City Lights Pictures Acquires Sundance Documentary Prize Winner 'Manda Bala' for North America

City Lights Pictures Acquires Sundance Documentary Prize Winner 'Manda Bala' for North America

Celsius takes foreign rights, Sundance Channel takes domestic broadcast rights

CANNES, France, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Danny Fisher, CEO of New York-based City Lights Pictures, a division of City Lights Media Group, announced today that it has acquired North American distribution rights to 2007 Sundance Film Festival Documentary Grand Jury Prize winner "Manda Bala." Simultaneously, Celsius picked up foreign distribution rights and the Sundance Channel took domestic broadcast rights.

Cinetic Media represented the filmmakers in the deal.

"Manda Bala" (Send a Bullet) is a controversial documentary that artfully connects seemingly disparate elements such as a frog farm in the Amazon, kidnappings, and plastic surgery in Brazil. In so doing the film conducts a dazzling, yet harrowing examination of the tragic domino effect that has reshaped the face of the country and created an entire industry built on corruption and violence. First-time director Jason Kohn also produced the film alongside Jared Ian Goldman and Joey Frank.

"Manda Bala" will be released theatrically by City Lights Pictures in the summer of this year. City Lights Home Entertainment will handle home video through its DVD and digital distribution deal with WEA Corp., Warner Music Group's U.S. sales and retail marketing company.

"'Manda Bala' is one of the most powerful and visually stunning films I've seen in a long time," says Danny Fisher. "We feel privileged to be involved with this special film and to be working with Jason Kohn, who is an extremely talented new filmmaker." Fisher adds, "What's truly amazing about this unique film is that it is more than just about one country - the shocking themes that it deals with are without boundaries."

"Having worked for five hard years in the making of this film, I am thrilled that it has found a home with City Lights, Celsius, and Sundance Channel," says helmer Jason Kohn. "I am grateful for the enthusiasm shown by these three companies and am confident that they will thoroughly support 'Manda Bala' in every market."

This acquisition comes on the heels of other major developments at City Lights Media Group - Alec Baldwin starrer "Brooklyn Rules," released by City Lights Pictures opened in select theaters May 18th. City Lights Pictures' star-studded comedy "The Ten," directed by David Wain, will be released by THINKFilm for a national theatrical release on August 3rd. Official Tribeca Film Festival '07 selection "Descent" starring Rosario Dawson, will be released theatrically by City Lights Pictures in October, 2007.

About City Lights Media Group

City Lights Media Group has become one of New York City's most respected and fastest growing media companies, engaged in film and television financing, production and distribution and operating one of the largest post-production facilities in the country. City Lights Pictures executive produced John Waters' "A Dirty Shame" for New Line Cinema and produced supernatural thriller "Tamara" for Lionsgate. Recent films produced include "Descent," starring Rosario Dawson and produced by Morris S. Levy's MEGA Films and "The Ten," directed by David Wain and starring Paul Rudd, Winona Ryder and Jessica Alba. Recent acquisitions include Michael Corrente's "Brooklyn Rules" starring Alec Baldwin. City Lights Pictures is in development on "Interrupted" about legendary director Nicholas Ray to be directed by Philip Kaufman. City Lights Television is currently in production on over 200 episodes of television for networks including AMC, TLC, Discovery, HGTV, WE, Fine Living, Sundance Channel, DIY, Oxygen, Speed Channel and MTV. Series currently airing include AMC's "Movies 101," HGTV's "Hammered" and "Don't Sweat It," and TLC's "Cover Shot." City Lights TV recently won a NY Emmy for "Walking with Johnny." City Lights Digital's series include its popular daily broadband show "Heavy News" on Heavy.com, and mobile phone series for VH1 and Sprint, "The Dingo Ate My Video." For more information, please visit http://www.citylightsmedia.com/.

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Source: City Lights Media Group

CONTACT: Arlyn Davich of Rubenstein Public Relations, +1-212-843-8392,
adavich@rubensteinpr.com, for City Lights Media Group

Web site:

http://www.citylightsmedia.com/

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