MAD HOT BALLROOM Takes Center Stage as the Highest Grossing Documentary of the Year Starring Humans

MAD HOT BALLROOM Takes Center Stage as the Highest Grossing Documentary of the Year Starring Humans

Audience Pleaser and Critic Fave Takes in Over $8 Million in Sixth Month of Release

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- MAD HOT BALLROOM, filmmaker Marilyn Agrelo and writer/producer Amy Sewell's popular non-fiction film that had audiences and critics alike literally dancing in the theatre aisles, has eclipsed the $8 million mark in domestic box office receipts this past weekend.

Recently nominated by the International Documentary Association (IDA) for Best Feature Documentary, MAD HOT BALLROOM, which chronicles a ballroom dance competition for New York City public school fifth and sixth graders, is now remarkably in its sixth month of limited (under 200 screens) release. Distributed by Paramount Classics, the film ranks number 7 in the "top ten all time documentary film box office list" just below "Super Size Me" according to Boxofficemojo.com. The film has played in over a dozen international film festivals winning audience awards for Best Film in over half of them including the Chicago International Documentary Film Festival and the Philadelphia International Film Festival.

Lauded by teachers, parents and students alike for its genuine celebration of education, arts and teamwork, schools from all over the nation have become inspired by the film. More than 25 public schools have added the ballroom dance curriculum to their current education program, and over 150 schools have contacted American Ballroom Theatre about establishing a program in their perspective locales. In addition, MAD HOT BALLROOM is often cited as a major catalyst this year in giving ballroom dance a jumpstart in the United States with a hit summer TV show based on the subject and dance schools reporting overflowing enrollment.

MAD HOT BALLROOM has shown signs of becoming a pop culture phenomenon, as well. Numerous appearances by the cast and references from the film have popped up in hit summer and fall television series including the daytime soap "All My Children" and the primetime family drama "Gilmore Girls." Catchword phrases have even appeared in crossword puzzles in national publications such as People Magazine.

"Just as we were taken by its humor and its genuineness the first time we saw the film, it is clear that audiences feel the same way," says David Dinerstein, Co-President of Paramount Classics. "No pun intended, but we're pleased that filmgoers have flocked to see MAD HOT BALLROOM. The fact that it is still in theaters and people still remain gratified by the experience is a testament that the film has really taken flight."

Paramount Classics picked up MAD HOT BALLROOM at this year's 2005 Slamdance Film Festival and released it in theatres on May 13, 2005. The film is still playing in select theatres across the nation, and the DVD will hit stores October 18, 2005.

Source: MAD HOT BALLROOM

CONTACT: Winston F. Emano, wemano@tcdm-associates.com, or David Magdael, dmagdael@tcdm-associates.com, both of David Magdael and Associates, +1-213-624-7827, for MAD HOT BALLROOM

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