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Wednesday, 05/10/2006 10:47:00 AM

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 10:47:00 AM

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Very interesting Article on a Movie

Imperia Entertainment Announces Partnership with TKO Major League MMA to Produce Mixed Martial Art (MMA) Movie

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2006--Imperia Entertainment, Inc. (Pink Sheets: IPRE - News) announced today that it has signed an agreement with the TKO Major League MMA (mixed martial arts) organization (http://www.tkomma.tv/) to co-produce an independent movie with the working title "Never Submit."

The movie was written and will be directed by Imperia president James Hergott.

The deal calls for some footage of the movie to be shot at a July event put on by TKO in Montreal, Canada with an option to film at a September event if more time is needed. Fights for the movie will be filmed in between real fights for the event. Additional filming will continue over the following weeks in Montreal, Quebec and possibly Ontario, Canada.

Imperia Entertainment will also seek out well-known real fighters to appear in the movie as fictional characters.

TKO is the top MMA organization in Canada. It often has fighters go on to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (http://www.ufc.com/), the top MMA organization in the World.

President of TKO, Stephane Patry, also manages several top fighters who have fought both in TKO and the UFC, including fan favorite Georges "Rush" St.-Pierre (http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=3500), who recently beat MMA's best pound for pound fighter, BJ Penn at the UFC's USA vs. Canada event. This event featured a number of fighters managed by Mr. Patry. It was recently announced that Georges St.-Pierre would get a title shot for the UFC World Welterweight Championship, possibly in September.

Both George St.-Pierre and Stephane Patry were recently featured in the following Toronto Sun article, talking about the rise of the sport: http://torontosun.com/Sports/OtherSports/2006/04/17/1537296-sun.html.

The film will also benefit from tax incentives from the provincial and federal government in Canada, as Mr. Hergott is a Canadian citizen. The movie will be filmed exclusively in Canada. Actors and the fighters will be from both Canada and the US.

Some of the actors may also get an opportunity to train with Georges St.-Pierre or other top fighters managed by Mr. Patry, prior to filming in order to bring greater realism to the movie. Additionally, some of TKO's sponsors may participate in the movie, helping to reduce the movie's budget. Since the movie is fictitious, Imperia Entertainment is open to working with other sponsors as well who would like to be showcased in the film.

Mr. Hergott comments, "This is the most exciting project I have ever been involved with. I have been an MMA fan since its North American introduction in 1993. I have competed in Judo, and have closely followed MMA. I frequently visit, and sometimes post on the fan sites. I believe the sport is about to explode into the mainstream, and I intend to be a part of that movement. My intention is to not portray MMA as an underground blood sport, but rather to show the courage, integrity and inspiration of the fighters. I want to do right by the hard-core fans, and also to bring in new fans to the sport. I will do everything to make this movie as realistic and exciting as possible."

TKO president Stephane Patry will serve as an Executive Producer for the project. Mr. Patry comments on the deal: "I am very enthusiastic to work with Mr. Hergott and Imperia Entertainment. This will mean great things for the TKO organization; we bring one of the best production value in the sport of MMA and now the Hollywood world will discover why insiders say TKO is the best-kept secret in MMA."

Additionally, Imperia announced that Cindy Ortiz, who has written for top MMA online magazines, including MMA Weekly (http://www.mmaweekly.com/) and MMA Fighting (http://www.mmafighting.com/) will be a producer for the movie. Ms. Ortiz will serve as a liaison between Imperia Entertainment and the MMA world.

Ms. Ortiz has close relationships with several organizations, as well as fighters, and brings a wealth of knowledge about the sport. She has been an advocate for the sport since the mid '90s when Senator McCain spearheaded a campaign to have it banned from North America. Since then both the Nevada and New Jersey athletic commissions have sanctioned the sport.

Ms. Ortiz comments: "I feel that this is a project that will appeal to MMA fans not only in North America, but all over the world. It is a pleasure to be involved."

"Never Submit" is a movie which portrays the thrill of victory and agony of defeat within the sport. The story is set in a tournament setting similar to the movie "Bloodsport" but rather than exploiting the sport as underground no-holds-barred fighting, it seeks to portray the sport in a realistic and positive light.

The movie will be an inspirational tale similar to "Rocky." Unlike "Rocky" the lead character is an educated young man, rather than a beaten-down punch-drunk fighter.

Mr. Hergott comments: "MMA is a very intellectual sport. A physical chess match. I want to portray the sport and its fighters as intelligent rather than dumb brawlers, as is often done in other movies."

MMA is an emerging sport, which has already gained huge acceptance in Asia and looks poised to explode into the mainstream in North America. Indeed, several landmarks have recently occurred within the sport of MMA. For example, Marc Ratner, who served with the Nevada State Athletic Commission since 1984, and as its Executive Director for the last 13 years, recently left his job to join the UFC. In his new position he will seek to attain sanctioning of the sport in additional states.

Also, the UFC held its first event in California at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim on April 15th. The event quickly sold out all 18,000 seats in two days and was the fastest sell-out event in UFC history and brought in a $9 million US gate. A similar event is scheduled for May 27th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA.

