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'Rita’s Song' Claims Grand Prize for Music Video, Celebrating a Profound Story of Late-Life Transformation

3/8/2026

Music video rocks Hollywood's Golden State Film Festival

The acclaimed music short film Rita’s Song has been honored with the Grand Prize Music Video award at the prestigious 9th Golden State Film Festival, held February 27 to March 6, 2026, at the iconic TCL Chinese Theaters in Hollywood. This poignant 4-minute music short, which had its Hollywood premiere on March 3rd as an Official Selection at the festival, documents the inspiring story of Rafaela Amrita Crevoshay (Rita) who courageously transitioned from male to female at the age of 76 after a lifetime of concealing her authentic self. Produced by Michael A. Levine (former governor of the Emmys) and director Marcelle Abela, with original music and lyrics composed by Levine himself, the film features soaring vocals by Angelica Innocente, keyboards by Michael Levine, saxophone by Sam Levine, and chorus by the TQ Choir. Notably, raw footage for the music video was innovatively created using Grok Imagine technology, the prompt artist being Abela herself.

Rita’s Song began with a profound encounter: the true story of Rafaela Amrita Crevoshay – Rita – who, at the age of 76 years, summoned up the courage to transition from male to female after decades of concealing her authentic self. In their producers’ statement, Levine and Abela said, “Rita’s journey of late-life liberation struck us as both heartbreaking and triumphant – a reminder that the pursuit of truth can arrive at any stage of life and that it is never too late to live fully.”

They added: “In an era when transgender stories are too often marginalized or told from the outside, if not dismissed altogether, we wanted to center Rita’s voice and presence, celebrating the beauty and dignity of embracing one’s identity albeit later in life. Rita’s Song is, at its core, a message of hope: that suppressed truths, once spoken, can become sources of profound joy and connection. We are deeply grateful to Rita for entrusting us with her story and hope this short film resonates with anyone who has ever felt the need to hide a part of themselves.”

Rated PG-13 and presented in 16:9 aspect ratio with 5.1 surround sound, the film blends powerful original music with gentle, authentic documentation — allowing Rita’s own presence, the lyrics capturing a lifetime of hidden truth finding freedom, and the emotional music to carry the narrative weight. Viewer reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with comments including “Got goosebumps,” “A marvelous tribute,” “Absolutely stunning,” and “Truly a heart-tingling work of art.” The Grand Prize recognition at the Golden State Film Festival, one of Hollywood’s celebrated venues for independent cinema, underscores the film’s artistic excellence and its timely, uplifting message of resilience, self-discovery, and the enduring power of authenticity. Rita’s Song is available for streaming and screening inquiries. For more information, press kit, social media assets, or to view the film, visit http://ritassong.com. Follow updates on social media and IMDb: https://imdb.com/title/tt39321328

'Whispers From the Core' to Make its French Premiere at the 21st Festival Autour de l'Europe in Paris

2/10/2026

Whispers From the Core, the acclaimed experimental cinematic elegy directed and written by Marcelle Abela, has been officially selected to have its French premiere at the 21st Festival Autour de l'Europe. The festival - renowned for showcasing arthouse cinema and auteur films - runs from March 30 to April 13, 2026, at the Multicine Les 7 Parnassiens in Paris. This powerful nine-minute film binds the haunting legacies of Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Chernobyl. Through stark realism and poetic surrealism, Whispers From the Core explores the unspoken burdens of survivors and the ghostly echoes that resonate across generations.

Produced by Avinu Films, Whispers From the Core features an international cast, while the score - also composed by Marcelle Abela - showcases solo performances by violinist Nino Chikviladze, cellist Robert Cohen, and the young vocalist Daniel Miller. The film has already earned international recognition, including from the Hiroshima and Rochester International Film Festivals. Jurors have praised it as “a visually stunning, chilling reminder of something everyone needs to remember and never forget,” with “a haunting musical score.” The screening at Festival Autour de l'Europe marks a significant moment for Whispers From the Core to reach French audiences, offering a timely reflection on memory, survival, and the pursuit of peace.

New Zealand premiere for 'Whispers From the Core'

1/27/2026

Avinu Films proudly announces the Oceania premiere of the critically acclaimed short film Whispers From the Core, written and directed by Marcelle Abela. The 9-minute experimental cinematic elegy, which binds together the haunting legacies of Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Chernobyl, will screen at the Third Culture New Zealand Film Festival from March 9-15, 2026, at the Luxe Cinemas in Tauranga, New Zealand. Based on true events, Whispers From the Core explores survivors’ unspoken burdens, betrayal, and the generational silence that echoes across history.

