MALIBU, Calif., Aug. 17, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Publicity and momentum from seven theatrical releases will drive a record quarter of video sales results, reports Empire Film Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets:EFGU) (http://www.empirefilmgroup.com), an emerging independent film distribution company. DVD and Blu-ray sales from seven key titles, plus three direct-to-video releases and sales from Empire's existing film library, should generate at least $17 million in sales for the first quarter of 2010, with operating profits of $4.5 million for Empire Home Entertainment.
"Our management team has been working for the past 18 months to build a solid schedule of theatrical releases and acquisitions," said Dean Hamilton-Bornstein, Empire CEO. "These video results for Q1 indicate the viability of our business model as a full-service distributor, and exceed the expectations predicted by analysts such as Beacon Equities. This new release slate will position Empire as one of the top independent distributors, and elevate the company alongside the major studios as a key DVD and Blu-ray supplier."
Theatrical titles for Empire that will be released onto DVD and Blu-ray in early 2010 include "War Eagle, Arkansas," a family drama now in theatres, "The Secret of Kells," an acclaimed animated feature, "The Countess," an impressive period-thriller, and "Thru The Moebius Strip," a $16 million, 3D style animated sci-fi adventure. "War Eagle, Arkansas" will be the first onto video for Empire in 2010, with a street date of January 12, 2010 for both DVD and Blu-ray format units. Empire plans to release one or more new titles every two weeks thereafter for a total of ten new releases during the first quarter of 2010.
Three additional new titles, not yet announced by Empire, are scheduled for release to theaters in late 2009 and are expected to be included in the Q1 video release slate.
"The acquisition and release of completed film and video properties has proven to be an especially wise business model for Empire," said Bornstein. "As a distributor, we have the opportunity to view completed films and make informed acquisition decisions to select only the highest quality products. The financial model of a film distributor is that we are the last money in, and the first money back out. While there are definitely long term benefits to producing films that the company owns, our current acquisitions-driven business model enables Empire to quickly generate revenues and profits without the expenditure and time delays associated with film productions."
Empire Film Group is a fully integrated entertainment company, with direct distribution activities to theaters, video and television markets. Principal executives for Empire include Bornstein as CEO, Jim Townsend as head of production, and film distribution veterans Eric Parkinson, Fred Shefte and David Magedman. The company maintains corporate offices in Malibu, California and operates a distribution center and warehouse in N.W. Arkansas, near the company's largest DVD customer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Empire also owns and operates Hannover House, a respected book publishing company established in 1993.
For more information on current Empire releases, go to: www.EmpireFilmGroup.com, or check out www.WarEagleArkansas.com, or www.TheSecretofKells.com.