EMI CMG Distribution Adds to Film/Video Offerings with “First Look Studios” Partnership

EMI CMG Distribution Adds to Film/Video Offerings with First Look Studios Partnership

Apostles of Comedy Will be First DVD in Long-Term Deal

Brentwood, Tenn. – EMI Christian Music Group (CMG) Distribution and First Look Studios, a leading independent film and production studio based in Los Angeles, have signed a long-term retail distribution agreement, announced Greg Bays, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for EMI CMG Distribution.

EMI CMG will have exclusive rights for certain Christian market retail distribution of First Look Studios’ Christian and family-friendly products, including the recent DVD release of Apostles of Comedy, starring Christian comedians Jeff Allen, Brad Stine, Anthony Griffith and Ron Pearson. Following in November will be the DVD releases family feature films Welcome to Paradise and Secret of the Cave.

“EMI CMG Distribution is committed to expanding our involvement in the film and video marketplace where we have seen and expect to see continued growth. First Look Studios has already acquired creative and innovative product that will be embraced by the Christian market, like our first release Apostles of Comedy which is both hilarious and poignantly inspiring. We look forward to working with them to market and distribute quality programming like this and more,” said Bays.

“At First Look Studios, we have a tremendous respect for the faith-based and family-friendly consumer and recognize the potency of this marketplace. We are pleased to grow this important part of our business with EMI CMG’s help,” said Dean Wilson, COO of First Look Studios.

Apostles of Comedy is executive produced by Lenny Sisselman and produced by Emmy® nominated Mitchell Galin. The 101-minute DVD delivers a message of laughter and hope, following four of comedy's biggest and most inspirational comedians both on and off the stage. The film documents the journey of Jeff Allen, Brad Stine, Anthony Griffith and Ron Pearson as they prepare for a live performance.

Galin says Apostles Of Comedy reveals the true mission of the comedians. "Our weaving of documentary footage with performances was an attempt to show that these comedians have a purpose beyond just laughs-per-minute. They want to reach into peoples’ hearts and souls."

Jeff Allen, Brad Stine, Anthony Griffith and Ron Pearson have appeared in various shows and have received many prestigious awards. Jeff Allen was part of the Bill Gaither Homecoming Tour, one of the top grossing tours of the past two decades and was the winner of the Grady Nutt Humor Award, the most prestigious award in the Christian comedy industry. Brad Stine has been seen on NBC‘s Nightly News, CNN’s Paula Zahn Now, FOX News’ Hannity & Colmes Show, Tucker Carlson Show, MTV's Half Hour Comedy Hour and Showtime's Comedy Club Network to name a few of his credits. Anthony Griffith played a lead role in Our Father, which won an Emmy®, and has made multiple appearances on television shows such as The Bernie Mac Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Ron Pearson starred in Malcolm & Eddie and made guest appearances on The Drew Carey Show, Two Guys and a Girl, The George Lopez Show and That 70s Show. Together, Jeff Allen, Brad Stine, Anthony Griffith and Ron Pearson, bring a new look to comedy.

For a sneak preview of the DVD, visit:www.ApostlesofComedy.com.

About First Look Studios, Inc. (www.firstlookstudios.com ):
First Look Studios, a leading independent supplier in the entertainment marketplace, acquires, markets and distributes feature films, television series and specialty programming. First Look owns a vast home entertainment library consisting of over 1400 titles, including The Proposition, King of California, Paris Je T'aime and The Contract. First Look also distributes a variety of product lines from world-class category-leading partners including Zuffa (Ultimate Fighting Championship- UFC), Carsey-Werner ("The Cosby Show") and VideoAsia (Battle Warrior starring Tony Jaa). Aside from Apostles of Comedy, other upcoming home entertainment releases for First Look include War, Inc., starring John Cusack, Priceless, starring Audrey Tautou, and Birds of America, starring Matthew Perry. First Look Studios' upcoming theatrical releases include Transsiberian, starring Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer and Sir Ben Kingsley and Takashi Miike's Sukiyaki Western Django.

About EMI CMG Distribution (www.emicmg.com):
Billboard Magazine's annual Top Christian Music Distributor since 1995, EMI CMG Distribution was founded in 1994 to serve as the main distribution outlet for EMI CMG's owned and distributed labels to the US Christian and general retail marketplace, and the international Christian marketplace. In addition to distributing EMI CMG fully-owned labels, which include EMI CMG Label Group’s Sparrow, ForeFront, and Credential imprints, as well as EMI Gospel and Worship Together, EMI CMG Distribution has exclusive distribution agreements with Tooth & Nail/BEC, Gaither Music Group, Big Idea, Hal Leonard, Inpop, Madacy Entertainment, OMG Records, Troubadour for the Lord, Universal Music Group, VSR Music Group, Cloud 9 Games, Cartoon Pizza, Genius Products, Guardian Studios/Bananas, Third Day Games and ZAPiT Games. EMI CMG Distribution is a division of EMI CMG, a unit of EMI Music, part of EMI Group (www.emigroup.com); one of the world’s leading music companies.