MALIBU, Calif., April 1, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Building on recent successes with theatrical and DVD releases, Empire Film Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets:EFGU) (http://www.empirefilmgroup.com) announced today its highest profile acquisition to date in a deal for the North American rights to the $16 million CGI epic, "Thru The Moebius Strip," from Fantastic Films International. The sci-fi themed animated film is based on an original story and design by legendary French artist Jean "Moebius" Giraud, and features principal voice talent by Mark Hamill ("Star Wars"), Jonathan Taylor Thomas ("The Adventures of Pinocchio"), Michael Dorn ("Star Trek: First Contact" "Star Trek: Nemesis"), and Peri Gilpin ("Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within").
"This is a visually stunning film that should appeal to science fiction fans as well as mainstream audiences," said Dean Hamilton-Bornstein, CEO of Empire Film Group, Inc. "We are proud to have been selected by Fantastic Films International as their distribution partner in this market, and know that we will do very well together with this amazing movie."
The film chronicles the adventures of a young boy who must pass through a portal to another dimension to rescue his father, who is being held prisoner by a race of alien giants. "Thru The Moebius Strip" presents a visual cornucopia of imaginative worlds, fantastic creatures and stunning technological visions by Jean Giraud who was the design and creative force behind epic films such as "The Fifth Element" and "The Abyss."
Empire plans to release the film to theaters this summer with a DVD and Blu-Ray release occurring in early 2010.
EMPIRE FILM GROUP owns or controls a library of more than 170 titles, over half of which are currently in release. Top selling current DVD titles for Empire include ``The Last Brickmaker In America'' starring Sidney Poitier, ``Grand Champion'' starring Bruce Willis and Emma Roberts, and ``Teen Yoga'' starring Miss Teen USA (2005), Allie LaForce.
Los Angeles-based FANTASTIC FILMS INTERNATIONAL (FFI) is a full service, worldwide sales company created by Roxane Barbat and Fred deWysocki. The company was launched in January of 2002 and specializes in theatrical films, such as SPIRIT OF THE FOREST, A FOX'S TALE and AGENT CRUSH, with budgets up to $60M. In 2005, FFI expanded into executive producing in order to bring their expertise and resources to improve their product by getting involved at the early stage. FFI represents a brand of "fantastic" independent films in every sense of the word.
Learn more about Empire Film Group at www.empirefilmgroup.com
Learn more about Fantastic Films International at www.fantasticfilmsinternational.com