AVATAR: SPECIAL 3D EDITION ARRIVES IN THEATRES AUG. 27

"Avatar"--the highest grossing movie of all time--returns for a limited theatrical 3-D and IMAX 3D run on Aug. 27.

Director James Cameron's epic movie contains eight minutes of never before seen footage that includes a sexy love scene between Naytiri (Zoe Saldana) and Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) or as Cameron explained to MTV, it's really an "alien foreplay scene."

"Audiences repeatedly told me they wanted more of Pandora," said Cameron in a press statement regarding the upcoming film. "They wished they could have stayed there longer. So we're making that possible with "Avatar: Special Edition." Whether you already love the movie, or you've never seen it, with this special edition, you'll be seeing it like never before."

The Oscar and Golden Globe winning movie made more than $2.7 billion in worldwide box office. It's also the top-selling Blu-ray disc of all time. With "Avatar" Cameron takes audiences to a spectacular world beyond imagination, where a reluctant hero embarks on a journey of redemption and discovery as he leads a heroic battle to save a civilization.

THE COSBY PROGRAM ACCEPTING SCREENWRITING APPLICATIONS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 15, 2010

The Guy Hanks & Marvin Miller Screenwriting Program, aka The Cosby Program is continuing to accept applications now through September 15, 2010.

Already in its 17th year, the program was established by Drs. Bill and Camille Cosby at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. Unaffiliated with USC, the goal of the Hanks-Miller Program is to develop the pool of qualified African-American writers in the entertainment industry.

The program meets twice a week in the evenings for 15-weeks beginning February, 2011. It is designed to assist writers in completing a television or feature script, while giving them the opportunity to examine African-American history, culture and iconography. Tuition is free to those selected.

The program is not designed for beginning-level writers. They are seeking writers who have taken the initiative to study television or feature writing through workshops or classes; though a degree in cinematic writing or film-making is not required. In an industry that is extremely competitive, they have found their greatest success in assisting those who have a strong foundation in television or screen writing and have a body of work and training to show for their efforts.

Writers selected for this program usually have no produced credits, but are on the brink of great success. They are able to use the product and the relationships they create in this unique workshop environment to advance their careers. The Hanks-Miller Program is credited with introducing more successful African-American writers into the entertainment industry than any other program of its type.

Alumni of the program are highly respected and sought after. They are a primary recruiting source for the Disney Writing Fellowship, the Fox Diversity Program, the CBS Television Program, the Nickelodeon Writers' Program and the Warner Brothers Comedy and Drama Writing Program. Their alumni are represented by top agencies including UTA, William Morris, ICM , APA and CAA, to name a few.

Although obtaining employment is not the primary goal of the program, alumni have used relationships and scripts developed in the program to secure positions as television and feature writers, producers, directors and executives. Their writers have created, written and produced for top ten shows on televisions, as well as news and reality television shows. They have also completed countless freelance assignments.

Some of the shows their writers have recently written on or have been staffed on include: "Private Practice," "Cougar Town," "Criminal Minds," "Lincoln Heights," "Ghost Whisperer," "Saving Grace," "Bones," "Brothers," "House of Payne" and Sons of Anarchy. Their Feature writers have not only been produced, but have received honors through "Tribeca All Access," "Hollywood Black Film Festival," "Austin Film Festival" and "Fade In Magazine." They have also completed independent features and short films as well. Their writers have been recognized by organizations including the NAACP; while the Program itself has been recognized by the California Governor's office, a State Senator and the Los Angeles Mayor's office.

All are invited to apply or re-apply to the program. The Cosby Program is always seeking writers with talent and a drive for success. For more information or to obtain an application, visit: www.CosbyProgram.com.

DOLLY PARTON AND QUEEN LATIFAH TO STAR IN "JOYFUL NOISE"

According to The Hollywood Reporter country-music icon Dolly Parton, 64, is ready to step into the movie spotlight with Queen Latifah to star in the upcoming Warner Bros. movie "Joyful Noise."

The film is about a woman (Parton) who's widowed by a small-town gospel-choir director and a mom (Latifah) who's put in charge of the music group that Parton's character expected to step in and lead.

