Every week, I get several press releases, screening invitations and other notifications from a handful of studio contacts. While I won’t be sharing any information regarding my screening invites, some of the press releases might be of interest to my readers, so I thought I’d start sharing them in toto with all of you. These could include new image galleries for various films or important updates to upcoming releases from various smaller studios and art house production companies.

• Press Release: Mark Wahlberg to Receive MTV Generation Award at MTV Movie Awards
• Press Release: “To Chris Marker, An Unsent Letter” Comes to DVD
• Press Release: Amplify Takes Rights to “The Better Angels”
• Press Release: Celebs Gather for GALECA Dorian Awards “Winners Toast”
• Press Release: GKids Acquire Rights to “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”
• Press Release: Musicians On Call Name New President
• Press Release: New York International Children’s Film Festival Presents Full Day of Muppets Screenings and Events

Press Release: Mark Wahlberg to Receive MTV Generation Award at MTV Movie Awards

MARK WAHLBERG TO RECEIVE THE MTV GENERATION AWARD DURING THE “2014 MTV MOVIE AWARDS”

Cast of HBO’s “Entourage” to Reunite On-Stage for First Time to Present the Award

Conan O’Brien Hosts the “2014 MTV Movie Awards” LIVE On Sunday, April 13 from Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

Santa Monica, CA (March 10, 2014) – MTV announced today that Academy Award® nominated actor and producer Mark Wahlberg will be honored with the MTV Generation Award at the “2014 MTV Movie Awards” for his brilliant body of work in the film and television industry.

Wahlberg, known for his diverse film roles and television producer credits, will fittingly be presented the award by “Entourage” cast members Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Jerry Ferrara and Kevin Dillon. This will mark the first public reunion for the cast ahead of their highly anticipated movie release in June 2015. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the “2014 MTV Movie Awards” will air live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, April 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

“Mark Wahlberg is the definition of a modern day Renaissance Man: from Dirk Diggler to The Departed, The Basketball Diaries to Ted, “Entourage” to The Fighter, in front of the camera and behind – he’s done it all and he’s always memorable,” said Stephen Friedman, President of MTV. “Mark has captivated the MTV audience for over 20 years, and for this rare feat, we’re proud to recognize him with this year’s Generation Award.”

The “MTV Generation Award” is the “Movie Awards” highest honor, acknowledging an actor who has engaged the MTV audience throughout their career. Past recipients include Jamie Foxx, Johnny Depp, Reese Witherspoon, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Sandra Bullock, Mike Myers, Tom Cruise and Jim Carrey.

Over the past two decades, Wahlberg has become a Hollywood heavyweight, appearing in films ranging from award-winning action-packed dramas and thrillers to blockbuster comedies with credits including: Lone Survivor, Boogie Nights, The Perfect Storm, Italian Job, The Departed, The Fighter, Pain & Gain and Ted. His memorable role in The Departed as Sgt. Sean Dignam earned him nominations for an Academy Award® and Golden Globe in the “Best Supporting Actor” category. Wahlberg was also nominated for a Golden Globe as “Best Actor” for his role as “Micky Ward” in The Fighter and a Screen Actors Guild Award in the “Outstanding Performance” category. Wahlberg will next appear in Transformers: Age of Extinction.

Wahlberg’s success has translated from on camera to behind the scenes as a producer. His production credits include We Own the Night, The Fighter, for which he was nominated for his second Academy Award® for “Best Picture,” Contraband, Prisoners and Lone Survivor. His producer resume also extends to television as he produced one of the most critically-acclaimed, successful and fan-favorite show in HBO history, “Entourage,” and his new show with his family, “Wahlburgers.”

In addition, this year’s nominees set the stage for an epic showdown between critically-acclaimed films The Wolf of Wall Street and American Hustle, comedic hits We’re the Millers and This Is The End, blockbuster franchises The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and more.

Fans can get in on the fierce competition by casting votes for their favorite nominees at www.MovieAwards.MTV.com beginning today, Thursday, March 6 through Saturday, April 12 in categories you’ll never see in any other awards show, including Best Comedic Performance, Best Villain, Best Kiss, Best Scared-As-S**t Performance, Best Musical Moment, #WTF Moment, Best On-Screen Duo, Best Fight, Best Shirtless Performance and more. Voting for Movie of the Year will continue throughout the live broadcast of the show.