Shot on ARRI Alexa with an original score by Abela featuring renowned soloists, the film has earned international recognition, including awards for Experimental Film and Original Score, Official Selections at prestigious festivals worldwide, and praise for its visceral reminder of humanity’s endurance and the urgent need for peace. “This film is a tribute to survivors and a call to confront uneasy truths about destruction and healing,” said director Marcelle Abela. For press inquiries, screenings, or interviews, contact: [email protected]

Award-Winning Experimental Film 'Whispers From the Core' and Inspiring Music Short 'Rita's Song' to Premiere Next Month in Hollywood

1/23/2026

Iconic Screenings Scheduled at TCL Chinese Theaters

Acclaimed Maltese-American filmmaker Marcelle Abela is set to have the Hollywood premiere of her poignant, award-winning experimental film Whispers From the Core and the collaborative music short Rita's Song as Official Selections at the prestigious Golden State Film Festival. Both works will screen at the legendary TCL Chinese Theaters on Hollywood Boulevard from February 27 to March 5, 2026. Whispers From the Core is a cinematic elegy that weaves together the haunting legacies of the nuclear catastrophes in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Chernobyl. Based on true events, the film explores the survivors' search for redemption amid treachery and loss, blending evocative visuals with a haunting original score. Meanwhile, Rita's Song is an uplifting music short documenting the real-life transition story of Rafaela Amrita Crevoshay (Rita), who embraced her true gender identity at the age of 76 years. Produced by Marcelle Abela in collaboration with composer Michael A. Levine (of Hans Zimmer fame), who wrote the original music and lyrics, Rita's Song features heartfelt performances by Angelica Innocente (vocals), Sam Levine (saxophone), and Michael Levine himself (keyboards), on a deeply personal narrative celebrating courage, authenticity, and transformation.

Marcelle Abela is an award-winning Maltese-American filmmaker, composer, and screenwriter, whose compelling feature and short documentaries have earned multiple accolades at international film festivals. Michael A. Levine is an accomplished composer and former Governor of the Emmy's, whose work spans film, television, and innovative projects. These premieres of Whispers From the Core and Rita's Song at the legendary TCL Chinese Theaters represent a milestone celebration of independent cinema, resilience, and artistic collaboration. Audiences are invited to experience these transformative stories on the big screen. For screening schedules and tickets, visit the Golden State Film Festival website.

'Whispers From the Core' Earns Acclaim for Original Score and Experimental Excellence

11/5/2025

Marcelle Abela's poignant experimental film Whispers From the Core has been honored with two prestigious awards at the 2025 IndieFest Film Awards: the Award of Merit Special Mention for Original Score and the Award of Recognition for Experimental Film. Based on true events, this haunting cinematic elegy explores survivors' untold stories under the charred veil of nuclear cataclysms, where generational silence echoes with the shrieks of forgotten ghosts. Directed, written, and produced by award-winning filmmaker Marcelle Abela, the 9-minute short features evocative performances, alongside a mesmerizing original score that amplifies its emotional depth. "These awards validate the raw vulnerability we poured into Whispers From the Core," said Abela. "It's a tribute to the resilient spirits scarred by history's deepest wounds, reminding us that whispers can roar when given voice." Whispers From the Core marks Abela's latest festival darling, following its world premiere at the Amadeus Cinema in Estonia and its upcoming American debut at the Culver City Film Festival. The film continues its acclaimed run, with a soundtrack album available via Avinu Films.

'Whispers From the Core' Named Finalist at the 68th Rochester International Film Festival

11/4/2025

Experimental short film illuminates the haunting legacies of nuclear catastrophe.

Marcelle Abela's poignant experimental short film Whispers From the Core has been named a finalist in the prestigious 68th Rochester International Film Festival (RIFF), taking place April 30 through May 2, 2026, in Rochester, New York. Called "a visually stunning, chilling reminder of something everyone needs to remember and never forget, with a vibrant and haunting musical score" by the festival's jury, Whispers From the Core weaves the devastating legacies of Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Chernobyl into a tapestry of betrayal, resilience, and whispered warnings from the earth's core. Produced under the Avinu Films banner, the film marks another milestone in Abela's acclaimed body of work that blends music, narrative, and visual poetry. "We are thrilled and deeply honored by this recognition from RIFF," said Abela. "This film is a call to listen to the whispers of our wounded world — may it resonate with all who watch it and inspire action." The Rochester International Film Festival, one of the oldest continually running film festivals in the United States, celebrates global cinema with a focus on innovative storytelling. Finalists compete for top honors, with screenings and the awards ceremony being held at the George Eastman Museum's famed Dryden Theater.

'Whispers From the Core' to Make American Premiere at the Iconic Kirk Douglas Theater

10/21/2025

Acclaimed experimental short delivers soul-stirring visions to Culver City's historic heart.

Marcelle Abela's experimental short film Whispers from the Core - The Silence We Cannot Speak will receive its American premiere as an official selection in the 2025 Culver City Film Festival lineup. The screening is set for early December at the legendary Kirk Douglas Theater — once known as the historic Culver Theater — a cultural cornerstone in Culver City that has captivated audiences since its 1924 debut as one of America's earliest movie palaces. Renamed in 2005 to honor the indelible legacy of screen icon Kirk Douglas, this gem of a cinema theater stands as a beacon of innovative storytelling, having hosted countless world premieres and transformative productions that have shaped American theater and cinema. This poetic odyssey into the depths of the unspoken scars of atomic history follows the film's world premiere at the Amadeus Cinema in Jõhvi, Estonia, on October 3, 2025.

