Seven Arts Entertainment Announces Seven Arts Film Distribution in the United States and First Motion Pictures to Be Distributed by Seven Arts Film Distribution

LOS ANGELES, CA–(Marketwire – Sep 10, 2012) – Seven Arts Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ: SAPX) (“Seven Arts” or the “Company”) announced today that its subsidiary Seven Arts Filmed Entertainment Louisiana (“SAFELA”) has commenced theatrical, video, digital and television distribution in the United States. This new division will be managed by Keith Leopard, an experienced executive in United States ancillary distribution, and Kate Hoffman, Chief Operating Officer of Seven Arts. Seven Arts Film Distribution has, through Mr. Leopard, an agency for physical distribution through Viva Pictures, and will handle all other media directly. Seven Arts Film Distribution will also distribute in conjunction with David Garber’s company, Lantern Lane Entertainment, an experienced distributor of motion pictures, television and digital outlets in the United States and GFM Films, Seven Arts’ partner in international distribution. Mr. Leopard will be actively seeking acquisitions for Seven Arts Film Distribution. Three acquisitions are now pending.

Seven Arts’ intends that the first motion picture to be distributed by Seven Arts Film Distribution are the following motion pictures owned by Seven Arts:

1. ”Schism” - a new psychological thriller with horror elements from director Adam Gierasch and starring Callum Blue, Vinnie Jones, Ashlynn Yennie and Nicole Lalibertie.

2. “Nine Miles Down” – a supernatural thriller from acclaimed director, Anthony Waller, starring Adrian Paul and Kate Nauta.

3. “DMX Uncut” – featuring multi-platinum Seven Arts recording artist DMX in concert and “behind the scenes.”

4. “It’s A Bone Thing” – featuring platinum Seven Arts’ recording artist Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

Keith Leopard is an industry veteran with over 23 years of experience in purchasing, acquisitions, merchandising, marketing and analysis of major studio and independent suppliers to the home entertainment market. Keith spent 22 years at Blockbuster Entertainment and recently was at Millennium Entertainment as VP of Business Development, and spearheaded Millennium’s IVOD strategy.

Chief Operating Officer, Kate Hoffman, said, “It is a natural extension of our existing international sales and production business to take control of our destiny in the ever competitive and ever changing world of US distribution. I am thrilled that Keith has decided to join our company and very much look forward to working with him, David Garber and the team at Viva.”

Keith Leopard said, “I am excited about this opportunity to assist Kate and the folks at Seven Arts with building their distribution business. Along with David Garber, I feel certain we can build a solid business and maximize all opportunities to deliver quality content to consumers, in whichever way they want to consume it.”

About Seven Arts Entertainment Inc.:
Seven Arts Entertainment Inc. is the successor to Seven Arts Pictures Plc, which was founded in 2002 as an independent motion picture production and distribution company engaged in the development, acquisition, financing, production and licensing of theatrical motion pictures for exhibition in domestic (i.e., the United States and Canada) and foreign theatrical markets, and for subsequent worldwide release in other forms of media, including home video and pay and free television.

Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made under the Safe Harbor Provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated. Seven Arts assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments.

2012-09-10 10:55:58

Source: http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=1699373&sourceType=3