New York, NY (July 14, 2010) The Wagner/Cuban Companies’ Magnolia Pictures announced today that it has acquired world rights to Oscar-nominee Casey Affleck’s directorial debut, I’m Still Here, a striking portrayal of a tumultuous year in the life of internationally acclaimed actor Joaquin Phoenix. With remarkable access, I’m Still Here follows the Oscar-nominee as he announces his retirement from a successful film career in the fall of 2008 and sets off to reinvent himself as a hip hop musician. Sometimes funny, sometimes shocking, and always riveting, the film is a portrait of an artist at a crossroads. Defying expectations, it deftly explores notions of courage and creative reinvention, as well as the ramifications of a life spent in the public eye.

Magnolia will release I’m Still Here on Friday, September 10th.

The deal was negotiated by Magnolia’s SVP Tom Quinn, Acquisitions VP Dori Begley and Head of Business Affairs Chris Matson, with Liesl Copland for WME Global.

Red Carpet photos from the Nickelodeon’s 23rd Annual Kids’ Choice Awards in Los Angeles, CA at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion on Saturday, March 27, 2010

New York, NY (March 28, 2010) – Grammy Award® winning, Academy Award® nominated singer, actor, songwriter Janet Jackson is set to release her new recording “Nothing” on March 30, 2010. Co-written and co-produced by Janet, the single is the original theme song for her upcoming film Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too? Lionsgate is planning to release the film nationwide on April 2, 2010.

Janet is an iconic artist who composed “Nothing” as an emotional ballad that reflects and supports the powerful themes of this Tyler Perry film. Producer Jermaine Dupri promises fans “Y’all haven’t heard her sound like this in a long time.” Played over the end credits, the soft melodious track evokes the emotional turmoil the title characters experience throughout the film. The launch of the single will be followed by a stunning music video directed by Tim Palen.

Janet’s previous film tracks have been critical and popular successes. Her first foray into film themes, the ballad “Again,” led her to an Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nomination. The song was featured her first feature film Poetic Justice. Her success with music in films also includes the lead single from the film The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps. The track titled “Doesn’t Really Matter,” which she also co-wrote, entered the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was also featured in her seventh album “All for You,” which came out the following year and for which Janet received another Grammy Award® for Best Dance Recording.

Janet’s most recent single “Make Me” was featured on her Number Ones album, a collection of number one chart topping songs and “Make Me” was no exception. “Make Me” the single from her Number Ones CD hit the top of the Billboard Dance Charts this year. The album NUMBER ONES features 33 worldwide number one hits.

Why Did I Get Married Too? is Janet’s fourth film following a string of number one box office openers.

The Never-Before-Told Story About The Controversial Riots That Gave Birth To Gay Pride

New York, NY (March 26, 2010) — First Run Features announced today that it has secured the theatrical rights to the upcoming film Stonewall Uprising. Directed by award-winning documentary veterans and frequent collaborators Kate Davis (“Waiting for Armageddon,” “Southern Comfort”) and David Heilbroner (“Waiting for Armageddon,” “Pucker Up”), the film chronicles the remarkable story of the night of June 28, 1969 when a police raid at Greenwich Village’s famous Stonewall Inn, incited the gay and lesbian population to finally fight back.

“This film captures the ‘Rosa Parks’ moment that began one of the most important civil rights movements of modern times,” comments Kate Davis. “Having worked with First Run Features before, we knew this would be another perfect fit and we couldn’t be happier with the advance reception the film is garnering from the exhibitors,” commented David Heilbroner.

Stonewall Uprising will premiere at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival prior to its theatrical run which begins on June 16th in New York at Film Forum. Timed to coincide with the nation’s Pride celebrations, the film opens in over forty markets the following weeks.

“The tension, the danger, the bravery and the exhilaration of successfully standing up to oppression are all captured brilliantly and passionately in this definitive film,” Seymour Wishman, President of First Run Features stated. “We are proud to be representing Stonewall Uprising.”