The 2014 MTV Movie Awards will air across MTV’s global network of more than 60 channels reaching more than half a billion households around the world. In addition, its convergent programming and content will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV’s more than 200 digital media properties around the world.

Official sponsors of the “2014 MTV Movie Awards” include Aquafina® FlavorSplash®, Chevrolet, GEICO®, Revlon®, Taco Bell®, T-Mobile® and Unilever.

Jesse Ignjatovic serves as Executive Producer for the “2014 MTV Movie Awards.” Garrett English serves as Executive Producer and Executive in Charge for MTV. Lee Lodge and Jen Jones serve as Executive Producers. Wendy Plaut serves as Co-Executive Producer and Executive in Charge of Celebrity Talent. Amy Doyle is Executive in Charge of Music and Celebrity Talent. Joanna Bomberg is Executive in Charge of Music Talent.

About MTV:
MTV is the world’s premier youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its Emmy®, Grammy® and Peabody® award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile. MTV’s sibling networks MTV2 and mtvU each deliver unparalleled customized content for young males, music fans and college students, and its online hub MTV.com is a leading destination for music, news and pop culture. MTV is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. For more information, go to www.mtvpress.com.

About Den of Thieves:
Founded in 2007 by Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager to create, develop and produce original television, Den of Thieves has emerged as a force for ambitious event shows and uniquely stylized reality television series. Using their extensive experience working with talent, their credits cover a vast array of formats and include VH1’s “The T.O. Show,” Comedy Central’s “Russell Brand in New York City”, Bravo’s “Start-Ups: Silicon Valley,” as well as the CMT Country Awards.

Press Release: “To Chris Marker, An Unsent Letter” Comes to DVD

Coming to Home Video DVD and VOD on April 22, 2014 – TO CHRIS MARKER, AN UNSENT LETTER

A film by Emiko Omori

March 10, 2014: Icarus Films is proud to announce the release of TO CHRIS MARKER, AN UNSENT LETTER, on home video on April 22, 2014. The film is a cinematic love letter to Chris Marker, the notoriously private filmmaker and artist, widely accepted to be one of the most innovative and influential filmmakers in modern cinema history.

Directed by Emmy-award winning cinematographer and filmmaker Emiko Omori, whose credits include Marker’s THE OWL’S LEGACY, the film is a contemplative essay whose form is inspired by Marker’s signature style. Marker, director of LA JETÉE, SANS SOLEIL, LE JOLI MAI and many other films, is self-described as the “best known author of unknown works”.

Alongside Omori’s thoughts and recollections of the filmmaker, and her examinations of some of his key works, the film incorporates interviews with Marker associates and admirers including film critic David Thomson, film programmers Tom Luddy and Peter Scarlet, filmmakers Marina Goldovskaya and Michael H. Shamberg, 12 MONKEYS screenwriters Janet and David Peoples (12 MONKEYS is based on Marker’s LA JETÉE), computer scientist Dirk Kuhlmann, and many others. Their warm reflections join Omori’s to examine the legacy of a filmmaker as beloved as he was enigmatic.

TO CHRIS MARKER, AN UNSENT LETTER has screened at Mill Valley, Barcelona & Hong Kong International Film Festivals.

Press Release: Amplify Takes Rights to “The Better Angels”

AMPLIFY FINDS A.J. EDWARDS’ THE BETTER ANGELS IN ITS NATURE

Sundance/Berlin festival favorite, produced by Terrence Malick, coming to theaters this fall.

Amplify HQ SXSW, Austin, TX March 10, 2014 – Amplify has acquired all US rights to director A.J. Edwards’ stunning vision of Abraham Lincoln’s childhood, THE BETTER ANGELS. Amplify will release the film to theaters this fall, followed by a VOD and home video release in early 2015.

Produced by acclaimed filmmaker Terrence Malick, THE BETTER ANGELS examines several formative events in young Abraham Lincoln’s life. Using visual and narrative poetry to express the Lincoln family’s life in the harsh wilderness of Indiana in 1817, the film explores Abraham’s family dynamic, the hardships that shaped him, and the two women who guided him to immortality. Written and directed by Edwards, and beautifully shot in glorious black-and-white, the film stars Diane Kruger, Jason Clarke, Brit Marling, and Wes Bentley.

Edwards, based in Austin, has worked extensively with producer Terrence Malick over the last decade, first as an editor on The New World, then as second-unit director and editor on The Tree of Life, To The Wonder, and the forthcoming Knight of Cups. This is his first narrative feature.

