May
15, 2006
For
Immediate Release:
STARZ
ENTERTAINMENT GROUP ENTERS
MULTI-YEAR SPONSORSHIP WITH
HOLLYWOOD FILM FESTIVAL(R)
STARZ
to Present the 10th Annual Hollywood Film Festival(R)
And Host the Hollywood Awards(R) After Party
At Beverly Hilton Hotel
Englewood, Colo.,
May 16, 2006 - Continuing the company's efforts to strengthen its support
and presence at major film festivals around the country, Starz Entertainment
Group (SEG) has inked a multi-year sponsorship with the Hollywood Film
Festival(R) (HFF), which includes being the presenting sponsor of this
year's festival taking place October 17-23. In addition, SEG will host
the festival's closing party after the Hollywood Awards(R) ceremony
at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on October 23.
SEG, which has been
associated with the HFF since 2004, will present Buy the Ticket, Take
the Ride: Hunter S. Thompson on Film, a look at the late gonzo journalist's
influence on celebrities, politicos and other writers. The film features
interviews with Hunter's inner circle of family and friends, but the
thrust is focused on the manner in which his life often overlapped with
numerous Hollywood celebrities who became his close friends, such as
Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas); Bill
Murray (Where the Buffalo Roam); Sean Penn, John Cusack, former Senators
George McGovern and Gary Hart, Tom Wolfe, William F. Buckley, Gary Busey,
Harry Dean Stanton, artist Ralph Steadman and others.
This marks the third
consecutive year SEG has presented one of their films at HFF. At last
year's festival, they premiered Bullets Over Hollywood and in 2004,
The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing.
"We've enjoyed
our relationship with the festival and its Executive Director, Carlos
de Abreu," says David Charmatz, SEG senior vice president, channel
management. "He's done an amazing job in the festival's ten-year
history, bridging the gap between established Hollywood and emerging
filmmakers, something that is important to SEG. This year, we've decided
to step up our efforts and get even more involved with the festival
for the long term, and that includes hosting a must-attend party at
the Hilton, where everyone can relax or schmooze after the awards."
Says de Abreu, "I've
certainly enjoyed working with the whole group at SEG and am excited
that they've upped their involvement with us. Through this partnership,
SEG will provide a broad range of communication resources, both online
and offline, and marketing leadership that will significantly increase
HFF's efforts to expand the festival and awards. Their support will
take us to the next level. Therefore, guaranteeing that we will continue
our quest to both discover embryonic filmmakers and honor Hollywood
talent."
This year the festival
will celebrate its 10th anniversary by expanding its film and events
program. The festival will include symposiums, premieres, special screenings
and parties. Over 100 films will be showcased.
The Hollywood Film
Festival kicks off October 17 for a seven-day series of screenings and
special presentations with Q/A sessions at ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood.
On October 23, the festival culminates with the prestigious Hollywood
Awards(R), which honor established Hollywood talent, international talent
and emerging filmmakers. http://www.hollywoodfestival.com
Last year's festival
was one of the best yet, with awards going to such Hollywood notables
as Diane Keaton, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron, Susan Sarandon, Jake
Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, George Lucas, Paul Haggis, and the cast
of Crash, among others. The festival and awards generated more than
500,000,000 media impressions in a mix of broadcast and cable/network
television, Internet, and print.
Starz Entertainment
Group LLC (SEG) is a premium movie service provider operating in the
United States. SEG offers 16 movie channels including the flagship Starz®
and Encore® brands with approximately 14 million and 26 million
subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment Group airs more than 1,000
movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services
including Starz HDTV, Starz On Demand and VongoSM. Starz Entertainment
Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation,www.starz.com.
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