Florence's Full Bio Florence Regina founded Soleil Films in June 2002. Soleil Films has several feature film, television projects, and events, in different stages of development and production. Current projects in production include: “NOU LA TOUJOU! A CELEBRATION OF HAITI!” an educational cultural event taking place in June 2012 (Event); and “DIABETES AND ME”, in post-production (Documentary). Other projects in development include: INNOCENCE LOST, a psychological thriller (Screenplay); TURNOVER, BON VOYAGE, OCTOBER 30th, a psychological thriller (Screenplay); and “LI’L EFF & PEPPER”, an animated television series. Florence has partnered with Runaway Productions filmmaker, Linda Palmer, who is overseeing post-production of the documentary, “DIABETES & ME”. Currently in production is “HALLOWEEN PARTY” a comedy (Screenplay). They are scheduled to do a slate of three films from Florence’s previously mentioned slate. Past film productions include film festival favorites, "COPELESSNESS"; and “ART”. She also produced the short film, “BRINGING UP BAYBAY”, starring Mad TV’s Debra Wilson. She produced and directed the American Diabetes Association’s “2004 MAN OF DISTINCTION AWARD”, a tribute documentary. As an actress, film and TV credits include: America, Medium, The Shield, The Guardian, The Practice, Boston Public, ER, and more. She had a pivotal role in the Morgan Freeman film, "High Crimes," with Ashley Judd and Amanda Peete. Florence has had several national commercial spots. She has been seen in an elevator, dancing with Ellen Degeneres in an American Express commercial. She was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and moved to New York City when she was five years old. She began working in the entertainment industry in New York as an actor. Her stage credits include: Black Girl, Uncommon Women and Others, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide... and several original plays and musicals done at theaters in NYC. In New York, she produced, directed, and performed in "Facing Reality", a profit-making series of one-act plays. She has also performed in and directed improvisational children's theater and was a member of the Theateroke improv troupe at the NY Comedy Club. Also a cabaret singer, Florence has performed at the Village Gate, the Lamb's Club, and Cleopatra's Needle. Her talents have inspired a play, a grand-scale musical, and a part in a Robert Downey, Sr. movie. In Los Angeles, she received an Artistic Director Award for best production for Yabo Yablonski's "Cracks in the Sidewalk" at the American Renegade Theater. Florence also produced, directed and performed in the sketch comedy show "Absolute Sketch," at the Alliance Repertory Company. Other stage credits include: Memoirs Of A Ninja, The Brides, Blackberry Love, We Had A Dream, Crime Scene (Deprogramming Delilah), Business Lunch @ The Russian Tea Room, Get DeFLoweRed… Florence founded the group POWERRR (Professional Organization of Women Engaged in Results, Resources, and Renewal) in April 2007. In October 2007 she produced A FOCUS ON INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILMS: AN EVENING OF HAITIAN FILMMAKING for Women In Film/Los Angeles International committee and LA City Council President Eric Garcetti. She has booked top Entertainment Industry Executives for the Hollywood Networking Breakfast. Florence founded Voices of Change with Jill McWhirter, and Alex Silva in November 2009. One of the company’s first projects will be Faces of Diabetes, bringing focus and awareness to diabetes through performances and scenarios. Over the years she has travelled and spoken about Diabetes Awareness. She spent 2 years as a member of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Diabetes Association's African-American Diabetes Task Force. She has also spoken at several events on their behalf. She has worked with the Los Angeles Latino 5 a Day Campaign and spoken on their behalf promoting healthy eating and healthy living. As a person with diabetes herself, she finds this very rewarding. Some of Florence’s speaking engagements have included: University of California Santa Barbara, Center for Community & Family Services, East Los Angeles College, UC Cooperative Extension, Los Angeles Region Latino & Children’s 5 a Day Campaigns. On October 10, 2010, Soleil Films was invited by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs to take part in International African Diaspora Day, which is part of a 3-day festival called Shaping Black Culture that takes place annually. Soleil Films presented a preview of the upcoming educational festival called Nou La Toujou! A Celebration of Haiti, which will be taking place in 2012. This preview was called A Tribute to Haiti and was very well attended by Los Angelinos. Congresswoman Maxine Waters accepted an invitation to come to the event. It included a panel, Haitian cuisine, a local Haitian Band, and a group of dancers to set the mood. For more information on Nou La Toujou! A Celebration of Haiti! go to: http//www.noulatoujou.com Other memberships include: Screen Actors Guild, Women in Film; and Film Independent.