And now, a great opportunity to cheer for the home team. Local filmmaker Ed Banuel's short Land of the Free, a film shot, cast and produced entirely in Atlanta, was featured in Showtime's Black Filmmaker Showcase in early February 2004.

The film, one of only five showcased, is the product of a grant from the Showtime Networks awarded to Banuel a year ago for his short film Unjust Cause. For this honor, the cable outlet gave Banuel $30,000, funds he then used to write, cast, direct and produce Land of the Free. The film premiered in Atlanta in late January.

In case you missed it, here's a verbal trailer of sorts. Set in the aftermath of 9/11, Land of the Free is the gripping story of an Arab-American man who becomes the victim of a hate crime that ends in murder. His only hope for freedom is an attorney with limited time and evidence to build a case.

Post-production services for Land of the Free were provided by LAB 601, and the film's executive producers include Erroll Bailey and Patrick Jones. The short stars some of Atlanta's finest talent, including Randy Cohlmia, Malcolm Spears, Jamie Renell, John Stoneburner, and Randy Weinstein.

Showtime awards just one Black Filmmaker Showcase grant per year, an honor that this year goes to Banuel, as well as to the Atlanta filmmaking community. Congratulations.