Lionsgate Inks Deal for Big Screen Version of FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF

Lionsgate Inks Deal for Big Screen Version of FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF

Studio Acquires Worldwide Rights To Writer/Director Nzingha Stewart's Adaptation of Landmark Play By Ntozake Shange

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LIONSGATE(R) (NYSE:LGF) , a leading next generation filmed entertainment studio, announced today that it has acquired worldwide distribution rights for a planned screen version of the award-winning play FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF. The studio acquired rights to both the 1975 stage play by Ntozake Shange, and the adapted screenplay written by Nzingha Stewart, who will direct the film. The announcement was made by Joe Drake, Lionsgate President, Motion Picture Group, and Co-Chief Operating Officer.

The acquisition reflects Lionsgate's leadership role in producing and distributing a diverse roster of motion pictures about black characters. The film joins an upcoming release slate that includes the Sundance Film Festival triple award winner PRECIOUS; the documentary MORE THAN A GAME; and the next two films in the Tyler Perry franchise, TYLER PERRY'S I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF and TYLER PERRY'S WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO?

Said Lionsgate President of Motion Picture Production Mike Paseornek, "FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF was a milestone in modern American theatre, and it speaks as powerfully today as it did when it was first performed in New York in 1975. Nzingha Stewart has written a masterful adaptation of Ntozake Shange's original play, and Lionsgate is very excited about introducing this remarkable work to a new generation via the big screen."

Commented Stewart, "I am delighted by Lionsgate's enthusiastic support for my film of FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF. It is wonderful to know that I am embarking on this journey with this dynamic, innovative studio behind me."

The deal was negotiated by Robert Melnik, Lionsgate Executive Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, on behalf of Lionsgate; Lisa Davis of Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein & Selz PC, on behalf of Shange; and by Ryan Nord- Hirsch, Wallerstein, Hayum, Matloff and Fishman LLP and Charles King of The William Morris Agency, on behalf of Stewart. Stewart is represented by Neda Niroumand and Vince Cirrincione of Vincent Cirrincione Associates.

SYNOPSIS

FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF brings to the screen Ntozake Shange's Obie Award-winning play, a poetic exploration of what is to be of color and a female in this world.

ABOUT LIONSGATE

Lionsgate is a leading next generation studio with a major presence in the production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, video-on-demand and digitally delivered content. The Company is leveraging its content leadership and marketing expertise through the recent acquisition of TV Guide Network, one of the 25 most widely distributed cable networks, and partnerships that include the FEARnet branded VOD and Internet horror channel with Sony and Comcast, the expected fall 2009 launch of EPIX, a new premium entertainment channel with partners Viacom and MGM, investment in the leading young men's digital distribution platform Break.com, the recent acquisition of the content and navigation portal TV Guide.com, ownership of the premier independent television syndication company Debmar-Mercury and an alliance with independent filmed entertainment production and distribution company Roadside Attractions.

The Company is an industry market share leader at the North American theatrical box office for calendar 2009 to date, propelled by such theatrical box office successes as TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL and MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D. Other recent successes include SAW V, RELIGULOUS, FORBIDDEN KINGDOM, RAMBO and THE BANK JOB. Lionsgate has also forged strong positions in television and home entertainment with the production of such critically-acclaimed television series as "Mad Men," "Weeds" and "Crash," the distribution of Tyler Perry's "House of Payne," "Family Feud" and "South Park" and upcoming shows including Tyler Perry's "Meet The Browns" and "The Wendy Williams Show," as well as market share of nearly 7% and the industry's leading box office-to-DVD conversion rate in home entertainment. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 12,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

   www.lionsgate.com    For further information, contact:    Sarah Greenberg   310-255-3856   sgreenberg@lionsgate.com    For corporate inquiries, please contact:    Peter D. Wilkes   310-255-3726   pwilkes@lionsgate.com  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: cfish@lionsgate.com

Source: Lionsgate

CONTACT: Sarah Greenberg, +1-310-255-3856, sgreenberg@lionsgate.com, or
corporate inquiries, Peter D. Wilkes, +1-310-255-3726, pwilkes@lionsgate.com,
both of Lionsgate

Web Site: http://www.lionsgate.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment