Red Carpet Photos
Photography by Meredith Whitefield
Over 200 guests and local officials attended the EMERGE + GRIND Red Carpet Live Film Premiere and Emmy® Awards Celebration at CityPlex12 Newark Theater, presented by DreamPlay Media, New Jersey Symphony and Plusable PR. The memorable event showcased New Jersey-made independent films directed by Yuri Alves and produced by Newark-based DreamPlay Films and Igor Alves. The Alves brothers celebrated their recent EMMY® Award wins for EMERGE, a concert film trilogy starring Xian Zhang and the New Jersey Symphony, and for GRIND, a format-bending short film starring fitness influencer Robert “NDO Champ” Wilmote. DreamPlay Films and Yuri Alves also earned a total of four Emmy®️ Award nominations in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
Event Photos
Photography by Armando Diaz
The program at the SHAQ-DX premium auditorium kicked off with remarks by Newark Deputy Mayor Ligia DeFreitas and Councilmember-at-Large Louise Scott-Rountree. The ceremony continued with DreamPlay Films’ presentation of EMMY® statuettes to their partners at New Jersey Symphony, represented by Marshell Jones Kumahor, and NDO Nation, represented by “NDO Champ” Robert Black Wilmote. The main film program at the SHAQ-DX premium auditorium featured 4K presentations of “TRANSCEND (excerpt)”, “Tap With Me” starring Maurice Chestnut, “The Portal”, “GRIND” and a special “Maverick Cut” of the “EMERGE Concert Film Trilogy”. Featured performers from EMERGE, Cori Barnes, M.A. Taylor, Neguin, as well as the local film team were recognized and joined for a group photograph.
After-Party Photos
Photography by Armando Diaz
The celebration continued past 2AM at Allegro Lounge, with music by DJ Miguel Casimiro, DJ Jon Canoo, and live musical performances by J Read, Raphael Sax and Carlos Ferreira. Special thanks to Newark City Historian Junius Williams for joining in attendance, and Newark East Ward Councilman Michael Silva, who announced his intention to award Yuri Alves and Igor Alves with a Proclamation of Merit on behalf of the City of Newark.
The event was made possible, in part, by The City of Newark Creative Catalyst Fund in partnership with Newark Arts, with additional support provided by Newark Happening.
For EMERGE, Alves and the DreamPlay Films team captured the NJ Symphony performances live at NJPAC with a highly immersive and uniquely intimate camera approach, while filming on ultra-high-definition RED cinema cameras. EMERGE expands the universe of orchestral music through a mix of live stage performance, stunning visuals, mesmerizing dance sequences and format-bending elements on and off stage.
EMERGE: An NJ Symphony Concert Film Trilogy
GRIND is a format-bending profile of Robert Black Wilmote (@NDO_Champ), directed by Yuri Alves, which reveals the story of a Liberian refugee forced to flee the most drastic and terrible circumstances imaginable. Through dramatic reenactments, featuring Robert Wilmote himself, we discover how Robert’s struggle led him from prison life on to his journey as an inspiration to millions of people.
GRIND: The Robert Wilmote Story
EMMY® AWARD RECOGNITION
DreamPlay Films and Yuri Alves earned two Emmy® Awards this year, and a total of four Emmy® nominations in the Mid-Atlantic Region. EMERGE Part 1 was honored with the Emmy® in the “Long-Form Content” category, and Yuri Alves won a “craft” Emmy® Award in the “Editing” category, for his work on GRIND and EMERGE Part 3. DreamPlay Films and Yuri Alves also earned Emmy® nominations for TRANSCEND, in the “Documentary” category, and EMERGE Part 2, in the “Long Form Program” category. All nominated films were broadcast by NJPBS and PBS online, where they remain available to watch.
The Emmy® Awards recognize excellence within various areas of television and emerging media, and are voted on by members of the National Academy of Television of Arts and Sciences. The NATAS Mid-Atlantic Region is a non-profit, professional association with 700+ members in PA, NJ & DE representing the broadcasting industry.
YURI ALVES
Yuri Alves is a multiple award-winning filmmaker who has written and directed films, primetime television programs and commercial projects in the U.S. and Europe. His most renowned short films include “Grind” “On the Cusp” “Broken Clouds” “Exit Road” “Echoes of Fado” and “EMERGE“, earning over 20 festival awards. Alves directed two critically acclaimed, primetime television series in Portugal: “Tempo Final” and “Filha da Lei“. Alves was born in Brazil and grew up in Newark, NJ, where he has set many of his films. Alves is the Co-Founder and Creative Director at DreamPlay Media. Yuri received a Bachelor’s degree in Media Arts from New Jersey City University.
DreamPlay Films, part of DreamPlay Media, is an Emmy® award-winning independent film production company, producers of narrative and documentary films and more.
DreamPlay Media is a multiple award-winning integrated creative media company: producers of brand and original storytelling, film production and more.
Based in Newark, New Jersey.
The New Jersey Symphony connects with the people and diverse communities of New Jersey through the power of live symphonic music to inspire, entertain and educate. The NJ Symphony has presented innovative programs with fellow arts organizations, community ensembles and statewide partners. The New Jersey Symphony will redefine what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century.
