New Line Cinema to Host Screening of 'Take The Lead' on March 23 to Benefit LA's BEST

New Line Cinema to Host Screening of 'Take The Lead' on March 23 to Benefit LA's BEST

Renowned Ballroom Champion, Pierre Dulaine, 'Take The Lead' Filmmakers and Cast Members to Attend

Special Appearance and Performances by 'Dancing With The Stars'' Giselle Fernandez, Jonathan Roberts and Anna Trebunskaya

LOS ANGELES, March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- New Line Cinema will host a special screening of "Take The Lead," which stars Antonio Banderas as renowned Ballroom Champion, Pierre Dulaine, to benefit the after-school enrichment program LA's BEST (Better Educated Students for Tomorrow).

The benefit screening will take place on Thursday, March 23 at the Mann's Chinese 6 Theater in Hollywood at 7 pm. In addition to a screening of the film, the event will feature appearances by Dulaine, "Take The Lead" director Liz Friedlander, ensemble cast members Rob Brown and Yaya DaCosta, members of the film's supporting cast and producers Diane Nabatoff and Chris Godsick. Additionally, a post-screening party at Level 3 will feature performances from "Dancing With The Stars'" Giselle Fernandez, Jonathan Roberts and Anna Trebunskaya.

All funds raised from the benefit screening will go directly to LA's BEST, a nationally recognized after-school education program that serves more than 24,000 Los Angeles children at no cost to parents. LA's BEST offers a rich variety of educational and recreational programs along with instruction in visual and performing arts and plans to launch a ballroom dance program.

"I'm thrilled that we are able to screen 'Take The Lead' in conjunction with the benefit for LA's BEST," says Friedlander. "Screening the film here is a natural fit, and it feels great to help and be involved with a cause which puts into action a central message of the film -- that all kids are entitled to learn about arts and culture in a safe environment."

"We are grateful for the partnership between New Line Cinema and the BEST Friends, our premiere leadership group of young professionals who are innovative thinkers and passionate believers in education, who see in 'Take The Lead' the essence of our mission: inspiring and helping young people to find their own Muse and then to create, excel and soar," said Carla Sanger, LA's BEST President and CEO. "'Take The Lead', Pierre Dulaine's seminal work, is all about using the idiom of dance to nurture latent talents and abilities in ways that change lives -- forever. This speaks to the very heart and soul of our purposes at LA's BEST."

Inspired by a true story, Antonio Banderas stars as internationally acclaimed ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine in "Take The Lead." The film revolves around a professional dancer who volunteers to teach in the New York City public school system. But when his classic methods clash with his students' hip hop instincts, he teams up with them to create a new style of dance and becomes their mentor in the process. "Take The Lead" co-stars Alfre Woodard, Rob Brown and Yaya DaCosta and marks the feature directing debut of veteran music video helmer Liz Friedlander (who has helmed videos for artists that include U2, Blink 182 and Simple Plan). It is scheduled for an April 7, 2006 release.

About New Line Cinema Corporation:

Founded almost 40 years ago, New Line Cinema is the most successful independent film company in the world. Its mission is to produce innovative, popular and profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. In 2005, New Line partnered with HBO to form Picturehouse, a new theatrical distribution company to release independent films. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line's Oscar-winning "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc. (TWX).

About LA's BEST

LA's BEST -- Better Educated Students for Tomorrow -- is a nationally recognized after school education, enrichment and recreation program serving more than 24,000 children with the greatest needs and fewest resources throughout the City of Los Angeles. LA's BEST After School Enrichment Program provides a safe haven for children, ages 5 to 12, at 147 elementary school sites each day during the critical hours after school -- at no cost to parents. Established in 1988, LA's BEST is a partnership including the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District and the private sector.

Contacts:
Nicole Butte Candice McDonough
New Line Cinema New Line Cinema
Director of Interactive Marketing Director, Publicity and Corporate
310-967-6620 Communications
310-967-6991

Source: New Line Cinema

CONTACT: Nicole Butte, Director of Interactive Marketing,
+1-310-967-6620, or Candice McDonough, Director, Publicity and Corporate
Communications, +1-310-967-6991, both of New Line Cinema

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