The sport is also gaining exposure on television. The IFL recently signed a distribution deal with Fox Sports Net for their first event in April, and the UFC just extended its content deal with Spike TV. The UFC's MMA-based reality show "The Ultimate Fighter" is the top rated-series for Spike TV, formerly called "the network for guys." Season #1 (13 weeks) of "The Ultimate Fighter" averaged a 1.7 HH rating (1.5 million) with a 2.0 (1,015,000) in M18-49, a 2.4 (604,000) in M18-34, and an average audience of 2.1 million viewers.

The 3rd "Ultimate Fighter" season premiered April 6th, 2006 as the most-watched original series premiere in Spike TV History. It drew record ratings for the network and out-delivered anything else in television in its timeslot in the hard-to-reach demographic of Men 18-34. The 90-minute premiere also out-delivered major competition on cable including the NBA on TNT (Pistons vs. Heat and Lakers vs. Nuggets) and USA Networks' coverage of The Masters.

Among the notable ratings achievements for the premiere of Spike TV's "The Ultimate Fighter 3" include:

* 1 among Men 18-34 (3.71, 971,000) in its timeslot, out-delivering everything on broadcast, cable, or pay cable.
* 1 in HH rating (1.95), average audience (2.4 million), Men 25-34 (5.03, 758,000), Men 18-49 (2.70, 1,411,000), Persons 18-49 (1.67, 1,794,000) (Ad-supported cable only).
* Highest household ratings for an original series premiere in Spike TV history (1.95).
* Defeated TNT's NBA doubleheader featuring the leagues marquee teams including Pistons vs. Heat/Lakers vs. Nuggets in household rating (1.95 to 1.68), average audience (2.4 million to 1.8 million), and Men 18-34 (3.61 to 1.41).
* Defeated USA Networks' coverage of golf's biggest tournament, The Masters, in average audience (2.4 to 2.2 million), Men 18-34 (3.61 to 0.72), and Men 18-49 (2.70 to 1.01).
* Highest delivery of Men 18-34 in network history for an original series versus last year in the timeslot (MXC), up +236% in households, +429% in Men 18-49, +395% in Men 18-34, and +262% in average audience.
* Earlier in the evening, Spike TV simulcasted the first-ever LIVE network sporting show (Ultimate Fight Night Live) to a mobile device, Amp'd Mobile.

On the popular search engine yahoo.com, MMA fighters and events routinely are at the top of the list of most-often-searched sports, often beating out huge mainstream sports such as football and basketball. This is further proof that MMA is a huge underground hit with young adult males. Earlier this week it was even more searched on yahoo.com than popular reality TV show "American Idol."

With several debuts occurring in the great state of California over the next few months, all signs point to this being just the beginning.

Mr. Hergott comments: "This project just makes financial sense for Imperia. I believe that MMA is poised to take off in North America, and is already huge around the world. There is a huge niche market out there for it and this is just the beginning. I feel that we are ahead of the curve with this movie and appealing to the young male demographic that advertisers and sponsors are eager to attract. When you factor in the financial incentives from the Canadian government, and the fact that we are able to save on costs by filming at a live event, the deal makes absolute sense financially and otherwise. A majority of theatergoers are kids, teenagers and young adults. We are aimed right at the market that we need to be going after. I am 29 years old and this is a movie that I would go out to see even if I wasn't involved. Traditional Hollywood is often slow to react to trends and is out of touch with the mainstream. This is the right movie at the right time for us. This is a direction I want to take the company."

About TKO

GROUPE TKO MMA inc., a Canadian-owned and based company has its headquarters in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. TKO is Canada's #1 Combat sports fight promotion and one of the world leaders in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). TKO produces five (5) pay-per-view events yearly that are broadcasted on Viewer's Choice Canada (pay-per-view), Bell Express Vu (pay-per-view satellite provider) and Star Choice (pay-per-view). TKO events are also broadcasted on Canada's Largest Sports Network, from coast to coast on TSN, in Quebec on RDS and everywhere in North America on The Fight Network. All the events are distributed on DVD.

TKO MAJOR LEAGUE MMA(TM) is the place for the real fight fan! -- With TKO, you know what to expect! Whether you are a fan of wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, grappling or even pro wrestling TKO is YOUR source for 100% ACTION. With superior matchmaking, recognizable personalities, and top notch production it's no wonder why TKO has become regarded as one of the best mixed martial art promotions on earth. Created by fight fans for fight fans, TKO has made it a mission to provide you, the fans, with the most dramatic and action packed shows around.

TKO was created to solidify this sport as the combat sport of the new century. To do so, the organization has put the emphasis on superior matchmaking, spectacular production value and guaranteed satisfaction for fight fans around the world. Fight fans have learned that they can rely on TKO for a steady flow of action packed bouts like no other event in the world.

