The Birmingham Community House Launches the Elmore Leonard Literary Arts and Film Festival

BIRMINGHAM, Mich., June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Community House, a nonprofit organization in Birmingham, MI dedicated to cultural, social and educational enrichment, will be launching the first annual "Elmore Leonard Literary Arts and Film Festival," November 10-13, 2010.

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The multifaceted event will include a competition for screenwriters and filmmakers as well as a separate teen short story contest for students, ages 13-18 years. A screening of "Fire in the Hole," the pilot of Elmore's hit TV series, along with screenings of film entries will be highlighted November 10-13. The festivities will conclude on November 13 with a benefit gala honoring the legendary writer for his contributions to the arts and to the state of Michigan.

For tickets and/or information please visit www.elmoreleonardliteraryartsandfilmfestival.com or contact The Community House 248-554-6586.

Elmore Leonard has a writing career spanning 60 years. He began writing western stories and novels and eventually switched to the crime fiction genre of which he is considered one of the all time masters.  Elmore has published 43 novels, over 40 short stories and a notable work of non-fiction, his famous Ten Rules of Writing. Elmore's 44th novel, Djibouti will be published on October 12, 2010 – the day after his 85th birthday. Thirty films and TV movies have been made from Elmore's books and stories, including 3:10 to Yuma, Hombre, Get Shorty, Out of Sight and Jackie Brown.  In March, 2010, an original television series entitled Justified premiered on the FX Network, developed by Graham Yost and starring Timothy Olyphant.  Justified is based on Elmore's novella, "Fire in the Hole."

The mission of the Elmore Leonard Literary Arts and Film Festival is to honor, Michigan native, Elmore Leonard and his outstanding contributions to the film and literary arts, our community and the state of Michigan through education, outreach and entertainment.  Future annual Elmore Leonard Literary Arts and Film Festivals will continue to celebrate and showcase the lives, works and themes of other writers, producers, directors, composers, actors, etc. whose success and contribution to the arts can be traced to their connection to the state of Michigan.  This annual festival will showcase the brilliant works of the honoree, emerging creative talent and our Michigan youth while enabling the perpetuation of the mission of The Community House.

SOURCE The Birmingham Community House