“From the first frame of THE BETTER ANGELS, we were struck by the power and originality of A.J.’s vision,” said Amplify’s C.E.O. Logan Mulvey, “and we think audiences will fall in love with the film just as quickly as the whole Amplify team has.”

“I am humbled by the passion Amplify has shown for THE BETTER ANGELS since its premiere,” said writer/director Edwards, “Our team is so glad this great company will be shepherding our film.”

THE BETTER ANGELS was written and directed by A.J. Edwards and produced by Terrence Malick, Nicolas Gonda, Jake DeVito, and Charley Beil. The deal was orchestrated by Cinetic Media and Alan Sacks & Hayden Goldblatt of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC on behalf of the filmmakers and Kent Sanderson on behalf of Amplify.

ABOUT AMPLIFY
Amplify is a bi-coastal all-rights distribution company that aims to bring the best in global independent film to theaters and beyond. Formed in 2014 from a merger of innovative theatrical distributor Variance Films (Sound City, Red Hook Summer, Go For Sisters) and leading digital distributor GoDigital, Amplify uses cutting edge marketing and distribution techniques with a focus on working directly with filmmakers to craft hand-tailored release campaigns for each film. Led by an executive team comprised of GoDigital’s Logan Mulvey, Variance Films’ Dylan Marchetti, and former Focus Features executive Kent Sanderson, Amplify is financed by Preferred Ventures. Upcoming Amplify releases include Terry Gilliam’s The Zero Theorem and Stuart Murdoch’s musical God Help The Girl.

Press Release: Celebs Gather for GALECA Dorian Awards “Winners Toast”

Avant-garde Celebs Gather at Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association’s Annual Dorian Awards “Winners Toast”

Orange is the New Black Favorite Lea Delaria and Interior. Leather Bar star Val Lauren Among Mix at Intimate Hollywood Party (photos below!)

HOLLYWOOD, CA / Monday, March 10, 2014 – Putting a final capper on the 2013/2014 awards-season while uncorking champagne, celebrities, industry execs and L.A.-area members of the Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association gathered to raise a toast to the nationwide group’s picks for last year’s best in TV and film (as announced back in January).

At GALECA’s annual “Winners Toast,” held Sunday afternoon in Hollywood, Lea Delaria – irrepressible prison inmate “Big Boo” on the Netflix hit Orange is the New Black – accepted the show’s booty of two GALECA Dorian awards, for TV Drama of the Year and LGBT Drama of the Year. Delaria got laughs from intimate mix of just over 50 guests when she said the prison depicted on Orange, a powerful, acid-humored tale of class and turf wars, is “like a big lesbian bar.”

Rising film star Val Lauren, who played tragic movie icon Sal Mineo in director James Franco’s experimental bioflick Sal and costarred in Franco’s equally daring film Interior. Leather Bar, joined on behalf of Franco, GALECA’s choice for Wilde Artist of the Year. Lauren shared behind-the-scenes details of the making of Sal, and said both he and his friend Franco were drawn to groundbreakers like Sal Mineo, who didn”t “believe in being constricted by labels.”

Shane Bitney Crone, a subject and a producer of the acclaimed gay-rights documentary Bridegroom, accepted that film’s Dorian Award for Documentary of the Year, partly on behalf of writer/director/producer Linda Bloodsworth-Thomason. Bridegroom, documenting the unassuming Crone’s devastating loss of his companion Tom Bridegroom – and his battle for the rights and respect given any widower – was previously introduced by former president Bill Clinton at the Tribeca film festival. Crone’s good friend Coleen McMahon, who wrote and sang the hit ballad “Beautiful Boy” featured in the documentary, was at his side.

GALECA’s Dorian Awards Winners Toast, themed “champagne-and-pomme-frites,” was held Sunday afternoon, March 9, for the second year in a row at The Pikey Caf” and Bar, a colorful British-accented boite in Hollywood. The informal event was hosted by showbiz presenter Blair Late, also a star of the Bravo reality hit Newlyweds: The First Year.

After the quick ceremony – which felt more like a TV talk show, with emcee Blair Late (of the Bravo reality hit Newlyweds: The First Year) chatting briefly with the winners on bar stools – the crowd was treated to a surprise. Sam Harris, showman and Star Search icon, read a cheeky except from Ham: Slices of a Life, his acclaimed, new memoir detailing his road from Oklahoma to kooky fame. Topic: what it was like to attend his friend Liza Minelli’s wedding to David Gest.

