by Brian Sylva on 2014-03-12

In 2013, San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) Football alumnus Devon Libran turned a sizable role in the film “Licks” into the top prize for best picture at the Chelsea Film Festival in New York. Two of his co-stars were awarded for best actor and best supporting actor at the same film festival. This year, the film’s producers are in search of a place in the Inland Empire to screen “Licks” and SBVC Athletics is eager to host the screening. The film, written and directed by Jonathan Singer-Vine, 25, of Berkley, follows the life of “D” (Stanley Hunt), whom after serving two years in prison for a robbery gone awry, returns to his home in Oakland where he and his friends face the crossroads of either continuing a life of crime, or a life of perseverance above the odds. The film title is slang, or, “to hit a lick,” means to get hold of money quickly and easily, mostly by stealing it. “Licks” has also been honored at the South by Southwest Film Festival and the Milan Film Festival. The indie gang drama has received praise on multiple critique websites like IMDB, saying, “It’s the rare moment like this when it’s great to be a film critic.” Libran’s character, “Ty”, is an 18 year old man out of high school who landed a spot on a minor league baseball team in Nevada and defies his chances of success in the Majors when he returns to Oakland. Libran was a student athlete during his years at SBVC. He was the starting running back on the football team in 2008 where he rushed more than 1,000 yards. He excelled in theatre classes where he credited Theatre Arts professor, Ron Burglas, for his success in his auditions for the film role. Libran earned his Associates of Arts degree at SBVC then transferred to the University of La Verne where he earned a Bachelor’s in public administration. SBVC Sports Information Specialist, Brian Sylva, reached out to Libran when he had heard the “Licks” was looking for a place to screen the film. If the decision makers for “Licks” decide to come to SBVC, the film would probably be screened in the auditorium attached to the Library, hopefully before the end of the Spring semester. You can catch the trailer on the official website for “Licks” HERE (http://licksmovie.com/page/3/)