Director Todd Graff ("Camp") also wrote the script for "Joyful Noise."

Both Latifah and Parton find themselves in a familiar place. Latifah, 40 (who recently starred in the romantic comedy "Just Wright"), was an Oscar nominee for her acclaimed performance belting out the role of Mama Morton in the 2002 film musical "Chicago.' Although Parton hasn't appeared in a feature film since 1992's "Straight Talk," her memorable turn in the 1982 film musical "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and her Oscar-nominated contributions to 1980's "Nine to Five" soundtrack, she'll be in familiar territory crooning on set during the new collaboration.

Production on "Joyful Noise" is scheduled to begin in January.

ANGELA BASSETT TO STAR IN COMEDY "JUMP THE BROOM"

Romeo Miller and Angela Bassett have joined the cast of Columbia's upcoming wedding comedy "Jump the Broom." Salim Akil is directing the ensemble comedy for Columbia. Miller has been cast in the co-lead role of "Sebastion" a senior at Yale, athletic and gorgeous, he's Sabrina's, (Paula Patton) cousin, and when he meets Shonda (Tasha Smith) romantic sparks fly.

The film follows the story of two black families with very different socioeconomic backgrounds that clash during a weekend wedding on Martha's Vineyard. Bassett will play the role of Patton's mother, an heiress and huge figure among the Washington elite, in the film. Miller will play Patton's cousin in the film while Miller plays her love interest. Filming on the project is scheduled to begin soon in Nova Scotia.

Bassett just completed filming her role as Dr. Amanda Waller in Warner Bros. upcoming comic adaptation "Green Lantern." She has also just recently begun casting for her directorial debut; a film entitled "United States." That project will get underway in the fall.

Miller recently starred in a horror film "Pig People." Romeo is best known for starring in the self-titled #1 Nickelodeon series Romeo from 2004 - 2006. Romeo also co-starred in Universal's feature film "Honey." He's been named one of the Top 5 Sexiest Men in the World, and has most recently spent his time as a student-athlete at USC playing Varsity basketball and studying in film. Tracey Edmonds says, "Romeo is a dedicated actor, he's poise and charming. He has the potential to be Hollywood's next leading man."

PRIME TIME PROMOTIONS FOCUSES ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN TALENT

Prime Time Promotions (PTP) LLC Management and Booking is a small company on a big mission. PTP is an African-American owned management and booking entertainment agency whose primary focus is to promote the Next Generation (NEXTGEN) of artists and entertainers who are top performers, but have not yet received that one break to make them a household name.

By connecting these artists and entertainers with corporations, magazines, media, businesses, sponsors, investors, talent buyers and the general public locally and around the world allows these artists and entertainers a vehicle to be showcased their talents where they might not have had the opportunity available to them without the PTP services. This is done by networking, marketing and promotions to provide PTP's clients quality and affordable entertainment without having to pay for that high ticket price for the major mega names.

All of their artists are seasoned entertainers and have either headline or featured on stage. They have artists and entertainers for all occasions including but not limited to comedy, fashions, gospel, hypnotist, magicians ventriloquists, tribute showcases, hip-hop, jazz, R&B, southern soul, spoken word and even DJ's.

Just recently, PTP created a development program that allows young adults in school to pursue their dreams while continuing their education in High School. These artists and entertainers can be found on the PTP web site at www.PrimeTimePromotions.com (click on the "Artist" tab to see and hear them perform live). Aspiring artists and entertainers who think they have what it takes to join the PTP family can visit the site and click on "Forms" to submit their electronic press kits.

PTP has also added a new business network database that links small and large business to each other and customers from around the world. To get listed, interested ones can visit the site and click on "Business Listings" and register their business or organization into the database and let the power of the Internet do the rest.

For more information, go online at www.PrimeTimePromotions.com or email info@PrimeTimePromotions.com or call them directly at (757) 478-9634 and ask for Gene Munns.

Editor's Note: Some information used in this report obtained with permission from BlackNews.com and publicity department press releases.