Cine Latino Inks Deals With Five Top Movie Distributors

Cine Latino Inks Deals With Five Top Movie Distributors

Channel acquires 90+ new titles, including exclusive rights to largest-ever showcase of Almodovar films

MIAMI, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- In an unprecedented move by a Spanish-language pay-television channel, Cine Latino has finalized deals with five of the world's leading film distributors, acquiring more than 90 new titles that include some of the most critically-acclaimed and biggest box office hits of recent years from across the U.S., Latin America, Mexico, and Spain.

Cine Latino has acquired major film packages from Sony, Disney, MGM, Lionsgate, and Gussi -- the largest movie distributor in Mexico.

"We are the only Spanish-language movie channel in the United States to have contracts in place with five of the top distributors of Spanish-language film," said Jim McNamara, chairman of Cine Latino. "Through our new acquisitions we have reinforced our position as the destination for the widest and most-current selection of Latino blockbusters available on the market."

In another unparalleled move, Cine Latino has assembled the largest showcase of Pedro Almodovar films ever to be presented on a Spanish-language service. Titles include 'Volver', a Golden Globe nominee and winner of Best Actress and Best Screenplay at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival starring Penelope Cruz; 'La Mala Educacion' ("Bad Education"), one of Almodovar's most serious works starring Gael Garcia Bernal; 'Todo Sobre Mi Madre' ("All About My Mother"), an Oscar-winning film starring Penelope Cruz; 'Matador' ("The Bullfighter"), an award-winning film with Antonio Banderas and Assumpta Serna; and 'Atame!' ("Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!"), a love drama starring Antonio Banderas and Victoria Abril. The Almodovar films will be available exclusively on Cine Latino.

"Cine Latino is the only channel in the U.S. where you will be able to find these award-winning movies by the most internationally-acclaimed Spanish filmmaker of our time," said McNamara. "No Spanish-language channel has ever been able to deliver the quality and diversity of programming that we are now able to offer."

Among the more than 90 recently-acquired titles include some of the best-selling recent theatrical releases of the Spanish-speaking world from Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Spain, Argentina, Peru, Puerto Rico and the United States. The new movies feature today's most popular and celebrated Latino stars, including Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas, Ruben Blades, Ana De La Reguera, Ana Claudia Talancon, Kate Del Castillo, Aaron Diaz, among many others.

Sample newly-acquired titles include:

-- 'El Crimen Del Padre Amaro' ("The Crime of Father Amaro"), the Oscar-nominated, highest-grossing film in the history of Mexican cinema, starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Ana Claudia Talancon.

-- 'American Visa', based on the best-selling book in Bolivia, starring Damian Bichir and Kate Del Castillo (from "La Misma Luna"). Winner of Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2006 Ariel Awards in Mexico.

-- 'Ninas Mal' ("Charm School"), one of the most popular Mexican movies of 2007 starring four of Mexico's favorite young actresses: Camila Sodi, Martha Higareda, Ximena Sarinana, and Maria Aura.

-- 'Secuestro Express' ("Express Kidnapping"), the critically-acclaimed, box office hit from Venezuela, starring Mia Maestro and Ruben Blades.

-- 'Bluff', a comedic thriller from Colombia that was presented at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, starring Victor Mallarino, Veronica Orozco and Carolina Gomez. Bluff was the highest-grossing Columbian movie of 2007.

-- 'Cansada de Besar Sapos' ("Tired of Kissing Frogs"), one of the highest-grossing Mexican films of all time starring Juan Manuel Bernal, Itati Cantoral and Pedro Damian.

Cine Latino has also assembled a wide collection of Latino-themed Hollywood films, including Mel Gibson's Oscar-nominated film 'Apocalypto' about the declining period of the Mayan civilization, Peter Sollett's award- winning film 'Raising Victor Vargas' about a teenager growing up in the Lower East Side of New York, and the Puerto Rican film 'Yellow' starring Rosalyn Sanchez as a classically-trained dancer who moves to New York to follow her dream of success.

"As the leading Spanish-language pay channel in the U.S., we are committed to delivering the best, widest selection of films for our viewer and making Cine Latino the premium entertainment destination for Hispanic audiences," said McNamara.

With more than 3.5 million cable and satellite subscribers, Cine Latino is the leading Spanish-language premium film channel in the United States. Cine Latino offers the most current Spanish-language blockbusters and critically-acclaimed titles from Mexico, Latin America, Spain, and the U.S.

About Cine Latino:

Cine Latino is the leading Spanish-language premium film channel in the United States, with more than 3.5 million cable and satellite subscribers in the United States. Cine Latino offers the most current Spanish-language blockbusters and critically-acclaimed titles from Mexico, Latin America, Spain, and the U.S. Cine Latino is co-owned by Grupo MVS, InterMedia Partners and Panamax Films.

Contact Cine Latino: Katie Hamlin
646.705.2874
khamlin@intermediaadvisors.com

Source: Cine Latino

CONTACT: Katie Hamlin, +1-646-705-2874, khamlin@intermediaadvisors.com,
for Cine Latino

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