APRIL’S SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: MARIO VAN PEEBLES
Charismatic, outspoken, multi-talented Actor, Writer, Director & Producer

MARIO VAN PEEBLES’ experience as an actor, writer, producer, director, allows him to relate easily to accomplished, as well as aspiring writers, producers, directors and actors. A thriving “hyphenate,” as the term is defined in Hollywood, Mario continues to successfully wear many hats – an accomplishment to be admired!

Van Peebles is currently enjoying tremendous critical acclaim as the star, director and producer of the Indie film “Baadasssss” -- an intrinsic perspective of his father Melvin Van Peebles’ nearly impossible quest to get his revolutionary hit film, “Sweet Sweetback’s Baad Asssss Song” made by any means necessary. The film has been lauded by Roger Ebert as “one of the best movies I’ve seen about the making of a movie.” It has been featured on countless Top Ten Films Lists of 2004, and garnered numerous awards and nominations.

The multi-talented Peebles has a full plate utilizing many of his creative talents: Mario co-stars with Jay Hernandez and P.D. Diddy in “Carlito's Way, The Beginning” directed by Michael Bregman for Universal/Focus Features. He is also very proud of being one of the directors for the Documentary Series “First Amendment” Project for Sundance Channel and Court TV. The series explores current issues and stories surrounding the First Amendment, each episode directed by a different independent filmmaker.

Other credits include the role of Malcolm X in Ali; Clint Eastwood’s Heartbreak Ridge; directing and starring roles in several episodes Michael Mann’s CBS series RHDLA; the independent feature The Hebrew Hammer; 44 Minutes (FX), and Ten Thousand Black Men Named George and Crown Height (for Showtime). Van Peebles has also starred in the acclaimed telefilms, “The Sally Hemming Story,” Alex Haley’s “Mama Flora’s Family,” “The Ricky Bell Story,” “The Emperor Jones,” “Gang in Blue;” and ”Riot.” He also starred in “Third & Oak: The Pool Hall,” “Children of the Nigh,” the NBC’s series ”Sonny Spoon” and Showtime”s edgy comedy series “Rude Awakening.”

Mario’s feature directorial debut came with the critically acclaimed Warner Bros. box office hit “New Jack City,” in which he also starred. He then went on to redefine the Old West directing and starring in the multicultural western “Posse.” Mario received a Director’s Guild Award Nomination for his telefilm, “Malcolm Takes A Shot.” He directed and co-produced the controversial, historical drama “Panther,” a film about the Black Panther Party.

Mario Van Peebles Talks Candidly About Baadassss!, His Career & Hollywood: The charismatic, outspoken, actor/ writer/director/producer is compelling in a 'no-holds-barred' conversation with Liisa Kyle, Managing Editor of Sandra Lord’s popular HGEN In The Loop E-magazine.