"F5", the First-Ever Red Cross Movie Swirls Into Local Theater
Monday, June 1, 2009

Studio Movie Grill to Host FREE Premiere Event on Thursday, June 4

It’s here! “F5”, the first-ever Red Cross movie, will make its public debut on the big screen at Studio Movie Grill, 11170 N. Central Expressway in Dallas, on Thursday, June 4, 2009 with showings at 6:00p.m., 7:00p.m. and 8:00p.m.

“F5” focuses on the devastating results of a mass tornado outbreak across the Metroplex, and how the community can help. In the movie, viewers will follow the story lines of several characters including Paul, a teen-aged boy who gets separated from his Grandma Rose during the storm. Enrique, a Hispanic man who speaks no English, suffers the worst pain imaginable. Mr. and Mrs. Van Dyke, self-made millionaires, find themselves sitting on cots in a Red Cross shelter. 

With actual F5 tornado footage shot by local storm chaser, Tim Marshall, the movie is sure to get pulses pounding as the storm bears down on North Texas. 

A partnership between the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter and SCOMPA (Southwest Community of Motion Picture Artists) and comprised of an all volunteer cast and crew, “F5” has been months in the making, including professional casting calls and more than 100 hours of production time. 

“When we initially talked about the idea of making a movie with the volunteers at SCOMPA, our goal was to create a project that would inspire people to take action before a storm hits,” said Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, chief executive officer, American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter. “What SCOMPA has given us has exceeded all of our expectations. The film really tells the story of not only the Red Cross, but of the people who find themselves in such desperate need after a catastrophic event. It may only be an 18-minute film, but it packs a punch. And, the film isn’t just fiction.”

The premise of the film is based on actual research by the National Weather Service and the North Texas Council of Governments. Following the 1999 F5 tornado outbreak in Oklahoma, these government agencies took that storm system and laid it on top of the Metroplex. The results were staggering. Some 250,000 people would be displaced from their homes and the Red Cross calculates that 40,000 would need shelter within the first 24 hours. Today, the Red Cross can shelter 8,000 people. More than 14,000 volunteers would be needed to assist the 60,000 displaced families. Today, the Dallas Area Chapter has 3,300 volunteers.

“F5” will serve as a call-to-action for North Texans to get involved while the sky is blue. Now is the time to volunteer, to give blood and to become a financial contributor.

Admission is free to the public showing of “F5”. After the premiere, the film will be placed on YouTube and accessible by going to www.redcrossdallas.org/F5.