“Building Minds With Chess” By Ken Mask And Greg Ward Is An Official Selection Of 2023 Diversity In Cannes Short Film Showcase

New Orleans Agenda LOS ANGELES (May 15, 2023) – Dr. Ken Mask, whose prolific body of work ranges from medicine to movie making, is thrilled about a short film he co-produced and directed, featuring International [...]

“Building Minds With Chess” By Ken Mask And Greg Ward Is An Official Selection Of 2023 Diversity In Cannes Short Film Showcase

New Orleans Agenda

LOS ANGELES (May 15, 2023) – Dr. Ken Mask, whose prolific body of work ranges from medicine to movie making, is thrilled about a short film he co-produced and directed, featuring International Grandmaster of Chess Pontus Carlsson, that is now positioned for global acclaim.

Yolonda Brinkley, founder of Diversity in Cannes, the independent film movement promoting inclusion at the Cannes Film Festival, has announced “BUILDING MINDS WITH CHESS” is an official selection of the 2023 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase, which celebrates the achievements of globally diverse filmmakers telling stories specific to marginalized populations, at the world’s most prestigious entertainment industry event.

Presented by Ms. Brinkley, American Publicist and Event Producer, with support from Academy Award Winner Viola Davis and Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions, the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase will spotlight 18 films, selected by an international screening committee of diverse entertainment industry professionals and film enthusiasts. The competition was stiff with over 200 submissions from 31 countries including China, Denmark, Bolivia, Nigeria, Jamaica, Japan, Ukraine, Turkey and New Zealand. However, “BUILDING MINDS WITH CHESS” prevailed and will be screened in France during Diversity Day, concurrent with the 76th Festival de Cannes. Final winners will be selected onsite by an esteemed international jury and announced at an awards reception immediately following the showcase.

“The 2023 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase International Screening Committee, had the awesome task of determining the official selections from hundreds of submissions globally. With an acceptance rate of less than 10%, I am delighted to announce “BUILDING MINDS WITH CHESS” as an Official Selection of the 2023 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase,” said Ms. Brinkley. “I am honored to pioneer the independent movement promoting diversity and inclusion at the Cannes Film Festival. It is the unwavering support of filmmakers like Ken Mask, Greg Ward, Fetteroff Colen, Marshall Woodworth and Matt Dillon, that inspires the continual momentum necessary to ensure marginalized voices and underrepresented stories are seen and heard at the Cannes Film Festival and beyond.”

Diversity Day is Monday, May 22, 2023 at Hotel Gray D’Albion, Salon Esterel 2, 38 rue des Serbes Cannes, France 06400. For more information or to support the movement, email Diversity in Cannes or follow @diversencannes on all social media platforms.

For more on Dr. Mask, visit his Web site at Home – kenmaskstudios