Airlines Worldwide to Screen 'BEAT THE DRUM' on World AIDS Day

Airlines Worldwide to Screen 'BEAT THE DRUM' on World AIDS Day

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of World AIDS Day (December 1), more than 30 commercial airlines will air the award-winning film BEAT THE DRUM, raising more than $300,000 to help orphans in Africa. Passengers on more than 40,000 flights throughout the month of December -- including American Airlines, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, United Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air New Zealand, Emirates, KLM, Singapore Airlines, and South African Airways -- will see the inspiring feature film, which calls attention to the more than 12 million children in Africa orphaned by AIDS.

The film follows Musa, a young South African village boy, left parentless by a "mysterious disease," who sets out alone for urban Johannesburg in search of his uncle and the truth about what is killing his people. Musa arrives only to find the streets already teeming with orphaned kids. Urged by his determination, Musa finds a way to make an honest living and returns to his village bringing hope and a new understanding about HIV/AIDS.

BEAT THE DRUM was inspired by a visit to East and South Africa by producer W. David McBrayer, who also wrote the screenplay. "It became so clear to me," McBrayer said, "that telling a story about AIDS seen through a child's eyes allows you to highlight issues that normally are tough to handle head on."

The film, winner of 29 film festival awards, will be screened in-flight on 34 airlines (representing 22 countries) throughout the month of December.

"BEAT THE DRUM is not the typical fare for airline in-flight viewing, but it's a story that simply must be told," said Bill Grant, president of Entertainment In Motion (EIM), distributor of the film. "We salute the airlines who were as moved as we were by this beautiful film and the importance of bringing this story to millions of airline passengers worldwide," Grant added.

EIM, which acquired non-theatrical rights to Z Productions' BEAT THE DRUM from Kimmel International, will donate 50% of the more than $600,000 in gross revenues from the film to charities benefiting African children left orphaned by AIDS, including the Heart for Africa foundation and Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA).

"We are deeply grateful for the remarkable generosity of Entertainment In Motion and for the interest of the many airlines that have embraced this film and the vital message it carries," said Sharon Gelman, executive director of ANSA, a nonprofit organization working to combat HIV/AIDS in South Africa and America. "This initiative will make a very real difference in the lives of South African children who have been orphaned by the disease and to those whose parents are sick and dying," Gelman added. The noted artists and activists who are founders and leading supporters of ANSA's efforts to assist AIDS orphans include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Carlos Santana, Samuel L. Jackson, Jackson Browne, George Lucas, and Alfre Woodard.

For more information:
World AIDS Day: www.worldaidscampaign.info
BEAT THE DRUM, the movie: www.beatthedrumthemovie.com
Artists for a New South Africa: www.ansafrica.org
Heart for Africa: www.heartforafrica.org.

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Entertainment In Motion (EIM) is an international motion picture distribution company specializing in non-theatrical markets. EIM provides entertainment to more than 130 airlines worldwide. For more information, visit www.skyfilms.com.

Source: Entertainment In Motion

CONTACT: Bill Grant, President of Entertainment In Motion,
+1-310-574-9996

Web site: http://www.worldaidscampaign.info/

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

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

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

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

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