Lions Gate Entertainment Corp (LGF.B)

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LIONSGATE ACQUIRES DOMESTIC DIGITAL, VOD AND TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS TO FAITH-BASED BOX OFFICE HIT 'GOD'S NOT DEAD'

11:30 AM ET 7/10/14 | PR Newswire

LIONSGATE(R) (NYSE: LGF), the premier next generation global content leader, has entered into an agreement with Pure Flix Entertainment for the home entertainment distribution of the theatrical box office hit God's Not Dead, the two companies announced today. Under the agreement, Lionsgate has secured electronic sell-through (EST), VOD, SVOD, pay-per-view and television distribution rights in the U.S.

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God's Not Dead will be available on Digital HD, Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View on August 5, 2014, the same date as the Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD arrive in stores.

God's Not Dead surprised industry analysts by generating more than $60 million at the domestic box office, becoming one of the highest grossing independent films of the year and leading a recent wave of faith-based hits. Lionsgate's home entertainment distribution of the film extends the Company's longstanding presence in the faith-based market.

"The faith-based audience has a tremendous presence on social media and other online platforms, and we look forward to working with Pure Flix to craft an innovative roll-out campaign for God's Not Dead that capitalizes on our proficiency in the digital space and draws upon our partnerships with digital and traditional platforms alike," said Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television & Digital Distribution Jim Packer.

"Pure Flix Entertainment has done a wonderful job executing their theatrical campaign for God's Not Dead, and the success of the film underscores the breadth and depth of the Christian audience," said Anne Parducci, Lionsgate Executive Vice President of Home Entertainment Marketing. "We're pleased to continue building our presence in marketing to a faith-based demographic with whom we have a long track record."

"Lionsgate is a leader in the digital field," said David A. R. White, Pure Flix Managing Partner and co-star in the movie. "We are proud to partner with them."

The film stars Kevin Sorbo, Shane Harper and Dean Cain with special appearances by Willie and Korie Robertson (TV's "Duck Dynasty") and Christian music super group Newsboys. It weaves together stories from multiple characters with perspectives on faith, doubt and disbelief, and culminates in a dramatic call to action: if you believe God's Not Dead, prove it.

Josh Wheaton (Harper), a Christian freshman, begins his first real step toward a law degree and a planned future with his long-term girlfriend. Atheist philosophy instructor Professor Radisson (Sorbo) opens the first day of class by proposing that, in order to forego "dusty arguments" and failing grades, students may hand in a piece of paper declaring that "God Is Dead." Unable to bring himself to make such a declaration, Josh must defend his faith and prove to the class that God's Not Dead after all. As tensions mount, Josh quickly realizes that his stand may cost him everything. But his faith is unwavering...and life-changing to those around him.

The deal was negotiated for Lionsgate by Marc Danon, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Business Development, and for Pure Flix by David A. R. White and Thomas H. Vidal of Abrams Margolis Bergson LLP.

ABOUT LIONSGATE

Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms and international distribution and sales. Lionsgate currently has over 30 television shows on more than 20 networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as the multiple Emmy Award-winning Mad Men and Nurse Jackie, the comedy Anger Management, the network series Nashville, the syndication success The Wendy Williams Show and the critically-acclaimed hit series Orange is the New Black.

Its feature film business has been fueled by such recent successes as the blockbuster first two installments of The Hunger Games franchise, the first installment of the recently-launched Divergent franchise, Now You See Me, Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain, Warm Bodies, The Expendables 2, The Possession, Sinister, Roadside Attractions' Mud and Pantelion Films' breakout hit Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.

Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 15,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

ABOUT PURE FLIX

Pure Flix is the largest inspirational film studio in the world and has produced, acquired, marketed, and distributed over 75 faith and family-friendly properties. With a mission to transform the human spirit through values-based entertainment, Pure Flix is the industry leader in creating high-quality inspirational feature film content. PureFlix.com

For Lionsgate: Jennifer [e-mail]

For Pure Flix:Jennifer WillinghamIcon Media [e-mail]

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SOURCE Lionsgate