'Freshman' Filmmaker From Dublin Walking Red Carpet In San Ramon

SAN RAMON, CA — "Freshman Year" is the first indie feature film for newcomer Jude Okwudiafor Johnson of Dublin. He co-wrote, produced and directed the movie, and Saturday he'll be walking the red carpet with cast, crew and celebrity friends in San Ramon for the film's premier at The Lot City Center.

"Freshman Year" tells the story of a preacher's son and a basketball player, CJ, whose path intertwines with Marcella, a cheerleader and the first in her family to attend college. They both leave their sheltered homes and different backgrounds to face the real world of battling peer pressure, and falling in love.

Their freshman year takes a different turn, when a life-altering decision threatens to bring their dreams to a halt, and disappointment to their families. The film shows the fun, freedom and friendships of college life, real-life scenarios that students face, and the challenges of standing for what they believe in.

The film's cast includes Diallo Thompson, Benjamin Onyango, Natalia Dominguez, Desalene Jones, Saeed Renaud, and Gregory Alan Williams. Anchor Media Group, a Christian media company, is the studio behind "The Freshman."

The film is set for a Sept. 16 release at theaters in California, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Illinois, and Maryland. More cities will be added with the Cinema on Demand option for churches and schools. The Lot City Center is among the theaters to screen the film starting next month.

Saturday's red carpet event takes place 3:30-4:30 p.m. on the second level, near The Lot entry. The public is welcome to stop by, but organizers ask that patrons be respectful of the other businesses and customers by not obstructing any walkways. Saturday's premiere screening is sold out with a waiting list, but tickets will be available to film when it opens at The Lot next month.

The Lot City Center is located at 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road.

View "The Freshman" trailer at www.FreshmanYearMovie.com. The film is currently not rated.