GALECA and Dorian Awards, founded in 2009, honor movies and TV programs, from “mainstream” to LGBT-themed, with categories ranging from Film of the Year to TV Performance of the Year to Campy Flick of the Year. The organization is comprised of over 90 established film and TV critics, as well as entertainment journalists and editors who cover those fields, for recognized media outlets accessible in the U.S.

Press Release: GKids Acquire Rights to “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”

GKIDS ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS FOR STUDIO GHIBLI’S “THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA”

FIRST FEATURE IN 14 YEARS FROM LEGENDARY STUDIO GHIBLI CO-FOUNDER AND “GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES” DIRECTOR, ISAO TAKAHATA FILM TO RECEIVE FALL 2014 RELEASE AND AWARDS SUBMISSIONS

New York, NY – March 12, 2014 – GKIDS, a distributor of award-winning animation for both adult and family audiences, announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Studio Ghibli for the North American rights to the upcoming animated feature THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA. Directed by Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata, the film is slated for a late 2014 theatrical release and Awards submissions.

The deal was negotiated by Eric Beckman from GKIDS and Geoffrey Wexler from Studio Ghibli, with GKIDS taking all theatrical, non-theatrical, home video and television rights in North America.

Eight years in the making, the film is the untold story of The Princess Kaguya, the heroine of the ancient Japanese folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.

An English-language version is being produced by Studio Ghibli and Geoffrey Wexler, with Frank Marshall of Kennedy/Marshall Executive Producing. This is the same team that handled English versions for the two previous Studio Ghibli films, The Wind Rises and From Up on Poppy Hill.

GKIDS and Studio Ghibli partnered on the 2013 release of the animated feature From Up on Poppy Hill and GKIDS handles North American theatrical distribution for the Studio Ghibli library of films, one of the world’s most coveted animation collections with titles including Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke and others. GKIDS also handles theatrical distribution for Isao Takahata’s Grave of the Fireflies, widely considered a masterpiece.

SYNOPSIS
Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo, a tiny girl grows into an exquisite young lady, raised by an old bamboo cutter and his wife. From the countryside to the grand capital city, even unseen she enthralls all who encounter her, including five noble suitors. Ultimately she must face her fate, punishment for her crime.

Based on the classic Japanese folktale, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA is the newest film from Studio Ghibli and the strikingly beautiful culmination of decades of contemplation by its director, Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata.

ABOUT STUDIO GHIBLI AND ISAO TAKAHATA
Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata and is one of the most successful and well-respected animation studios in the world. Cultivating a creative force of talented directors, animators, and storytellers under the revered brilliance of Miyazaki and Takahata, Studio Ghibli’s films have been praised for their originality, dazzling animation, and epic storytelling. The films have become a beloved part of Japanese popular culture, and have garnered worldwide acclaim from audiences and critics alike.

Born in 1935 in Mie Prefecture, Japan, Isao Takahata graduated from The University of Tokyo with a degree in French literature. In 1985 he co-founded Studio Ghibli with Hayao Miyazaki, where he has directed five animated feature films: Grave of the Fireflies (1988), named one of the greatest films of all time by film critic Roger Ebert, Only Yesterday (1991), Pom Poko (1994), My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999), and THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA, released November 2013 in Japan. He also directed the live action documentary The Story of Yanagawa Waterways (1987). Takahata served as producer for Hayao Miyazaki’s Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) and Castle in the Sky (1986). In 1998, Takahata received Japan’s Medal of Honor, The Purple Ribbon.

ABOUT GKIDS
GKIDS is a distributor of award-winning filmed entertainment specializing in feature animation for both adult and family audiences. The company has scored four Best Animated Feature Oscar nominations – the most for an independent distributor – with The Secret of Kells in 2010, A Cat in Paris and Chico & Rita in 2012, and Ernest & Celestine in 2014. Upcoming releases include Ignacio Ferreras’ Wrinkles, featuring Martin Sheen, Matthew Modine and George Coe and Ernest & Celestine, featuring Forrest Whitaker, Mackenzie Foy, Lauren Bacall, Paul Giamatti, William H. Macy, Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman, and Jeffrey Wright. GKIDS also handles North American theatrical distribution for the Studio Ghibli library of films, one of the world’s most coveted animation collections with titles Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke and others. GKIDS is longtime producer of the New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival, an Oscar-qualifying event and North America’s largest festival of film for children and teens. NYICFF jury members include Uma Thurman, Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Gus van Sant, Christine Vachon, Henry Selick and James Schamus.

