NIVA DORELL DIRECTS CONNECTION III ENTERTAINMENT CORP.'S
WHAT ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS: WEEKEND GET-AWAY AIRING ON UPN

Friday, May 31 will be a big night for writer/director Niva Dorell. That's the evening she makes her television directorial debut on UPN with the broadcast of the latest installment of Connection III Entertainment Corp.'s award-winning franchise "WHAT ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS", airing at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on UPN.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS:WEEKEND GET-AWAY is a 2-hour network primetime movie based on an original special of the franchise, which won the NAACP Image Award and multiple Emmy nominations. Written by Kim Watson, the movie follows the trials and tribulations of three 16-year-old African-American girlfriends, and stars Keshia Knight Pulliam ("Rudy" from The Cosby Show), Angell Conwell, Monica McSwain, Kim Whitley, Alexis Fields, Ella Joyce and Louis Gossett, Jr. Beautifully shot and brilliantly acted, Dorell is confident that the movie will draw a large audience, and hopefully be picked up as a series. If that happens, WHAT ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS: WEEKEND GET-AWAY will be the first one-hour dramatic show devoted to African American teens on a major television network.

As Dorell describes it, "When the executive producers (Cleveland O'Neal and Brian E. O'Neal of Connection III Entertainment Corp.) first described the show to me as a 'Black Dawson's Creek', I got really excited because I knew there's nothing like that on TV right now. African American kids across the country are going to tune in and see themselves on the screen, and they're going to eat it up."

Telling stories that reflect the nuances and diversity of life is something that comes naturally to Dorell. The youngest child of an African American father and Israeli mother, Dorell imbues all of her work with a unique perspective. "My goal is to tell universal stories about people on the fringe, to get a mass audience to identify with the minority's perspective, and in that way bring people closer together." Citing William Wyler, Martin Scorcese, Norman Jewison and Spike Lee as a few of her favorite directors, Dorell's directing style blends evocative visuals with strong character development and performances.

People started taking notice of Dorell's unique voice and talent when she was a graduate student at USC film school. While at USC, she wrote and directed a 17-minute thesis film, KINGS, which was mentored by industry veterans Robert Zemeckis and John Singleton. It starred Michael Jace (series regular on The Shield) and Ricky Harris (Bones, Heat) and told the story of an African-American corporate attorney faced with the dilemma of reconnecting with his urban roots. The film screened and won awards at the Hollywood Black Film Festival, Urbanworld, Washington D.C. International Film Festival, and Slamdance, among others. KINGS also was included on AFROCENTRICITY, a DVD compilation dedicated to promoting up-and-coming African American directors. In 2000, Niva won the Showtime Black Filmmakers Grant, a prestigious grant given once a year to a filmmaker of color who shows promise.

Dorell's next film was MILK AND HONEY, an original short for Showtime which was executive produced by Pearlena Igbokwe and Dominique Telson. MILK AND HONEY tells the story of an interracial couple who meet in Texas 1953 and realize they have more in common than what meets the eye. MILK AND HONEY had its television premiere on Showtime during Black History Month (February) 2002, and its screening premiere at the Hollywood Black Film Festival and Pan African Film Festival. MILK AND HONEY screened at the Maryland Film Festival in May, 2002 and can be seen next at the San Francisco Black Film Festival June 12-16.

Besides her writing, one of Dorell's strongest skills is the ability to get very strong and believable performance from actors. Dorell says the key to her approach is the collaborative spirit. "I'll explain to an actor the character and back story, then be there to keep the actor on the right path. But I have found that the more an actor feels he/she is contributing and not just following orders, the more nuanced and layered the performance. I consider the actor my partner in telling the story."

Dorell is currently developing several feature projects with her producing partner Carol Ann Shine. Included on their development slate is a script they have optioned called DAD, which Spike Lee's 40 Acres and A Mule Productions has agreed to executive produce, along with a full-length adaptation of KINGS, and several treatments ranging from commercial to independent. Dorell has also directed a music video for Los Angeles-based rock band Darling Violetta.

Dorell received a B.F.A. in Communications from Temple University and an M.F.A. from the University of Southern California School of Cinema/Television.