• The combined worldwide sales of his first 9 novels, translated in 41 languages, have been published to 19 million copy mark. Marc Levy is the most read French author in the world.
  (Source for all rankings and figures: Ipsos/Livres Hebdo/Le Figaro)
  
  
• Passionate about film, Marc Levy also writes screenplays.
  
  
• In 2003, he directed a short film, Nabila's Letter, adapted from a short story that he co-wrote with Sophie Fontanel for Amnesty International's short story collection, Short Stories for Freedom. Shot for an international communications campaign for Amnesty International, the short was screened in 2004 in the context of the organization's campaign against violence against women. The film was selected for the Valenciennes Short Film Festival.
  
  
• Marc Levy lives in New York.

Marc Levy

Blake Crouch

was born near the piedmont town of Statesville, North Carolina in 1978. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 2000 with degrees in English and Creative Writing. 2004 and 2005 saw the publications of his first two novels, DESERT PLACES and LOCKED DOORS.

Beginning in late 2005, and inspired by his relocation to Durango, Colorado, he has been researching and writing a book set in the past and present in a remote mining town high in the San Juan Mountains. The resulting novel, ABANDON, will be published by St. Martin’s Press in the summer of 2009. Blake lives with his family in southwest Colorado, where he is at work on a new book.

www.blakecrouch.com

JD Wood

Unter den Künstlern, für die er schrieb, produzierte und arrangierte, befanden sich z. B. auch die Sängerin Melanie Thornton, Jam and Spoon, Erasure und Ralph Siegel, für den er im Rahmen der Fußballweltmeisterschaft `94 einen Titel arrangierte, der auch von der damaligen Mannschaft mitgesungen wurde.

Ein weiteres Highlight seiner musikalischen Karriere aber ist sicherlich die Zusammenarbeit mit der Geigerin „Vanessa Mae“, für die er den Titel „I still can hear your voice“ komponierte und auch selbst als Sänger performen durfte.

Das jedoch einschneidenste Erlebnis ergab sich im Jahr 2002, als JD Wood seinen ersten eigenen Text schrieb. Es folgten natürlich seit dieser Zeit viele weitere.

2 seiner Songs erreichten beim „UK Songwriting Contest 2009“ das Semi-Finale unter 6000 teilnehmenden Titeln. Momentan befindet sich JD Wood in der Produktionsphase für sein 2. Album. Zudem hat er 2009 für die Angehörigen der Opfer des Amoklaufs von Winnenden den Song mit dem Titel „Why“ geschrieben und fühlt sich sehr geehrt, dass er für den „Artist for Freedom Song“ „Going Home“ als Sänger auserwählt wurde.

Lisa Hugo

Born in Melbourne in 1969, Lisa discovered her passion for music at an early age. Encouraged by her musical family, she began piano lessons at the age of six.

As lead singer to perform from behind the piano is a rare and distinctive talent that Lisa presents with ease. She entertains the audience with her mesmerizing voice, her individualistic piano style and her natural charisma. Her music can be compared to the likes of Norah Jones, Eva Cassidy, Katie Melua and Diana Krall’s more recent albums.

Lisa is currently based in Dubai in the Middle East. She has just finished recording her new album due to be released in Feb 2009 and is still pendeling between Europe and the Middle East for performances.

Lisa Hugo

"I was honored to be asked to add my voice to artists for freedom.  I have seen and heard of instances of slavery and abuse here in the middle east and it's tragic. People should be treated like people and free to make their own choices in life...unfortunately, we are not all so lucky. By coming together and spreading the work about human trafficking and slavery, we can start to make a change. A little bit goes a long way."
Lisa Hugo

Tom Merilahti

Tom in the AFF - FIVE Interview

Kaïssa Doumbè Moulongo

Kaissa

Kaïssa’s singing career includes working with Salif Keita, Cesaria Evora, Manu Dibango, Paul Simon, Diana Ross and many, others. Kaïssa’s first solo album LOOKING THERE has been released by Sony Music South Africa in 2005 and she appeared on five compilations by Putumayo World Music.

Kaïssa is not only a fantastic singer and spectacular performer, offering unforgettable performances, but she is also an educator and a humanitarian as well. She offers music workshops to kids and youth. Since 2008 Kaïssa is an active Action Against Hunger Advisory Council Member. She is also a member of” Artists for an end of FGM" and music Ambassador for WHOA Protect Girls From Genital Mutilation coalition.

Having just completed David Byrne’s world tour, Kaïssa is preparing to release her new EP, working on new material and planning for the next touring season.

Though she had left her Cameroonian homeland for over two decades, the African cultural legacy has never left her. Kaïssa is a global artist who integrates into her music life experiences from Africa, Europe and America, mixing tradition with modernity. She is truly a multicultural woman.

Richard Drummond

To live a life in freedom is one of the most basic universal desires in common to human beings across the borders of nations, gender, race or belief.As with love, it is a vital necessity - embedded into our souls. While ignorant and egoistic persons try to suppress the freedom of our fellow humans, the will for freedom can not be suppressed and will grow even stronger. Let us raise our voice for the souls that cannot be heard, so they may someday be free.
Rich Drummond