Hollywood comes to Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. — Action for Children, a nonprofit devoted to improving the lives of children and youth in North Carolina, brought Hollywood stars to Raleigh Thursday for a special presentation of the award-winning feature film, “Simple Things.”

Actors in the movie include Joshua Leonard (“Blair Witch Project”), Amber Benson (“Buffy: The Vampire Slayer”), Mickey Jones (“Sling Blade,” TV’s “Home Improvement”), Melissa Fitzgerald (“West Wing”), Zac Gardner (“Akeelah and the Bee”), Channing Nichols (“Six and The City”) and Edie McClurg (“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”). Jones, Gardner and Nichols were on hand for the event held at the Rialto Theater in Raleigh.

The movie is inspired by the book "The Window of Childhood: Glimpses of Wonder and Courage" by retired pediatrician Dr. Olson Huff, Action for Children's senior fellow of health. The movie was filmed and financed locally. 

Cameron Bancroft (“Love and Human Remains,” TV’s “24”) stars as Dr. Evan Gibbs, who takes his 10-year-old son, Nate (Aidan Mitchell), to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina after the sudden death of his wife to cancer to set up a medical clinic in the small town of Dunn’s Rock. Through the support of the town’s mayor, Terry Hudson (Asheville native Bellamy Young, “Mission Impossible III”) and her daughter, Christina (Nichols), Gibbs and his son discover more than they expect.

 

The movie recently swept the International Family Film Festival in Los Angeles, taking home three awards, including the coveted “Spirit Award” for the film that captured the true essence of a family film; the “Audience Award,” celebrating the film most enjoyed by attending audiences; and the “Best Child Actor in a Supporting Role,” which was awarded to Aidan Mitchell (FX’s “The Riches”).