Based on Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution by David Carter, the film was produced by WGBH for the PBS American Experience series.

Stonewall Uprising is Davis and Heilbroner’s sixth documentary together.

Animated Psychological Suspense Masterpiece Anime, is Based On Critically Acclaimed Manga Series, Offers aTale of Conspiracy, Political Intrigue and Murder

San Francisco, CA (March 19, 2010) — VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the recent Canadian broadcast debut of the animated series, Naoki Urasawa’s MONSTER, featured by Starz Media’s Manga Entertainment on Super Channel. MONSTER is based on the critically acclaimed manga series by Naoki Urasawa that is published in North America by VIZ Media.

New episodes of Naoki Urasawa’s MONSTER, rated TV-MA will air each Monday night at 10 p.m. ET on Super Channel, Canada’s only national pay television network.

What would you do if a child you saved grew up to be a monster? An ice-cold killer is on the loose, and Dr. Kenzo Tenma is the only one who can stop him! Tenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon with a promising future, risks his career to save the life of a critically wounded young boy named Johan. When the boy, now a coldhearted and charismatic young man, reappears nine years later in the midst of a string of unusual serial murders, Tenma must go on the run from the police, who suspect him to be the killer, to find Johan and stop the monster he set loose upon the world. Conspiracies, serial murders, and secret government experiments set against the grim backdrop of the formerly communist Eastern Europe are masterfully woven together in the compelling work of suspense that is Naoki Urasawa’s MONSTER.

“Naoki Urasawa’s MONSTER weaves an engaging story of psychological intrigue,” says William Germain, VIZ Media’s Director of Programming Sales. “The multifaceted plot and mysterious characters that make Naoki Urasawa’s manga a smash hit are adapted seamlessly in this animated series that stays absolutely true to the original story. We look forward to Canadian fans of manga and anime as well as mystery and suspense tuning in each week to catch the suspense and excitement of MONSTER!”

“We are very pleased to add Naoki Urasawa’s MONSTER to the strong anime lineup on Super Channel,” said Gene George, executive vice president of worldwide distribution for Starz Media. “We know the excitement of MONSTER will engage anime fans that are regular viewers of this anime block of programming.”

Summit Entertainment–makers of Hurt Locker and the Twilight movies–have optioned bestselling author and screenwriter Andrew Klavan Homelanders series of young adult thriller novels for film.

Washington, DC (March 20, 2010) – Summit Entertainment–makers of Hurt Locker and the Twilight movies–have optioned bestselling author and screenwriter Andrew Klavan Homelanders series of young adult thriller novels for film. Lorenzo di Bonaventura, producer of Transformers and Stardust, will produce. The series deals with teenager Charlie West’s quest to find out why he’s become the target of jihadist terrorists and the police.

Andrew Klavan is the author of such internationally bestselling crime novels as True Crime, filmed by Clint Eastwood, and Don’t Say A Word, filmed starring Michael Douglas. As a screenwriter, Andrew wrote the screenplay to 1990’s A Shock to the System, which starred Michael Caine, and to 2008’s One Missed Call, which stars Ed Burns and Shannyn Sossamon. He has been nominated for the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award five times and has won twice. His books have been translated around the world. Klavan was hailed by Stephen King as “the most original American novelist of crime and suspense since Cornell Woolrich.”

“I’m really excited about this,” said Klavan. “These are top-notch filmmakers who can make movies as action-packed as the books are.”

Andrew is a contributing editor to City Journal, the magazine of the Manhattan Institute. His essays and op-eds on politics, religion, movies and literature have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, The Washington Post, the LA Times, and elsewhere. His video feature, “Klavan on the Culture,” can be found at PJTV.com (http://pjtv.com/). Andrew is a frequent and entertaining guest for several leading television and radio show hosts including Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Red Eye, Mike Gallagher and Lars Larson.

