MALIBU, Calif., Jan. 8, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Empire Film Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets:EFGU) (http://www.empirefilmgroup.com) has entered into a venture with Vancouver-based Industry-Works International and Toronto-based Vivendi Entertainment Canada for the release of the company's highly anticipated feature, "Hounddog," starring Dakota Fanning. Vivendi, a division of Universal Music Group and Universal Studios, will release the film to mass merchants and other video retailers throughout Canada on March 3, in both DVD and Blu-Ray formats.
"This represents a further expansion of our relationship with Industry-Works," said Empire CEO Dean Hamilton-Bornstein. "We have been impressed with their team as we have progressed with ventures together covering international sales and co-productions. To utilize Industry-Works for the release of some of our Empire films into the Canadian market makes a lot of sense, especially when partnered with the highly respected team at Vivendi-Universal."
"It's tracking to be a significant hit for the Canadian video market," said Craig Adlard, VP of Sales for Industry-Works. "Initial orders and response from the key retailers indicate that 'Hounddog' will be one of the top selling independent films on video for the entire industry this quarter."
"Hounddog" was released theatrically in the U.S. marketplace by Empire Film Group, Inc., where it will be released February 3rd by wholly-owned divisions Empire Home Entertainment and Hannover House. The film played at theaters in 25 key U.S. markets, and garnered unanimous praise from major film critics for the powerful and inspiring performance of young actress Dakota Fanning in the leading role. Andrew Sarris, veteran film reviewer for the New York Observer, included "Hounddog" in his 2008 annual recap of top movies for the year.
"Hounddog" was written and directed by Deborah Kampmeier, and produced by Kampmeier, Jen Gatien and Scott Franklin. The film tells the story of a 12-year old girl in the late 1950's who finds comfort in the music of Elvis Presley as an escape from a dysfunctional and abusive family life. The DVD and Blu-Ray units have a running time of 99 minutes (excluding bonus features), and will be released in widescreen format (1:1.85 aspect ratio) and Dolby 5.1 Stereo. The film's MPAA rating is "R".
For more information on Hounddog, including poster art, trailer and downloadable items, visit: www.HoundDogMovie.com.
Learn more about Empire Film Group at www.empirefilmgroup.com
Information is also available at: www.Industry-Works.com and www.VivendiVisual.ca