Abela, a naturalized US filmmaker and composer of Maltese descent, channels her unparalleled fusion of musical prowess and narrative intimacy into this work. "This American bow at the Kirk Douglas Theater, amid the electric energy of the Culver City Film Festival, feels like destiny," Abela shares. "In a venue etched into film history — where silver-screen legends flickered to life and bold visions continue to ignite — Whispers from the Core will murmur its secrets to a community that thrives on artistic audacity. The festival screening, part of the 2025 Culver City Film Festival's December 5–11 program at this iconic address, opens doors at 7:00pm. Tickets for the full festival slate, including this premiere, are on sale now via the Culver City Film Festival website at culvercityfilmfestival.com, with options starting at accessible prices.

Whispers from the Core has already enchanted global audiences, earning fervent reviews that affirm its status as a must-see: "A moving and daring experimental film with a beautiful score," proclaimed one film critic; "The scenes provoked many emotions — a very beautiful poetic work," echoed a UK viewer; and "A truly excellent and immersive experience," raved another festival attendee. These accolades, drawn from its international debuts, herald the film's power to stir the soul and linger in the mind. Join this pivotal moment where Abela's visionary craft converges with the Kirk Douglas Theater's storied aura and the Culver City Film Festival's forward momentum — a celebration of cinema's unyielding spirit. For media inquiries, high-resolution assets, or interview requests, reach out to [email protected]

World Premiere: Marcelle Abela's haunting film 'Whispers From the Core' debuts at the Amadeus Cinema in Estonia

9/29/2025

A cinematic elegy for humanity's deepest wounds.

In a world still grappling with the echoes of unimaginable tragedy, Maltese-American filmmaker Marcelle Abela invites audiences to confront the unspoken scars of history with the world premiere of her latest narrative film Whispers From the Core. This experimental 9-minute drama makes its global debut on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Amadeus Cinema in Estonia as an Official Selection in the 3rd Anti-War International Film Festival. Directed, written, and composed by Abela, the film weaves a generational ritual of seeking and redemption amid the haunting shadows of Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Chernobyl. Based on true events, Whispers From the Core serves as a cinematic elegy, binding the poignant legacies of these nuclear cataclysms into a tapestry of betrayal, survival, and silenced cries for justice and peace in a world ravaged by war.

The ensemble cast brings raw emotional depth to Abela's vision, featuring Daigo Hirono as the Boy of Nagasaki, Aiko and Toru Ikemoto as the young victims of radiation poisoning due to "Little Boy," and The Man, The Girl, The Woman, The Children, and The People in pivotal roles. Abela's signature sonic layering elevates the narrative with an evocative original score, featuring soul-stirring contributions by Nino Chikviladze on the violin and Robert Cohen on the cello. "This film is my meditation on those buried voices of the innocent that history still attempts to mute and forget," says Abela. The official trailer, released just weeks ago, has already garnered attention for its evocative visuals and sound design, hinting at the film's immersive power.

Marcelle Abela, a trailblazing filmmaker, writer, and composer raised in Malta and now a naturalized U.S. citizen, founded Avinu Films and Sergius Records to champion stories of resilience, hope, and cultural memory. Her second feature documentary America's Woman (2024) explored a mysterious woman's pivotal role in George Washington's vision for independence, earning widespread festival acclaim. Abela's upcoming projects include the feature documentary Urakami, delving deeper into atomic legacies. Whispers From the Core arrives at a timely moment, reminding us of the fragile threads connecting past atrocities to present reckonings. The film is a must-watch for fans of poetic cinema and historical introspection.

'America's Woman' awarded Best International Documentary Feature Film in Hollywood

2/24/2025

The movie "America's Woman - A journey into America's past and future," written and directed by Marcelle Abela, has triumphed once more by winning Best International Documentary Feature Film at the 2025 Golden State Film Festival in Hollywood, California. Captivating people during its West Coast premiere at the legendary TCL Chinese Theaters last week, this film’s heart-rending exploration of America’s roots and destiny is resonating deeply with audiences and juries alike. Boasting an impressive tally of 24 global film festival awards, "America's Woman" is now streaming worldwide on the newly launched Avinu Films OTT channel.

'America's Woman' wins Best Political Film at the Festival Napoleon sur les Champs-Elysees

2/12/2025

The acclaimed documentary America's Woman - A Journey Into the Heart of America's Past and Future, written and directed by Marcelle Abela, has been awarded Best Political Film, after captivating audiences and jury alike during its French premiere at the Festival Napoleon sur les Champs-Elysees, held in partnership with the City of Paris. The festival was held at the iconic Club de l'Etoile Cinema, home to arthouse films and cult classics since the 1920s. Still going strong on the film festival circuit, America's Woman has won 23 awards to date, today's award being the first to be received in a political category. The documentary is set to have its Hollywood premiere on February 18 at the TCL Chinese Theatres, as an Official Selection in the 8th Golden State Film Festival.

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Music video rocks Hollywood's Golden State Film Festival

Iconic Screenings Scheduled at TCL Chinese Theaters

A cinematic elegy for humanity's deepest wounds.

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