The newest book in the series is The Long Way Home (published by Thomas Nelson) and initial reviews have been strong. Booklist says The Long Way Home contains “action sequences that never let up, and showy set pieces that are wrung for every possible drop of nervous sweat. Best of all, unlike many second chapters, this one pays off with some seriously heavy revelations.” The Washington Times says in its review of The Long Way Home, Klavan is “A solid storyteller with a keen eye for detail and vivid descriptive power.”

Los Angeles, CA (March 17, 2010) Three time Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Sigourney Weaver has joined the cast of writer/director Amy Heckerling’s new feature film VAMPS. Written and to be directed by Heckerling, VAMPS tells the modern day tale of two young beautiful female vampires living the good nightlife in New York until love enters the picture and each has to make a choice that will jeopardize their immortality. VAMPS is set to start production in May, 2010.

Weaver , who plays the role of Ciccerus, a bloodthirsty “stem” vampire who has created a dynasty, most recently starred in James Cameron’s blockbuster, AVATAR .

Weaver joins Alicia Silverstone and Krysten Ritter already on board as two young vampires she turned into creatures of the night.

VAMPS is produced by Red Hour Films (“Tropic Thunder,” “Blades of Glory,” “Dodgeball”), Lucky Monkey Pictures Lauren Versel (2009 Tribeca Audience Award winner “City Island” set for release through Anchor Bay in March 2010) and Molly Hassell (Sundance Award Winning “Big River Man”). Executive Producers include Julie Kroll and Maria Teresa Arida.

Heckerling gained fame directing “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” for Universal followed by the box office hits “Look Who’s Talking,” and “Clueless.”

Foreign sales are being handled by third party sales agent, Lisa Wilson, President of Distribution, Parlay Films LLC, which is a GK Films affiliate.

Weaver’s upcoming films include Universal Pictures and Working Title Film’s comedy “Paul” with Simon Pegg, Seth Rogen and Jason Bateman; Andy Fickman’s comedy “You Again” alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Kristen Bell and “Cedar Rapids” starring John C. Reilly, Anne Heche and Ed Helms.

March 14, 2010 (New York, NY) The court of Disney Princesses was joined by Anika Noni Rose (“Tiana”) and a host of celebrity guests as Tiana was officially crowned the ninth member of the beloved Disney Princess Royal Court. A magical ceremony took place in the Grand Ballroom at the historic New York Palace in Manhattan. As the newest Disney Princess, Tiana will forever be celebrated and recognized as a Disney Princess across all divisions of the Walt Disney Company and will be included in all Disney Princess merchandise featuring multiple Disney Princess characters.

Joining Anika Noni Rose in celebration of the coronation was Tina Fey, Melissa Joan Hart, Kelly Rutherford, Audra McDonald, Nigel Barker, Brent Zachary, Alesandra Ambrosio, Matt Walton, Amy Landecker, additional voice talent from the film Jenifer Lewis (“Mama Odie”), Jennifer Cody (“Charlotte”) and Michael Leon Wooley (“Louis”) along with Disney Princess cast members Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, and Snow White, and Prince Naveen!

The event celebrated the arrival of The Princess and the Frog on Disney Blu-Ray and DVD, which releases March 16th. As Disney’s newest Disney Princess character, Tiana will forever be celebrated as a Disney Princess across all divisions of the Walt Disney Company, and will be included in all Disney Princess merchandise programs featuring multiple Disney Princess characters.

Nominated for three Academy Awards®, The Princess and the Frog transports audiences to glorious, glamorous New Orleans as Tiana, the newest Disney Princess meets her frog prince and gives him the fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical, magical bayous of Louisiana.

‘Our Heritage And Faith’ Holy Bibles (NIV & KJV) Assist Youth In Dealing With Issues They Face In Daily Lives – Over 100 Pages Of Features; And ‘My Holy Bible’ (KJV) Includes Art From Leading African-American Illustrators

Grand Rapids, MI (February 23, 2010) – African-American children and teens yearning for a full text bible designed specifically for them to understand and celebrate their rich heritage, as well as identify and interact with Scripture now have six inspiring choices available through Zondervan.

