Premiere of the first-ever alum focused film, The Durojaiye Siblings – A Shared Journey of Dreams, connects alums, faculty, staff, friends and family in the spirit of celebration.
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After a full year of working on The Durojaiye Siblings – A Shared Journey of Dreams, the film premiere date finally arrived. Not even a torrential rainstorm that appeared out of nowhere and slowed traffic to a crawl, could deter our team and panel of experts. Afterall, this is the first time that Barry University had produced a full-length film focused on alumni success and we planned to set a high standard.
Inside the Gato Gallery on our Miami Shores campus, the audio-visual team was eagerly conducting final sound checks. The hors d’oeuvres were perfectly arranged in the adjoining room along with crisp white table linens, gorgeous floral centerpieces and, of course, an autograph station. The red carpet was rolled out anticipating the arrival of our film stars.
Kim Beers, executive producer, was mentally rearranging the show’s agenda just in case the rain required her to accommodate the late arrival of our honored guests. Friends of the film leads had already started to arrive, and faculty were sending texts to let the team know they were indeed stuck in traffic. At one point, Edwin Jubis from the audio-visual staff held up his phone and announced that traffic was “red in all directions” around campus.
Then suddenly, as if by magic, the rain stopped. Everything was right back on track as our honored guests arrived. Friends and colleagues, hugged, laughed, and took turns getting photographs on the red carpet.
The studio audience listened intently as the executive producer shared necessary instructions and introduced the La Barra film team, while enjoying a sneak peek of the evening as they thumbed through their playbills. The excitement was palpable as the panel of experts took their seats at the front of the room.
At exactly 7:00pm, Dr. Jeff Ritter greeted the live and virtual audiences, then proceed with the main event, the historic and inspiring film premiere. Inside the Gato Gallery the audience was very engaged; clapping, laughing, and even crying at some of the testimonial moments and stories expressed by Bukky and Dapo. Our virtual guests commented throughout the film with congratulations and reflections of pride and emotional connection. One virtual viewer even shared, “Goosebumps just listening and watching.”