Memphian Jodie Markell's Tennessee Williams adaptation, "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond," will make its local debut Jan. 8 as the highlight of four months of special screenings organized by On Location: Memphis, a group "dedicated to promoting education, cultural diversity, and economic development through cinema arts," according to its mission statement.

Best known for its annual On Location: Memphis International Film Fest, held in April, the organization's monthly film events begin at 8 tonight at the Levitt Park Shell with a special free Halloween screening of director F.W. Murnau's 1922 masterpiece "Nosferatu," remastered in 3-D and retitled "Orlok the Vampire." 3-D glasses will be provided. A short episode of the animated "Dr. Shroud" also will be shown.

The screenings are:

Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m., Malco's Stage Cinema: "Brothers at War," an acclaimed film from the Samuel Goldwyn Company in which documentary filmmaker Jake Rademacher embeds himself with U.S. combat units to try to understand the experience and motivation of his two brothers serving in Iraq. Tickets are $7 each, or $5 with a valid military ID.

Dec. 8: "Still Bill," a documentary portrait of veteran soul singer Bill Withers, best known for his hits "Use Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine." Details pending.

Jan. 8: Jodie Markell, a native Memphian who now lives in New York, will be present to introduce and discuss her feature directorial debut, "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond," based on previously unproduced Tennessee Williams screenplay. Shot in Lousiana, the film -- which premiered last year at the Toronto International Film Festival -- stars Bryce Dallas Howard as a rebellious debutante in 1927 Memphis. Details of the event are pending.

For more information, visit onlocationmemphis.org.

-- John Beifuss

It's a Man's world

"I Am a Man: From Memphis, a Lesson in Life" won the audience award for best documentary short at the prestigious CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival in New York, which ended Oct. 24.

Sponsored by the College Music Journal publishing and media company, the event attracts more than 120,000 fans, musicians, filmmakers and other industry pros.

Produced in part by the Memphis Tourism Foundation, directed by Jonathan Epstein of Running Pony Productions and written by John Hubbell of Old Bridge Media, the film looks back at the sanitation workers' strike and other Memphis events of 1968 through the eyes of participant Elmore Nickelberry, a veteran of more than 54 years with what is officially known as the City of Memphis Department of Solid Waste Management.

The CMJ award is the latest in a string of victories for "I Am a Man," which also was honored at the Charlotte Film Festival and the Indie Memphis Film Festival, among others.

-- John Beifuss

Healthy gift cards

The Church Health Center is raising funds again this year through the sale of holiday cards designed by a local artist.

This year's selected artist is Jimpsie Ayres, whose painting depicts a child in flight before the full moon. The card can be personalized and hand-inscribed in honor or memory of a recipient. A tax-deductible minimum gift of $10 per honoree is suggested.

This is the third installment in a series of five such holiday cards. For more information about Church Health Center holiday cards, call 272-7170 or go to churchhealthcenter.org.

-- Bill Ellis

Give peace a chance

Caritas Village is calling for artists to submit work to its "First Annual Peace Exhibition," a group show celebrating "the bridges of love and trust that connect the disparate members of our community."

Submissions can be sent to Caritas Village, Peace Show, 2509 Harvard Ave., Memphis TN 38112. The deadline is Wednesday.

The exhibition is set for Nov. 20 through Dec. 31 at Hope Gallery inside the nonprofit community and cultural center.

For more information, call 327-5246 or e-mail caritashopegallery@ gmail.com.

-- Bill Ellis