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PAGE 6 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN February 25, 2021

WAYNE
WAYNE

Hello Hollywood

Wayne High School graduates planning local film festival

Who says you can't go home again? Chicago. Wayne, however, remains their
Two alumni of Wayne Memorial High real home town.
School are coming home and bringing a Michelle Guernsey-McKay was a spe-
little TV star power with them. cial education teacher for almost 20
Antoine McKay and his wife, years with degrees in dance education
Michelle Guernsey-McKay, are hosting a and a masters degree in special educa-
film festival this summer at the historic tion from Wayne State University. A self-
State Wayne Theater on Michigan taught stained glass mosaic artist, she
Avenue. recently renewed her love for acting,
The first Wayne International guest starring in the film Fatal
Independent TV and Film Festival will Influence: like, follow, share, and in The
begin accepting entries in multiple cate- G on Prime video, along with starring in
gories and genres at the end of this the television show Michelle S. Bitts,
month. The festival will take place Sept. Ph.D, filmed in Wayne.
9-12. The couple is confident the planned
McKay, who has been a professional film festival will bring hundreds, if not
actor for 20 years. After graduating from thousands, of visitors to Wayne. McKay
Wayne Memorial High School, he honed has data at his fingertips explaining just
his skills at the Eastern Michigan how popular film festivals are and the
University theatre arts program. He enormous benefit the events bring to
began his professional career at Second suburban communities.
City in both Detroit and Chicago and he They shared some of those statistics
has appeared in countless commercials. with members of the Plymouth Noon
His television credits include roles in Rotary Club during their meeting last
Detroit 187, ER, Prison Break, and week as the guest speakers. Michelle Guernsey-McKay Antoine McKay
Sports Action Team. He has also The couple, along with festival direc-
appeared in feature films including The tors James and Margie Shabazz, is confi- Best Documentary Feature, Best progress may be submitted, but only dur-
Weatherman with Nicolas Cage, dent that their vision could become “the Documentary Short, Best Experimental, ing the Late or Extended deadlines and
Someone to Eat Cheese With alongside premier Midwest film festival, and a Best Animation, Best Science only if the film will be completed for
Jeff Garland, Standing in the Shadows of trusted doorway for connecting indie Fiction/Fantasy, Best Horror final review at least seven weeks before
Motown and Osso Bucco with Mike filmmakers, artists and producers to Best Director, Best Cinematography, the festival opening. The review commit-
Starr. His most recent appearances were industry executives as they take the next Best Editor, Best Actress, Best Actor, tee will only watch one version of
in Empire and Review and South Side steps in their career.” Best TV Series/Pilot/Web, Best Comedy, entered films. Films that have had a lim-
on Comedy Central. Awards and prizes will be presented Best First Time Filmmaker and Best ited commercial theatrical run or other
McKay and his wife, along with their in categories including: Best Narrative Female Filmmaker distribution are allowed to submit.
children, now reside just outside Feature, Best Narrative Short, selected films will be invited, and submitted, but each entry must be sepa-
There is no limit on number of works
All the directors/content creators of
” expected to attend and talk about their rate, appropriately labeled and accom-
panied by the required fee.
work in post-screening discussions.
McKay has data at his fingertips explaining These discussions will be hosted by film- Earlybird deadline for entry is Feb.
just how popular film festivals are and the enormous makers, journalists and experts in the 28 while the regular deadline for sub-
subject of the film. mission is March 31. There is also a late
benefit the events bring to suburban communities. Works can be submitted regardless of deadline in June. For more information
when they were completed and submis- or submit an entry, access the Wayne
sions do not have to be premieres to be International TV and Film Festival web-
selected for exhibition. Works in site.