Slamdance Film Festival 2025 Celebrates Global Independent Film, Announces Sparky Award Winners and AGBO Fellowship Recipient

Los Angeles, CA — The 31st Slamdance Film Festival, celebrated for fostering emerging talent in the filmmaking realm, recently unveiled the winners of the coveted Sparky Awards at a ceremony held at the DGA Theater Complex. This year’s festival, held on February 26, highlighted a trend toward recognizing female filmmakers with women directing over half the films featured this year. The festival showcased an ambitious array of 146 films, including 33 features, 104 shorts, and five episodic shows, from which 21 were world premieres. The event continued to exemplify its commitment to indie filmmakers by … Read more

Sikeston Lawyer Joseph C. Blanton, Jr. Honored with Prestigious Fellowship at National Legal Event

Nashville, TN — In a prestigious nod to his professional excellence, Missouri attorney Joseph C. Blanton, Jr. has been inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the legal profession’s most respected associations comprising the top one percent of lawyers in the United States. The induction ceremony took place at the college’s annual meeting on September 28 in Nashville, Tennessee, underscoring a milestone achievement in Blanton’s distinguished career. Blanton, a partner at the law firm of Blanton, Nickell, Collins, Douglas, Hanschen & Peters LLC, has been practicing law across Southeast … Read more

Discovering Unity and Unexpected Fellowship Through Jury Service

Dallas, Texas – Serving on a jury can be a daunting task, as it often requires sacrificing valuable time and interrupting our daily routines. However, one writer discovered the unexpected benefits of participating in this civic duty. Instead of trying to find excuses to be struck from the jury panel, the writer decided to embrace the experience and found it to be an eye-opening opportunity for personal growth and community engagement. Contrary to the homogeneous nature of many church communities, jury service brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. It provides a unique … Read more