TORONTO PREMIERE OF "PEACH PLUM PEAR" AT FEMALE EYE FILM FESTIVAL

Alanna Masterson & Tyler Blackburn at Toronto Premiere of Peach Pear Plum

The ninth annual Female Eye Film Festival which showcases the work exclusively of female Directors, had one of its Marquee Premieres tonight at Rainbow Cinemas - Market Square.  Peach Plum Pear, the directorial debut by Alana Morshead has already been doing the Festival rounds south of the Border, but its Cast made that extra bit of effort to promote it here in Toronto, fielding questions from the audience following its screening.

The Drama which was made for a paltry $80k budget really was a "labour of love" according to one of its stars Mackenzie Phillips, who is already winning acclaim for her performance including a Best Actress Award at the Festival.   Phillips tapped into her Maternal instincts for her role of a Woman named Sharon, with a need to care for and protect, in being unable to have Children of her own.

Alanna Masterson, younger sister of That 70s Show star Danny, revealed that this project actually was a collaboration among friends and that she had floored her Friend of five years, Morshead and Screenwriter Samantha Genovese at her Audition - this her first-ever Feature Film.  There was a gap of one year between Masterson being cast and the Film actually beginning Production.

MACKENZIE PHILLIPS & TYLER BLACKBURN IN TORONTO FOR "PEACH PLUM PEAR"

Mackenzie Phillips & Mr. Will-W.

It was only a matter of time before she made her comeback and it would appear that Mackenzie Phillips is now ready for her close-up again. Actress and Author Phillips is in town right now promoting her new Film, Peach Plum Pear, from first-time Director Alana Morshead. The Drama is slated for a Premiere at the ninth annual The Female Eye Film Festival, which is taking place at theatres around the City. Her performance has already won her a Best Actress Award at the Festival, which celebrates Female Filmmakers.

Phillips' much-talked about past cannot be avoided in Google searches, but one thing I have admired about her is her true audacity and willingness to face her fears. I have been a devoted Fan of hers since my early Childhood when I would watch One Day at a Time with my Brothers in our Living Room. Since appearing in the spotlight again with her 2009 bestselling Memoir, High on Arrival which had peaked the interest of among others Oprah Winfrey, I have been affected genuinely by her courage in speaking out about Child Sexual Abuse. Since her appearance on Winfrey's Show, celebrities like Tyler Perry have gone on to speak publicly about their experiences on the matter too.

Phillips did a round of Press which included CTV's The Marilyn Denis Show earlier today, and programs like Canada AM and Entertainment Tonight Canada. Seeing her in an interview with Denis quite literally made my eyes wet with her honesty and recounting the estrangement she had experienced from her Family after revealing to the world her deepest, darkest secrets.