OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK Picks Up 'Family Affair' at Sundance Film Festival

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK has acquired the rights to FAMILY AFFAIR, an independent feature length documentary film written and produced by Chico David Colvard.  FAMILY AFFAIR, an intensely personal documentary that examines Mr. Colvard's compelling family history, garnered great attention at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival where it had its world premiere.

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FAMILY AFFAIR is the first film to join OWN's recently announced Documentary Film Club.  The Doc Club was created to spotlight cinematic documentaries that can inspire and entertain, and encourage emerging creative voices to bring their stories to a mainstream television audience on OWN.  

"OWN is about real life stories of self-discovery, inspiration and transformation," said Chief Executive Officer Christina Norman. "FAMILY AFFAIR is exactly that – a multi-layered, raw and provocative family story. I applaud Chico Colvard for his bravery in creating a deeply personal film that shares with us his pain, his anger and ultimately his transformation."

"I'm honored to have my film be a part of the unique programming OWN will be offering," said Mr. Colvard.  "I believe that my story will resonate with both men and women who are struggling with their past, and give them a new insight to move forward with their future."

"We are eager to bring this profound and important film to a larger audience," said Annie Roney, founder and managing director ro*co films international, and curators of the OWN Documentary Film Club.  "This documentary will allow viewers to create a community, giving them a platform for discussion and allowing personal growth and change."

"I am deeply honored that FAMILY AFFAIR is the first acquisition by the OWN Documentary Club," said Liz Garbus, producer. "Beyond our own personal excitement, OWN's commitment to best of American documentary filmmaking is a thrilling development for the whole industry."

A multi-platform experience, the Doc Club on OWN will be an opportunity for viewers to see monthly documentary films on the channel and, in some cases, at nationwide theatrical screening events.  On Oprah.com, the OWN community will be able to come together to share reflections, ideas and continue the conversation.

About FAMILY AFFAIR

At 10 years old, Chico Colvard shot his older sister in the leg. This seemingly random act detonated a chain reaction that exposed unspeakable realities and shattered his family.  Thirty years later, Colvard ruptures veils of secrecy and silence again.  As he bravely visits his relatives, what unfolds is a personal film that's as uncompromising, raw, and cathartic as any in the history of the medium.  

Driving the story forward is Colvard's sensitive probing of a complex dynamic: the way his three sisters survived severe childhood abuse by their father, and as adults, manage to muster loyalty to him.  These unforgettable, invincible women paint a picture of their harrowing girlhoods as they resiliently struggle with present-day fallout.  The distance time gives them from their trauma yields piercing insights about the legacy of abuse, the nature of forgiveness, and eternal longing for family and love.  These truths may be too searing to bear, but they reverberate powerfully within each of us.

FAMILY AFFAIR is written and produced by Chico David Colvard.  Dan Cogan and Abigail Disney serve as Executive Producers, Rachel J. Clark as editor, Academy-Award® nominated Liz Garbus as producer, and Miriam Cutler as composer.

Visit www.rocofilms.com for submission information and guidelines.

About OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

A joint venture between Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications, OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform, and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN will debut in more than 70 million homes, on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also will include the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com.

SOURCE OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network