Lincoln Zephyr Rolls Out Red Carpet for Premiere of Lionsgate's 'Akeelah and the Bee'

Lincoln Zephyr Rolls Out Red Carpet for Premiere of Lionsgate's 'Akeelah and the Bee'

LOS ANGELES, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The all-new Lincoln Zephyr is teaming with Lionsgate to invite audiences to "Reach Higher" during today's premiere of "Akeelah and the Bee," an inspirational story of an 11-year-old girl from South Los Angeles and her quest for a spot at the Scripps National Spelling Bee opening Nationwide on April 28th.

"Akeelah and the Bee" actors Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett and Keke Palmer, along with the movie's director, Doug Atchison, will arrive at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills in style and comfort courtesy of Lincoln Zephyr. Sharing the night's spotlight with the film's talent, Lincoln Zephyrs will individually chauffeur the cast and creators to and from the premiere screening and after party.

"Lincoln is pleased to work with Lionsgate and to host the film's A-list talent, including Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett and exciting newcomer Keke Palmer in our all-new luxury automobiles," said Ford Motor Company Global Brand Entertainment Manager Myles Romero.

"Lincoln is a classy, all American brand which is a perfect complement for the universal appeal of 'Akeelah and the Bee.' Their presence will add to the glamour of our world premiere event," said Tom Ortenberg, Lionsgate President Theatrical Films.

Prior to the premiere, Lollipop Theater Network (Lollipop), a non-profit organization that brings the magic of movies to children suffering from chronic or life-threatening illnesses at hospitals nationwide, in conjunction with Lincoln and Lionsgate, will host an afternoon screening at Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA followed by a Spelling Bee conducted by Los Angeles-based non-profit The Art of Elysium.

In addition, Lincoln and Lionsgate will partner with Lollipop in New York and Detroit to screen "Akeelah and the Bee" for children at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian and the Children's Hospital of Michigan.

"'Akeelah and the Bee' shares the same source of inspiration as our Lincoln brand -- it celebrates the spirit of American optimism that challenges us all to Reach Higher," said Lincoln Brand Manager Tom Grill, "It's great to work with an organization like Lollipop to bring a film with such a positive message to kids."

"Lollipop is so thankful to Lionsgate and Lincoln for screening such an inspirational film for these special children who are striving to overcome so much in their young lives," said Executive Director Evelyn Iocolano. "'Akeelah and the Bee' will provide a much needed escape for them."

About Lincoln

Lincoln is a brand of the Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., which manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With nearly 325,000 employees and 110 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, visit www.fordvehicles.com.

About the Lincoln Zephyr

In fall of 2005, Lincoln introduced the Zephyr -- a new theme line celebrating the American entrepreneurial spirit. The all-new 2006 Zephyr begins a new product wave for Lincoln as the brand's first entry-level luxury sedan, making the brand relevant to a new generation of younger consumers ready to move up to a luxury vehicle. The all-new Zephyr masterfully combines advanced features with abundant creature comforts. From outstanding ride characteristics to an available Navigation System, Zephyr delivers a premium ride.

About Lollipop Theater Network

Founded in 2001, Lollipop Theater Network is dedicated to bringing the laughter and magic of movies to children confined to hospitals nationwide, due to chronic or life-threatening illnesses. By working in collaboration with leading motion picture studios, Lollipop Theater Network brings current theatrical G, PG and PG-13 film releases into hospitals for group and isolation patient screenings. The organization has been able to offer its program to 28 hospitals across the country and has screened nearly 100 films since its inception. For more information, please visit: www.lollipoptheater.org

About Lionsgate

Lionsgate (NYSE:LGF) is the leading independent filmed entertainment studio. Fresh off the number one box office hits "Madea's Family Reunion," "Hostel" and "Saw II" and the Best Picture Academy Award(R)-winning "Crash," Lionsgate is a premier producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library of more than 5,000 titles is a valuable source of stable, recurring revenue and is a foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the globe. For more information on Lionsgate, visit www.lionsgate.com.

Source: Lincoln

CONTACT: Lydia Cisaruk of Lincoln Mercury, +1-313-337-8299,
lcisaruk@ford.com; or Ryan Croy of Fifteen Minutes PR, +1-323-556-9700,
ryan@fifteenminutes.com, for Lincoln Zephyr; or Stacey Mooradian of Lionsgate,
+1-310-255-4921, smooradian@lionsgate.com; or Evelyn Iocolano of Lollipop
Theater Network, +1-800-545-0814, evelyn@lollipoptheater.org

Web site: http://www.lollipoptheater.org/

Web site: http://www.lionsgate.com/

Web site: http://www.fordvehicles.com/

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