New York Mixed Martial Arts - Feature Film

**sambosteve** · Posted On: 4/22/2011 11:46am

The Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York is very pleased to announce that the film we have been working on with Kahleem Poole - Tejada for nearly a year now, New York MMA, has been accepted as an Official Selection in the First Annual Bronx Week Film Festival!

This is a momentous occasion for MMA in New York as we have struggled to reach the mainstream media with our message that MMA needs to be legalized and regulated in our state. This festival offers an excellent opportunity to reach average New Yorkers, the New York political elite, and promote the sport we love in a fair and balanced light.

This first annual festival runs in tandem with Bronx Week. Olympia Film Locations, Inc has been tasked by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr, to establish, coordinate, and manage this new festival. The Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York is honored to be a part of it.

Bronx Week runs from May 12th - 22nd and concludes with the Bronx Ball, a black tie fundraiser for the Bronx Overall Community Development Corporation, on Saturday May 21st. The film festival will run from May 16th - 19th, with a concluding gala on the 19th. The top three films will be honored.

New York MMA, is currently scheduled to open the festival on Monday, May 16th!

For more information on Bronx Week, how to buy tickets for this festival and how to support the Bronx Overall Community Development Corporation stay tuned to this page:
http://nymmanow.blogspot.com/p/new-york-mma-film.html

We will continually update the film's web page and Facebook fan page with the latest information, websites, and news regarding the Bronx Week Film Festival.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Yo...56161911115347

New York Mixed Martial Arts
(Kahl One Film Productions & The Coalition to Legalize MMA in NY, 2011)

New York MMA is an enthralling documentary that provides a back seat view of the grass roots struggle to legalize and regulate the professional sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) in New York State. New York is one of a handful of states in which MMA is still outlawed; sacrificing jobs and millions of dollars in revenue to neighboring states and countries since 1997. In his first feature length film, Bronx native, martial artist and filmmaker Kahleem Poole – Tejada presents an intimate account of the struggle to legalize MMA through the lens of one amateur fighter’s (Bradley Desir) quest to turn professional under the guidance of his coach (Stephen Koepfer). Viewers are offered a rare glimpse behind the curtain of the political, sometimes frightening, and always exciting world of mixed martial arts.

PRODUCER:
Stephen Koepfer

DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY, AND EDITOR:
Kahleem Poole-Tejada

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR:
Levan Reginald Hines

CAMERA:
Robert Billings

STARRING:
Bradley Desir
Stephen Koepfer

SPECIAL APPEARANCES BY:

Josh Barnett
Gesias Calvacante
Fedor Emilianenko
Justin Klein
Tara LaRosa
New York Assemblyman Dean Murray
Nestor Marte
New York City Councilman Joel Rivera
Bas Rutten
Oleg Savitsky
Frank Shamrock
Mike Straka
Dana White

And more...

RUNNING TIME:
60 minutes

**Tonuzaba** · Posted On: 4/22/2011 11:49am

Looks great, looking forward seeing it! Keep up the good work in NY, Steve!

**LiamSP** · Posted On: 4/22/2011 1:30pm

You are such a G, Steve.
Good work on fighting a good fight.

**Killing Moon** · Posted On: 4/23/2011 11:58pm

Osu!!!

**sambosteve** · Posted On: 4/25/2011 1:26am

Here are some stills from the film :)

**sambosteve** · Posted On: 4/25/2011 1:30am

Please "like" our facebook fan page!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Yo...56161911115347

Wednesday night Kahleem and I will be on Knoqout Radio live, talking about the film. The show can also be downloaded as a podcast on iTunes.
http://knoqoutmma.com/

**Killing Moon** · Posted On: 4/28/2011 10:11pm

For everyone who missed it, the KnoqOut MMA Radio segment is available to download now.
We're on the last 15min. of the show, so go catch it now:
http://knoqoutmma.com/818

**sambosteve** · Posted On: 4/30/2011 5:34pm

LOL...never knew you were Killing Moon Kahleem :)

**sambosteve** · Posted On: 5/05/2011 1:54pm

Had our press screening last night! Reviews are starting to come it:

"New York Mixed Martial Arts shows the audience the fiery yet kind heart of the sport's culture and dares them not to like it."
- Peter Lampasona, US Combat Sports
http://uscombatsports.com/index.php?...768&Itemid=325

"It is a rare glimpse inside MMA, but it is a gem at the same time because it will open your eyes and help you understand that this sport is so much more than punches, kicks, and choke holds."
-Shawn Baran, TheGarv.com
http://thegarv.com/Film-Review-MMA-i...-Festival.html

**sambosteve** · Posted On: 5/06/2011 11:01am

More reviews coming in:

"Thumbs Up for ‘New York Mixed Martial Arts’ Documentary"
Jim Genia, MMAConvert

http://www.mmaconvert.com/2011/05/05...8MMAConvert%29