HOLLYWOOD, CA - May 21, 2009

Nonprofit Ticci Man Project has formally asked over 270 top Hollywood celebrities to come together and show industry unity and support for ending racism and discrimination in Hollywood for Native Americans.

In support of its claims, the group notes that over 4,000 films depict racist or stereotype American Indians while only a tiny fraction do not. The recent blockbuster film Twilight was condemned by Native America for failing to use actual Native Americans for some roles.

"The Twilight Series is one of few commercial films, a script, and a story with Native American roles." said Lydia Ponce, spokesperson for Native Americans. "It is a sad day to see that the big power agents are marketing Filipino and Asian celebrity actors to play Native Americans. These are such rare opportunities. When films like Twilight knowingly and willfully select non-Native American actors to play Native roles, it sends the message that we're not good enough to represent ourselves,” she said in a recent interview.

The Ticci Man film and series focuses on modern and traditional Native America and all the major roles were written for Native American talent, said Bonn, the series creator. We will not sell out Native America just to get a film done so some prestigious companies and people can indulge racism and discrimination in Hollywood—this sort of thing has no place in our industry—Native Americans can do “A” level projects like anybody else, he said.

TMP could be history in the making on several levels. For the first time ever, a commercial film and television series has pledged a portion of it profits to the nonprofit component of the project before filming has begun. Second, the project is seeking to create the very first Indian superhero, planning world-wide series airing in 12 to 24 countries as well as broadcast airing in the US toward a 200 million global audience. Third, the project is tied itself directly to several major nonprofit components, all benefiting Native America in a unique grass roots effort that involves both Hollywood’s crème de la crème celebrities and Native America as well as world citizens.

A planned jewel crown event, tentatively named the Ticci Man Project Celebrity Gala, is being haled as the year’s second Oscars by producers. The red carpet charity gala will stretch over five days to allow for celebrity photo-shoot ceremonies with celebrities officially signing a featured wall-size art. The commissioned painting will be cast from the original version by the winner of event’s Native American Art Contest that will run earlier in the season. The final night of the event will culminate with a spectacular theater, music, and dance extravaganza featuring Native American talent under the eyes of a star studded audience. The event is planned as an international broadcast event and will likely be held in the famed Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

“We are not out to demonize Hollywood, quite the opposite—to celebrate both Hollywood and Native America while raising issue awareness. We want to set the example of offering respect and equality to Native America in Hollywood with our film and series project in hopes that others will follow,” said Bonn. “I don’t think Hollywood is being racist as much as it’s being status quo and insensitive, focused more on capitalism than on people, society, and equality” he said. “Celebrating what brings us all together—art and craft—theater and talent—is much better than divisive approaches that cast ugliness—most of us love Native America but now it’s time we all show it!”

The project came about earlier this year when producers discovered project funding would be contingent on filling the Native American roles with Whites and Hispanics rather than Native Americans. The company refuses to disclose names of companies or executives or others who have acted racist or discriminatory, claiming such negativism does not serve either Hollywood or those victimized by racism overtly or covertly. Instead, they wish to simply promote the wonders and greatness of Native America and have asked top celebrities to join the cause in a positive light to show major industry solidarity and support.

The project is still looking for major funding and sponsorship for both the commercial and nonprofit aspects of the project. Volunteers for the nonprofit as also being sought to help generate success on behalf of Native America. Hollywood rank and file are also being solicited to get involved with lending aid and expertise to the project. Public donations can be sent my mail or made online.

Learn More on the TMP websites

www.ticciman.com / www.konticci.org

Company Information

Imajilan Pictures™, originally founded as Firelight Films on the Fox Studios Baja lot, recently reopened under its new name and is headed by Zelan Bonn, MBA with key advisors Harry Heeks, David Skinner, and David Bartlett who have a combined 100 years of industry experience. The company is located in San Diego and Palm Springs but intends offices in Los Angeles later this year. Officials are forming Kon Ticci International to be a 501 (c) nonprofit employing Native Americans to oversee all nonprofit aspects of the project. The company has secured third party CPA Roger Peterson to oversee all nonprofit funding.