Hawai'i film producer Paul Atkins and writer/director Brett Wagner are at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York today to accept a $40,000 Sloan Filmmakers Fund grant. It will support development of "The Devil's Teeth," a feature film about great white sharks.

The movie, based on a best-selling book by journalist Susan Casey, tells the story of a pair of scientists on a remote island off the California coast who struggle to protect the great white from human predation.

The Hawai'i filmmakers were part of the team that created the award-winning short film "Chief."

— Mike Gordon, Advertiser Staff writer

IMMIGRANT GROUP HONORS SPRINGSTEEN

Everyone knows he was born in the USA, but it was Bruce Springsteen's European immigrant roots — and his family's 110-year American dream — that were celebrated yesterday.

Accompanied by his proud mother and aunts — the women who "provided me with place" and "filled my family and all of my work with great meaning" — the rocker from New Jersey received an Ellis Island Family Heritage Award.

The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation Inc. presents the award to immigrants or their descendants "who have made a major contribution to the American experience." Also honored were investment banker Peter G. Peterson; Avon Chairwoman and CEO Andrea Jung; and former NBA All-Star Dikembe Mutombo.

COUNTRY STAR WILL JUDGE 'RUNWAY' FINALE

Faith Hill is a red carpet regular and has proven to be a consistent fashionista throughout her 15 years in country music.

That made her a perfect fit to judge the finale of this season's "Project Runway."

"I have always paid close attention to detail in my work, and I understand and relate to big dreams and hard work," she said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "Fortunately, those things served me well while focusing on each designer. It was actually quite natural for me."

Hill has sold more than 30 million records and has her own fragrance, Faith Hill Parfums. After her time on "Project Runway," Hill said she is open to creating her own fashion line in the future.

FLATTS TO SING ANTHEM AT KENTUCKY DERBY

Rascal Flatts will perform the national anthem May 1 at the Kentucky Derby in Louisville.

Officials announced yesterday that the group, one of country music's top acts, will perform "The Star Spangled Banner" at the 136th Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.

Last year, LeAnn Rimes became the first national recording artist invited to sing the national anthem at the Derby, and the track said the addition was popular with fans so organizers decided to continue it.

— Advertiser News Services