March 29, 2012 (Philadelphia, PA) American screenwriter, film director, producer, and screenwriting educator, Rel Dowdell in partnership with Philly First Entertainment releases his second feature film, “Changing The Game” on Friday, May 11, 2012 exclusively at AMC Theatres locations in Philadelphia, New York City, Washington DC, Atlanta, and Chicago before being released nationwide. 

The drama, shot in Philadelphia, stars veteran actors Tony Todd (Candyman, 24 & The Event); Irma P. Hall (Soul Food, The Lady Killers & Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil); and actor/rapper Kirk “Sticky Fingaz” Jones (Blade: The Series, Law & Order, NCIS: LA & The Shield) as principals in the movie.

“Changing the Game,” is a searing and poignant tale about a young African-American male who, with the spiritual guidance of his grandmother, rises above the ferocious and oppressive streets of North Philadelphia to being a shining star in the lucrative world of high finance at Wall Street’s most prestigious firm. However, he soon finds that the white-collar world is filled with crime and death just like the malignant environment he thought he left behind. His only chance of survival is to fully integrate a mysterious gift from a slain childhood friend fully into the fabric of his character. 

“Everyone involved with this highly ambitious landmark project truly expects it to accomplish some remarkable things. I want the film to truly personify its title. I want it to change the way African-American films and filmmakers are perceived. This is a diverse tale with diverse characters in a diverse world, which is what we live in today. Nikkole Denson-Randolph, AMC Independent, and Barnholtz Entertainment have opened an invaluable theatrical door at AMC Theatres for this film to shine and find its audience,“ states Dowdell.

Dowdell has been compared to Directors John Singleton and Spike Lee in the way that his filmmaking blends urban storytelling and suspense to tackle relevant and universal social issues that are intimately intertwined with a powerful moral message. 

Dowdell also wrote and directed the successful African-American themed film in 2005 for Sony Pictures, “Train Ride,” which grossed over $20 million in revenues and starred Wood Harris (of HBO’s acclaimed series “The Wire”), and female rap pioneer M.C. Lyte along with film icon Esther Rolle. 

“Changing The Game” has already seen success with the recent landing of a distribution deal with AMC Theatres, the second-largest motion picture exhibitor in North America and Barnholtz entertainment, a leading independent distributor. 

Check out these interviews with the Rel Dowdell, the cast, and the crew of “Changing the Game.”

Here are the links to the official trailers for Changing the Game and Train Ride:

“Changing the Game” – https://vimeo.com/34988225

“Train Ride” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1ZO4JZcpyw