“These new Bibles are being introduced fast on the heels of last fall’s debut of ‘My Holy Bible for African-American Children,’ in the New International Version translation,” said Annette Bourland, senior vice president and publisher of ZonderKidzTM, a division of Zondervan. “All are culturally-relevant Bibles that we feel will stimulate Black youth in their spiritual journeys.”
With this month’s release of Our Heritage and Faith Holy Bible for African-American Teens, readers will focus on the traditions of the African-American church. One-hundred six pages of articles and essays help teens come to know the roots of their lives, their forms of worship, and their faith in God. Photos are included on tip-in pages to aid the teen readers’ experience of learning about their heritage.

Other key features in this Bible align to enhance the full experience of the readings and further its compelling and cultural relevance. Notes on music, the black church and contemporary heroes provide a rich thread to complement the Bible passages. A presentation page includes a family section. Eight pages of maps help readers visualize the lands of the Bible.

Our Heritage and Faith Holy Bible for African-American Teens is available in both the New International Version (NIV) and King James Version (KJV) translations. Four innovative Italian Duo-Tone bindings are designed for teen guys and girls. A special “question and answer” section in the back of the Bible assists youth in dealing with some of the issues they face in their daily lives. Topics include “Who and What is God Really Like?” “Does God See Me As Black?” and “Why Don’t Churches Allow Christian R & B and Hip Hop?”

NIV selections of this Bible include two hot new teen-friendly combo colors of purple and pink and green and orange. The King James Version (KJV) of Our Heritage and Faith Holy Bible for African-American Teens is also available in two Italian Duo-Tone designs. Teens and other consumers can choose blue and purple or black with emerald and yellow.
Finding meaningful connections to God through features that speak directly to an African-American child’s life experiences and heritage is a continuing thread with the introduction of Zondervan’s new Bible that is just out in the marketplace this month. My Holy Bible For African-American Children is now available in the King James Version. (In fall 2009, the NIV version of this Bible was first introduced.)

Thirty-two, full-color pages of artwork from leading African-American illustrators help bring up close and personal the meaningful and notable figures of the Bible. From Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to the animals entering Noah’s ark, Queen Esther in the King’s palace to Daniel in the den of lions – the rich color palettes of artwork speak to the imagination of children of all ages. Leading African-American illustrators such as Pat Cummings, Nancy Devard, Shane Evans, Cathy Ann Johnson, Anna Rich, Javaka Steptoe and Michele Wood engage readers with more than 30 pages of awe-inspiring artwork.
Book introductions help explain what each book of the Bible is about. Large type for easy reading helps children quickly maneuver through the content. A presentation page is featured for gift giving. An article on “The African-American Worship Experience” provides background on the start-up of African-American churches after years of slavery. It helps children understand the vital role the church continues to play in fellowship and life experiences.

A section of “Inspirational Quotes” from nine celebrated people helps form a fabric of understanding for children, as well. Words from Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Archbishop Desmond Tutu, President Barack Obama, Jesse Owens, George Washington Carver and others provide uplifting sentiments as the words come off the page into the minds of early readers.

Cheryl and Wade Hudson, the nationally acclaimed authors and publishers of Just Us Books serve as general editors for these Bibles and were responsible for their concept and development. My Holy Bible for African-American Children connects the spiritual challenges and triumphs of today’s youth with the journeys of well-known Bible heroes.

“Today’s parents face a major challenge ensuring that their children and teens have viable opportunities to develop meaningful relationships with God through Jesus Christ,” said Wade Hudson. “There are so many distractions that compete for young people’s interests. But, because My Holy Bible for African-American Children and Our Heritage and Faith Holy Bible for African-American Teens include special features that engage and stimulate young people, both books are invaluable resources for churches, church groups and parents seeking tools to help them share their faith with the next generations.”