​

For our April 2020 issue, we highlight two amazingly talented, intelligent, passionate, and beautiful women, who are twin sisters, Eli Bevins and Lu Bevins. Eli and Lu are from West Philadelphia, where they were raised by their grandparents, Helen and Earl Bevins. Both earned a Master’s degree in Information Architecture from Indiana University (IU), in Bloomington, IN. Eli and Lu wrote, directed and produced two stage plays while starting Eli Lu Entertainment in 2009. They also created the Mill Creek Documentary, and are Board members for the Mill Creek Community Partnership, a non-profit organization.  The ladies are also Digital Designers for the star-studded Wearable Art Gala and WACO Theater Center in Los Angeles.  

​

For their work in film, Eli and Lu also received several awards which includes, the 2014 First Place Elfenworks prize for their social justice film, “Systematic Living,” the 2017 Elvira B. Pierce Overbrook Alumni Distinguished Filmmaker Award, the 2018 NOCBW’s Color Outside of the lines (COOL) Award, the Lost Light Sound Heart Best Short Film Nomination Philadelphia Independent Film Award, and their short film “My Dear Arthur” was selected to screen at the world’s prestigious Cannes Film Festival in the South of France through CMF, to name a few.  ​In 2019, the ladies presented a phenomenal spoken word stage play, Broken Tables, which they co-wrote with three other spoken word artists, Brother Hahz, T.H.E.R.E.S.A. Tha Song Bird and Pastor Jul (Everyone wrote their own pieces, but Eli and Lu created the storyline, directed the play, and produced it along with Stacey Sherill.)  It was the first time that I saw a dynamic, thought provoking stage play that incorporated this type of mixed media.  Stacey Sherill, the producer, worked alongside of these ladies and was instrumental to making sure everything ran smoothly, which helped in the successful planning of Broken Tables. It was so well received that both shows were almost filled to capacity and they received standing ovations that were well deserved.  Later that year, the ladies launched the Philm Factory, and it launched with much success.  In January and February of 2020, they held several engaging and informative workshops under the title, Philm Factory 2020 Vision, where Cathy Dance serves as the Program Director. There were seven different workshops that provided attendees with a wealth of knowledge about the film and entertainment industries.  The workshops were led by the likes of Carvin Haggins, Brittany and Brianna Haigler, Gerard Brown, Eli and Lu Bevins, as well as a host of other influencers in the film and entertainment industry.


In 2020, Eli and Lu Bevins completed a film project that they worked so hard on for two years, a Cinematic Spoken Word mixtape with 12 tracks that correspond with 12 short films they wrote, directed, and produced alongside Executive Producer, Derrick Dean. They completed the "Sound Mind" Cinematic Spoken Word mixtape film with the help and support of their small, but amazing team, which they are so grateful for.  These ladies are truly gifted and blessed with unmatched talent that evokes from their audience critical thinking, engagement, and awareness.  When it comes to creativity, Eli ad Lu are out of the box thinkers and through their company, Eli Lu Entertainment they create and promote thought provoking, lyrical cinema at its finest. Remember the names Eli and Lu Bevins, because these ladies are already making their mark in the film and entertainment industry.  I am so proud of these sisters and proud that they are driven and Philly bred.  Congratulations ladies, I wish you much success!  We are honored to honor you in our April 2020 issue of the Love Exquisite Magazine.  Thank you for all that you do for the love of the Arts, Theatre and Education industries!


Stay tuned for the upcoming premiere of the film, "Sound Mind" Cinematic Spoken Word mixtape.  Tickets will be available on Eventbrite.com.  You can follow and support Eli and Lu Bevins and find out more about their upcoming projects on their website: http://eliluent.com/.

By Lynnette Clement