MALIBU, Calif., July 1, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following a historic win at the Edinburgh Film Festival, the acclaimed Irish animated feature, "The Secret of Kells," has been acquired by Empire Film Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets:EFGU) (http://www.empirefilmgroup.com) for theatrical, video and television release into the USA market. The coveted Standard Life Audience Award was presented to producer Paul Young on Sunday by Sir Sean Connery at the awards ceremony in Edinburgh, Scotland, and marks the first time in the prestigious festival's 61-year history that an animated feature has won the top audience award.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6338
"The film is definitely an audience favorite," said Eric Parkinson, CEO of Distribution for Empire Film Group. "The animation is nothing short of remarkable, and the story is thoroughly enchanting. We believe that USA audiences will respond to the film with the high level of enthusiasm it has generated at Edinburgh, Berlin and other festivals. This is a major acquisition for Empire Film Group, and we are honored to represent this impressive film."
"The Secret of Kells" will be launched into the USA theatrical market by Empire this fall, after selected festival sneak previews. The film will be featured at a special screening, July 18, at the IFC Film Center in New York City sponsored by the New York International Children's Film Festival. Additional sneaks and premieres are planned for Los Angeles, Dallas and the Chicago International Children's Film Festival prior to Empire's key market theatrical release in October and November. The film is currently in release in theatres in Ireland through Disney's Buena Vista International.
Inspired by the Irish legends surrounding the creation of the historic Celtic, "Book of Kells," director Tomm Moore, co-director Nora Twomey, producer Paul Young and a team of animators at Kilkenny, Ireland's Cartoon Saloon, created a completely unique look for the film's animation style. The backgrounds are incredibly ornate and intricate with detail, while the color palette for the film complements the hues utilized by the original monks that hand-crafted the legendary book. "The Secret of Kells" tells the story of a 12-year-old boy, Brendan, whose quest takes him through an enchanted forest where he learns that enlightenment is the best defense for his people against an impending Viking attack.
"The Secret of Kells" runs 75 minutes, and has an anticipated MPAA rating of PG. Additional information on the film, including press materials, photos and a trailer can be viewed at the official website, www.TheSecretOfKells.com
The acquisition agreement for USA rights was negotiated between Empire's Eric Parkinson and international sales agency representative Alessandro Raja of Paris-based Celluloid Dreams.
Empire Film Group, Inc. is a fully-integrated entertainment company, with in-house distribution capabilities to theaters, home video and television markets. The senior executives of Empire are seasoned and proven entertainment industry professionals, with expertise in production, theatrical distribution, video distribution and finance. Other recent acquisitions for Empire Film Group include "The Countess" starring Julie Delpy and William Hurt, and the $20-million budgeted animated feature, "Thru The Moebius Strip." Current theatrical releases for Empire include "War Eagle, Arkansas" and the Abel Ferrara film, "Chelsea on the Rocks." Empire also owns and operates Hannover House, a well-established book publisher and entertainment distributor founded in 1993.
Learn more about Empire Film Group at www.empirefilmgroup.com