Athletes have traveled from around the world to battle it out for TKO gold and a chance to showcase their talents for a worldwide audience. TKO also made it a priority to give local Canadian fighters a place in Mixed Martial Art history. The TKO rules have allowed athletes to properly display their skills in the most intense competition of them all. The TKO rule structure has also provided the fans with continuous action both standing up and on the ground. Whether it's the best strikers or the best grapplers, TKO is the place where the true champions will find their real challenge.

About Stephane Patry

TKO is the brainchild of one of the most prominent figures in the Canadian mixed martial arts scene. Stephane Patry has created TKO out of a genuine passion for the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. "From the fans to the fighters, our goal is for everyone to leave our show fulfilled," says Patry.

Stephane Patry has played a crucial role in the popularization of the sport of MMA in Canada. Patry has worked in conjunction with the CRTC in the introduction of the sport to Canadian Pay-Per-View as well as working with the Quebec Athletic Commission on improving the rules to make MMA the most exciting sport on the planet. Stephane broke into the scene with a huge experience in the television business as well as a degree in Communications and Public Relations.

Since day one, Stephane Patry has worked tirelessly at improving the organization. Under his leadership, TKO has become one of the fastest-growing MMA organizations in the world. Hosting a weekly MMA show on national television, staging "Proving Ground" events to nurture young talent and producing the large scale TKO events are only a few of Patry's accomplishment. With his experience, talent and the close relationship he enjoys with his athletes and the corporate sponsors of TKO, Stephane Patry believes the sky is the limit for the organization and the great sport of Mixed Martial Arts.

"I always thought MMA could become very big if presented the proper way, if developed as a sport, not a freak show." Stephane Patry has worked very closely with the CRTC in the battle to bring MMA back on Pay-Per-View in Canada and has done color commentating on numerous Pay-Per-View events for the UFC, K-1, UCC and now with TKO. He also hosts the weekly Mixed Martial Art show on the Canadian sports network, RDS. Patry's experience in the television and combat sport industry has proved to be the back bone of the organization.

About MMA

The popular online encyclopedia Wikipedia, defines MMA in the following way (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed_martial_arts):

"Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a combat sport in which two competitors attempt to achieve dominance over one another by utilizing a wide variety of permitted martial arts techniques, including striking and grappling. Well-known MMA organizations include the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Pride Fighting Championships (Pride FC). MMA was previously known as 'NHB' or 'No Holds Barred,' but this term is now technically retired. NHB is no longer an accurate designation of the modern sport, with its formalized rules and banned techniques that were developed for the fighter's safety.

"Mixed martial arts was originally based around the concept of pitting different martial arts and fighting styles against each other in competition with minimal rules, in an attempt to determine which system would be more effective in a real combat situation. Modern MMA competition is an evolution of such events, but rules have been implemented to promote the sport, while at the same time maintaining as much of the original no-holds-barred concept as possible. There is however no general sanctioning body for the sport, and the sets of rules vary according to organization.

"The techniques utilized in MMA competition generally fall into two categories: striking techniques (such as kicks, knees and punches) and grappling techniques (such as clinch holds, pinning holds, submission holds, sweeps, takedowns and throws). Some unarmed hand-to-hand combat techniques are considered illegal in arguably all modern MMA competition, such as biting, eye-gouging, fish-hooking and small joint manipulation. The legality of other techniques such as elbows, head butts and spinal locks vary according to competition or organization.

"Victory is normally gained through a knockout, a submission, a stoppage by the referee, the fight doctor or a competitor's corner-person, or by a decision by the judges scoring the fight."

About Imperia Entertainment, Inc.

Imperia Entertainment, Inc. (www.imperiaentertainment.com) is a company that has emerged as a player in the area of independent film production and distribution, once monopolized by the major film studios. In conjunction with its distribution subsidiary, Imperia International Distribution, the company engages in investing in and producing and distributing full-length feature films. Along with its equity interest in the widely anticipated "All That I Need" (www.allthatineed.net), released in theaters last December and now on DVD, Imperia's film properties include its feature film in post production, "Say it In Russian," directed by Jeff Celentano ("Primary Suspect," "Gunshy") and edited by David Rawlins ("Saturday Night Fever"); "Brothers," by Tarquin Gotch ("Home Alone"); "Whiskers," by Jordan Klein ("Flipper," "Splash," "Cocoon"); the award-winning "Autograph" television series (www.autograph.tv), which airs on the Colours Television Network; and the "Faces and Names" television series.

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief, or current expectations of Imperia Entertainment, Inc., and members of its management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Important factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include fluctuation of operating results, the ability to compete successfully, and the ability to complete before-mentioned transactions. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or changes to future operating results.

Sponsors or fighters who wish to become involved with "Never Submit" and all MMA media inquiries should contact Cindy Ortiz at cindy@mmafighting.com.

All entertainment related inquiries should contact Imperia PR contact Vivian Fullerlove at musbviv@yahoo.com.

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5128496


Contact:

Imperia Entertainment, Inc.
James Hergott, 310-275-0089
imperiaentertainment@gmail.com
or
Vivian Fullerlove, 214-564-3359 (Public Relations)
musbviv@yahoo.com

Source: Imperia Entertainment, Inc.