Channing Williams (CONSTANT GARDENER).
The award signed by Kenyan Minister of Information and Communications - the Honorable Mutahi Kagwe EGH, Minister of Parliament was presented to Mr. Ben-Ami at the Kenyan Consulate General in Los Angeles by Consul General Mrs. M. Nyambura Kamau.
The award states the following:
“Your professional integrity, devotion to your craft, experience and knowledge has enriched this country.I have confidence that your work has set a high standard for the many young Kenyans who would aspire to following your footsteps by your example from which our industry will surely grow.You will always be our most welcome guest and on behalf of the many Kenyans you have touched in our nation. I wish to say a sincere thank you for having faith in Kenya and for entrusting us with your film”
Mr. Ben-Ami produced SHEENA for Columbia Pictures and produced THE LION OF AFRICA for HBO shot entirely on location in Kenya.
Sheena’s Production in 1983 - 1984 was integral in advancing Kenya’s Film Industry and led the way to filming “Out of Africa” which won 5 Academy Awards including best picture and starred Robert Redford and Meryl Streep. Kenya has since gone on to host other films that now total 12 Academy Award winners which is more than all other countries on the African continentcombined. This could be applied in equal measure to mainland Europe (with the exception of the UK) over the same 22 year period.
In accepting the award, Mr. Ben-Ami announced to Consul General Mrs. M. Nyambura Kamau the formation of the AFRICA FOREST FUND (www.africaforestfund.org) which will be based in Kenya and aims to provide Kenyans with an important bio-diesel resource that will be integral in fighting Global Warming.The Africa Forrest Project aims to plant 2 million trees over arid and desert land in Kenya together with the help of prominent figures from the Hollywood Entertainment community.
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