Jack Palance to chair Hollywood foundation

LOS ANGELES - "We are happy to see the creation of this foundation and look forward to its impact on the Ukrainian community worldwide." That is how Oscar-winning Hollywood actor Jack Palance responded after signing his name to the articles of incorporation of the Hollywood Trident Foundation, a new charitable organization formed by members of the Hollywood Trident Network in Los Angeles.

The goal of the new foundation will be "through education and the arts to encourage film-makers to study, film and present the contribution of Ukrainian people worldwide to the evolution of modern civilization, including Ukrainian contributions to film-making from its beginning to modern times." Mr. Palance is the chairman of the board of directors of the new body.

Peter Borisow, president of Entertainment Finance Management, and president of the new body added, "Ukrainians have played important roles in the film industry since its inception. We hope that the Hollywood Trident Foundation will not only encourage those working in the industry, but also demonstrate and teach an international audience about Ukrainians and their contributions - past and present - to the art and business of film and media worldwide."

In addition to Messrs. Palance and Borisow, the foundation's articles of incorporation were also signed by Luba Keske, senior vice-president - administration, business affairs at MGM Pictures; Jim Makichuk, Hollywood director and screenwriter who also teaches part time at UCLA; and Los Angeles attorney Andriy Semotiuk, who will act as executive director of the body.

The articles of incorporation are now being registered with the California Department of State and, following registration, will serve as the basis for obtaining IRS Section 501 (c) (3) charitable status to enable the foundation to issue tax-deductible receipts to future donors.

Initial discussions envision a board of directors consisting of nine people, five of whom will come from the Los Angeles area. The new foundation hopes to attract board members from some of the other major foundations and institutions in the Ukrainian community in North America, and also hopes to include three honorary members nominated from the Producers Guild of Ukraine. Board members will be expected to be active and serve a three-year term.

Foundation members have had preliminary discussions with faculty and administration officials at UCLA and said they are encouraged by the prospect of undertaking some film-related projects in conjunction with the Ukrainian students' club there.

Mark Semotiuk, president of the UCLA Ukrainian Students' Club, has asked the Ukrainian community at large to contact any Ukrainian students currently at UCLA, or other colleges in the Los Angeles vicinity, and ask them to get in touch with him. He may be reached by email at [email protected] or through the Hollywood Trident Network, c/o Andriy Semotiuk, Manning & Marder, 6605 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90017.

The Hollywood Trident Foundation will work closely with both the Hollywood Trident Network and the Ukrainian Student's Club at UCLA. While the network will continue to attract entertainment-related individuals for networking purposes, the students club will seek to bring together Ukrainian students in the Los Angeles area.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, January 6, 2002, No. 1, Vol. LXX

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