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FLORIDA-MADE FAMILY FILM, THE FIRST OF MAY, NOW IN STORES

5/9/2008

Winner of ten awards, including Best of the Fest at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, The First of May was filmed in central Florida utilizing all local film professionals and Valencia Community College's Film Production Technology Program. Former state film commissioner Paul Sirmons directed the film, and DeLand's Gary Rogers wrote the screenplay based on the acclaimed book 'Golden Days' by Stetson professor Gail Radley. Rogers and Sirmons produced the movie, while Orlando's Steve Campbell served as Director of Photography and Oliver Peters as editor.



“First of May” is a circus term describing a novice performer in his first season. Eleven-year-old Cory (Dan Byrd, Aliens in America) is a foster child shuttled from family to family. Carlotta (Harris) is an elderly woman the world has forgotten and rebelling against the strict rules at her nursing home. Together, they find friendship and family when they run away and join a traveling circus. Mickey Rooney costars as the excitable circus owner who gives Carlotta and Cory the chance to show “what an old has-been and a First of May can do," with Charles Nelson Reilly as a clown who takes Cory under his wing. The movie used the Clyde Beatty - Cole Bros. Circus that winters in DeLand for their circus scenes.



The DVD, released by Questar, Inc., contains a newly-produced bonus feature, "Joe DiMaggio: A True American Hero," that celebrates DiMaggio’s life on and off the field.



The First of May, rated 'G' by the MPAA and awarded the Dove Seal of Excellence, is available at Walmart stores and other retailers, as well as through Netflix.

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