Press Release: Musicians On Call Name New President

MUSICIANS ON CALL NAMES PETE GRIFFIN PRESIDENT

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Musicians On Call (MOC) is excited to reveal its new President, Pete Griffin. In his new role, Griffin will lead strategic development, increase fundraising to expand MOC programs to new communities, help strengthen and elevate the MOC brand and work to ensure the patients, partners, volunteers, musicians and supporters all have a first class experience.

MOC Founders Michael Solomon and Vivek J. Tiwary express, “We’re incredibly proud of all that Musicians On Call and its amazing staff has accomplished over the past 15 years and are thrilled that after an extensive search, we have found Pete to lead us into the organization’s next exciting era.”

“Pete brings an expertise and passion that will lead Musicians On Call as it continues to grow bringing the healing power of music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities,” adds Scott Welch, Chairperson of the MOC Board of Directors.

Griffin comes to MOC with extensive experience in fundraising, corporate partnerships, working with musicians and volunteers on creating a social impact, and building brands and programs. He spent nearly nine years of his career at MTV where after excelling in Advertising Sales and International Marketing, Griffin managed the Public Affairs team where he helped to create and run MTV’s social action campaigns. These efforts earned his team the 2008 Emmy Award for best Community Service Campaign in the country. His most recent position as Director of Strategic Partnerships for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America was preceded by his tenure as President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona. Griffin’s experience and proven track record of success in partnerships and fundraising will be invaluable to MOC as the organization looks to fuel the expansion of its programs into new cities nationwide.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be chosen by the Board of Directors to build on Musicians On Call’s strong foundation and lead the organization into the future,” shares Griffin. “The support for our program is strong nationwide, so our opportunity now is to continue to elevate our brand and strategically plan our growth so we can bring the healing power of our volunteers’ music to more patients across the country.”

MOC was founded in 1999 with the mission of bringing live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. To date, its volunteers have played for over 400,000 people nationwide. MOC continues its mission through room-to-room hospital performances by local musicians and national celebrities as well as the Music Pharmacy and Project Playback Programs. In addition to MOC’s national headquarters in New York City, organization branches include Nashville, Tenn.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Miami, Fla.; Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, Calif. www.MusiciansOnCall.org

Griffin will be traveling to all MOC branches over the coming weeks to meet with volunteers and supporters before returning to New York where he will officially assume the title on March 17.

About Vivek J. Tiwary
Vivek J. Tiwary is a New York Times bestselling author and an award-winning producer of Broadway shows, film, television, and graphic novels.

He is the producer and writer of “The Fifth Beatle,” a New York Times best-selling graphic novel based on the life of Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein. “The Fifth Beatle” has secured unprecedented access to Beatles’ music and a feature film is in development to shoot in 2014. “The Fifth Beatle” will be produced by Academy Award-winning producer Bruce Cohen (AMERICAN BEAUTY, MILK, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK.)

Vivek is attached to lead produce a Broadway adaptation of Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. The production will include the participation of Morissette, as well as that of Pulitzer and Tony award winner Tom Kitt.

In television, Vivek sold a sitcom pilot “Punk Rock Dad” to CBS, based on the bestselling memoir/parenting manual by Pennywise lead singer Jim Lindberg. He is developing a number of additional series including Amelia Rules! — a children’s film franchise and television series based on the series of tween graphic novels by New York Times best-selling author Jimmy Gownley.

On Broadway, Vivek’s productions have won a combined 25 Tony Awards from 44 Tony nominations—every single one of his shows have been decorated. They include “The Addams Family,” Green Day’s “American Idiot” (the groundbreaking adaptation of the superstar rock band’s multi-platinum album), Mel Brooks’ “The Producers” (the most Tony Awards ever) and “Young Frankenstein”, “A Raisin In The Sun” (starring Sean Combs), and “A Little Night Music” (starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury). Off-Broadway, Vivek produced a theatrical collaboration between electropop/performance artists Fischerspooner and avant-garde theatre collective The Wooster Group (founded by Willem Dafoe, Spalding Gray, and others) that launched the 2008 Sao Paulo Art Bienal.

