Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is Chosen for The Royal Film Performance(tm) 2008

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is Chosen for The Royal Film Performance(tm) 2008

LONDON, July 29/PRNewswire/ -- The Cinema & Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF), the charity which brings you The Royal Film Performance(tm), is delighted to announce Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince as The Royal Film Performance(tm) 2008.

The Royal and European premiere screening of the sixth installment of the Warner Bros. Pictures Harry Potter film franchise based on the beloved novels by J.K. Rowling, will take place on Monday 17th November 2008 in the presence of member(s) of the Royal Family (details tbc).

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is directed by David Yates and produced by David Heyman, the producer of all of the Harry Potter films, together with David Barron. Screenwriter Steve Kloves, who scripted the first four installments of the film franchise, is adapting the screenplay based on the book by J.K. Rowling. Once again heading the cast, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are reprising their roles as young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, who are facing new challenges and dangers in the wake of Lord Voldemort's return. They will be reunited with returning Harry Potter cast members, including Helena Bonham Carter, David Bradley, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Natalia Tena, Julie Walters and David Thewlis, as well as Evanna Lynch, Matthew Lewis and Bonnie Wright.

Two award-winning actors are joining the film's all-star cast in their first Harry Potter film: Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent as Potions Professor Horace Slughorn, and award-winning actress Helen McCrory as Narcissa Malfoy, mother to Draco Malfoy and sister to the evil Bellatrix Lestrange. Additionally, several young newcomers will be making their feature film debuts in the film: Jessie Cave as Lavender Brown; nine-year-old Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Tom Riddle at age 11; and 16-year-old Frank Dillane as the teenage Riddle, who is already on the path to becoming the evil Lord Voldemort.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Heyday Films production, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be released on November 21, 2008, by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

David Murrell, President of The CTBF said:

"We are delighted to have Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince premiering at our most prestigious fundraising event, The Royal Film Performance(tm). The Harry Potter series is a perfect example of great British filmmaking and we are grateful to Warner Bros. for its support. With its help we are going to make this event a spectacular fundraiser for the CTBF and continue our lifeline of support for people behind the scenes in the world of film, television and cinema."

Josh Berger, President and MD of Warner Bros, UK, said:

"We are honoured that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, one of the most anticipated films of the year, has been chosen as the 61st Royal Film Performance. Directed, filmed and produced in the UK with a hugely talented, and largely British cast and crew, it is particularly fitting that this Warner Bros. film will help raise funds to support those from the British film and television community most in need."

David Heyman added:

"I am delighted that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has been chosen for this year's Royal Film Performance. We have always endeavoured to remain true to Jo Rowling's vision in recreating the magic of her world and we have been overwhelmed with the continual support of audiences. And thus, we are thrilled that our film is being honoured in this way and will help to raise money for such good causes."

For the first time in the history of the Harry Potter films, premiere tickets will be available to purchase. Please contact The CTBF fundraising department Tel: +44(0)20-7439-2966 or email: events@ctbf.co.uk.

All money raised from the event will go directly to the CTBF, which supports industry employees and their families who have fallen on hard times.

Notes to Editors

The Cinema & Television Benevolent Fund is the trade charity for the UK film and TV industries. The Royal Film Performance(tm) is the charity's biggest annual fundraising event. The Royal Film Performance(tm) began in 1946 and has included films such as: A Matter of Life and Death (1946), Romeo and Juliet (1968), Kramer Vs Kramer (1980), Chaplin (1997), Casino Royale (2006). http://www.ctbf.co.uk

Source: Warner Bros UK and The Cinema & Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF)

For further information contact: Sophie Pacellini, The Cinema & Television Benevolent Fund, Tel: +44(0)20-7437-6567 or Email: sophie@ctbf.co.uk; Warner Bros. UK Publicity contact details:, Jayne Trotman / Louisa Radcliffe / Stuart Gurr, Director of Publicity, Tel: +44(0)207-984-5000, Jayne.trotman@warnerbros.com / Louisa.Radcliffe@warnerbros.com / Stuart.Gurr@warnerbros.com

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Profile: International Entertainment