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Kindred Media Group Brings Smiles to Screen with “Laura Smiles”

West Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) February 19, 2006

Kindred Media Group announced today it has acquired universal distribution rights to “Laura Smiles”, to handle the film’s theatrical, DVD, and foreign rollouts. The film is an RKO Pictures production, produced by TedHartley and Ric Arthur. Executive Producers include Joe Di Maio, Paul Speaker, Michael Klein, and Robert Cain, and the film is written and directed by Jason Ruscio.

“Laura Smiles” recently won the Emerging Filmmaker Award at the Denver Film Festival and has been accepted by the Vail Film Festival, which runs from March 30 – April 2, 2006. Petra Wright (“Alias”, “24″), whose performance has been described as a tour-de-force, stars in this drama which is being hailed as an indie “American Beauty.”

A light-splashed meeting between two soon-to-be-married young lovers shows Laura (Wright), a fledgling actress, and Chris (Kip Pardue – “Imaginary Heroes”, “The Rules of Attraction”, “Remember the Titans”), a neophyte writer, both engaging and witty. But the good times don’t last long; Chris is killed by a passing van. Nine years later, Laura is ensconced as a solidly upper-middle-class suburban housewife with a perfect husband and an 8-year-old son. Everything around her appears staid, distanced, established… however all is not well in suburbia.

The film also stars Mark Derwin (“Dirty Deeds”, “The Minus Man”) and Jonathan Silverman (“Made”, “The Odd Couple II”, “The Cookout”) in spectacular performances. Kindred intends to release the film theatrically in the US in September of 2006, with home video to follow shortly after the film’s theatrical run.

Jeffrey D. Erb, President of Kindred Media Group said, “Petra’s performance is nothing short of breathtaking. She pulls you in and explores both the light and dark side of a manic-depressive personality. We are excited about releasing the film this year.”

Paul Speaker, President of RKO Pictures said, “From screenplay to the superb performances of the ensemble cast, LAURA SMILES navigates a universal subject with a freshness and unique balance of wit and pathos that has already resonated with critics and festivals. We, at RKO are excited to be working with Kindred to get this film in front of audiences this year.”

Joe Nicolo, Executive Vice President of Kindred Media Group said, “Laura Smiles is the type of film that makes you realize what a good experience going to the movies is.”

“Laura makes us realize how vulnerable love is,” expressed producer Joe Di Maio. “It was made with passion, and we are excited of Kindred’s involvement in the distribution of the picture.”

Producer Richard Arthur said, “LAURA SMILES invites us into a psychologically tense world – the kind Hollywood forgot to make after VERTIGO.”

Deal was negotiated by Joe Nicolo for Kindred, with Jonathan Marshall and Paul Speaker representing the producers.

New Films International, a full scale acquisitions, sales and production company with 30 employees and 6 offices worldwide, acquired International Rights from Kindred Media Group and took the film to the Berlin European Film Market where it has been received with overwhelmingly positive feedback.The acquisition was negotiated by NFI Executive Vice President Ron Gell and VP Legal and Business Affairs Craig A. Kessler.

About Kindred Media Group:

Founded in 2004, with offices in West Hollywood and Pennsylvania, Kindred Media Group is a boutique film distribution company that enables film makers to reach a wide audience both domestically and internationally. Kindred’s focus extends to films that are both large studio productions as well as small independent productions, the key ingredient being quality. The company distributes and finances all genres of film, large or specialized releases, with broad or niche audiences, theatrically, through home video, and television programming.

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Alliance Group Entertainment Moves Forward With Latest Film Project, “Locker 541”

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 11, 2006

Due to the success of their last project, “Partners,” — a film short that Alliance Group Entertainment acquired from maverick Director Geo Santini and is currently in pre-production as a feature, entitled “Hotel California,” Alliance Group Entertainment is moving forward and utilizing the same formula for Geo Santini’s latest project, “Locker 541,” which is in developmental stages to be turned into the full-length feature entitled, “The Hustle,” by Alliance Group Entertainment.

“Locker 541” is a highly intelligent and character driven action piece about a pair of super-sophisticated but small-time con men who find themselves drawn into an international scandal that reaches to the highest levels of business and politics. The short is already being praised as a hip, slick, modern day version of “The Sting.”

The “Locker 541” film short drew upon the talents of many established actors, including Robert Miano (“Donnie Brasco,”) and Gary Daniels (“Submerged,” “Die Hard 4”, “Witness to a Kill”) and Jason Graham (“Dreamgirls”).

Looking to capture the attention of Industry insiders, and cause a studio bidding war similar to the negotiations for “Partners,” Alliance hosted a private, and exclusive screening of “Locker 541” on October 9, 2006—which was attended by top film executives and agents. “Our goal is to work with young, cutting-edge Directors to produce films that are quality, and that will compete successfully with any major studio film” says Alliance CEO Mike Karkeh.

Director Geo Santini is a prime example of Alliance Group Entertainment’s ability to recognize talent and work to develop successful projects. Geo Santini—known for his work as a music video Director—has worked with Alliance on several projects including, “Partners,” and the big screen adaptation of the short, entitled “Hotel California.” Santini also directed “Locker 541.” “Teaming up with writer R. Ellis Frasier, I took his feature film script, cut it down to 30 pages, and shot it as a short. I admit, it was a little ambitious, but I wanted to create a short film with a full story, a series of locations, and an ensemble cast. We had 5 days to shoot 13 locations, and a minimum amount of resources, but we made it work.” Explains Geo Santini.

Alliance recently finished production on a horror film, entitled “Lake Dead,” and a television pilot, entitled “The Executives.” The company will begin production in the near future on the films “Farm House” and “Confessions of a Pit Fighter, 2.”

For more information on Alliance Group Entertainment, please contact, Terrance Gillum at 323.365.4602 or Sherise Bright at 213.742.9048 or visit the site listed below.

Alliance Entertainment Group:

Alliance Group Entertainment is a multi-faceted entertainment company specializing in cutting-edge Film, Music and Television projects. The company also manages the careers of some of Hollywood’s hottest up and coming talent. Located in the heart of Hollywood, Alliance Group Entertainment’s staff of talented professionals, and impressive in-house facilities have earned the company the right to compete amongst the top entertainment entities as a “one-stop-shop” for all things entertainment.

http://www.alliancegroupent.com

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

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