Vivek also serves on the Board of Directors for Valiant Entertainment (www.valiantentertainment.com), a multi-platform company that boasts the third largest and most-loved universe of comic book characters and has been hailed by the New York Times as “Marvel 2.0”.

Prior to founding Tiwary Entertainment Group (www.tiwaryent.com) and online music education/empowerment company StarPolish, Vivek held a number of major label music-industry positions, including launching and heading the Alternative Marketing Department at Mercury/PolyGram Records, and managing Video Promotion for Mercury/PolyGram, where he worked closely with MTV and VH1. Vivek has worked with artists covering the entire musical spectrum including Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Kiss, LL Cool J, John Mellencamp, Allen Ginsberg, Oasis, Hanson, 311 and The Mighty Mighty BossTones to name but a few.

Among many charitable pursuits, Vivek is the Co-Founder of Musicians On Call (www.musiciansoncall.org), a nonprofit organization that uses music and entertainment to complement the healing process.

Vivek is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of both the Wharton School of Business and the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences. He also holds a filmmaking certificate from The New York Film Academy and is an acting student of Susan Batson/Black Nexxus Acting Studio.

Vivek is represented by Lawrence Mattis and David Alpert of Circle of Confusion 310-253-7777.

Press Release: New York International Children’s Film Festival Presents Full Day of Muppets Screenings and Events

NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS FULL DAY OF MUPPETS SCREENINGS AND EVENTS

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MUPPETS LIVE SING-ALONG EVENT WITH OSCAR®-WINNER BRET MCKENZIE & MUPPETS PAL WALTER SPECIAL PREVIEW SCREENING OF DISNEY’S MUPPETS MOST WANTED

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SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2014, AT DGA THEATER

March 13, 2014 – New York, NY – New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival presents a day of special Muppets screenings and events on Saturday, March 15 at the DGA Theater in Manhattan (110 West 57th Street). Muppets fans of all ages can join Oscar®-winning composer and producer Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords) and Muppets pal Walter for two interactive sing-a-long screenings of Disney’s 2011 hit THE MUPPETS at 11:30am and 2:30pm. McKenzie and Walter will lead the audience in participatory activities and songs including McKenzie’s Life’s a Happy Song, Pictures in My Head and the Oscar®-winning Man or Muppet.

Fans can also take in a special preview screening of Disney’s MUPPETS MOST WANTED at 6:00pm at the DGA Theater. Disney’s MUPPETS MOST WANTED takes the beloved Muppet gang across the globe as they embark on an international tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe’s most exciting destinations including Berlin, Madrid, Dublin, and London. The film will be released in theaters nationwide on March 21, 2014.

Tickets for all Festival events are available at www.gkids.com.

ABOUT NYICFF:
Established in 1997, NYICFF is an Oscar®-qualifying event and North America’s largest film festival for children and teens ages 3-18. The most recent edition attracted a sold-out-in-advance audience of 30,000. NYICFF 2014 takes place March 7-30, with 100+ films from around the world, plus gala premieres, retrospectives, filmmaker Q&As, filmmaking workshops, audience voting, and the NYICFF Awards Ceremony. Festival sponsors include Whole Foods, Meredith Parents Network, and Scholastic, with funding support by National Endowment for the Arts, NY State Council on the Arts, and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. In addition to the annual March festival, NYICFF presents year-round film programming both in New York and nationally, including annual children’s film festivals in Boston, Los Angeles, Miami and Philadelphia.

ABOUT THE MOVIE:
Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted” takes the entire Muppets gang on a global tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe’s most exciting destinations, including Berlin, Madrid, Dublin and London. But mayhem follows the Muppets overseas, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper headed by Constantine—the World’s Number One Criminal and a dead ringer for Kermit the Frog—and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two, portrayed by Ricky Gervais. The film stars Ty Burrell as Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon and Tina Fey as Nadya, a feisty prison guard. Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted” is directed by James Bobin and produced by David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. Bobin wrote the screenplay with Nicholas Stoller, who is also executive producer with John G. Scotti. Featuring music from Academy Award®-winning songwriter Bret McKenzie, “Muppets Most Wanted” hits the big screen March 21, 2014. For more information, visit Disney.com/Muppets, like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/Muppets, and follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/TheMuppets.