Honda's Project Drive-In Increases Support of Threatened Theaters: Delivery of Digital Projectors Raised to Nine

Honda's Project Drive-In Increases Support of Threatened Theaters: Delivery of Digital Projectors Raised to Nine

-Project Drive-In already has saved five drive-ins as the end of 35mm film distribution puts many in jeopardy of closure

-Public encouraged to vote at www.projectdrivein.com to determine which four additional theaters will receive digital projectors to remain open

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on the overwhelming response from fans and communities across the country for Project Drive-In, Honda is adding four more digital projectors to its national effort to save drive-ins facing closure due to the end of 35mm film distribution. This brings to nine the total number of drive-in theaters aided by the program. Voters can continue to visit www.projectdrivein.com to help determine which of the remaining 116 participating drive-ins, will be awarded one of the four additional digital projectors.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130916/LA80096LOGO)

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The four additional winning theaters will be announced on Sept. 23. Christie Digital Systems USA, the largest manufacturer of DLP Cinema® projectors, supplied of the all projectors for Project Drive-In and contributed two of the four additional projectors for this renewed effort at no added cost to Honda's program.

Thanks to the more than two million votes already received at projectdrivein.com five drive-in theaters (in alphabetical order)--99W Drive-In (Newberg, Ore.), Cherry Bowl Drive-In (Honor, Mich.), Graham Drive-In (Graham, Texas), McHenry Outdoor Theater (McHenry, Ill.) and Saco Drive-In (Saco, Maine)--will receive a digital projector donated by the automaker.

As 35mm film distribution comes to a close at the end of this year, hundreds of additional drive-in theaters risk potential closure because of the costly switch to digital projection, estimated at $75,000+ per screen. Project Drive-In launched on Aug. 9 by Honda to raise community awareness of the plight of drive-ins, awards digital projectors to drive-ins and to provide simple ways for people to get involved in an effort to ensure that this historic part of American cinema and car culture continues to lives on.

Visitors to the Project Drive-In website are encouraged to share information about the program with family and friends via social media, email or texts, pledge to see one movie at their local drive-in. Those who strive to show their support can visit www.projectdrivein.com to contribute to the national save-the-drive-in fund to help keep more drive-ins in business.

All winning theaters will host a celebration that includes a special screening of Sony Pictures Animation's Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, in theaters everywhere on Sept. 27.

"The emotional reactions we received from the first five winning drive-ins helped us realize the real world impact Project Drive-In is having on these small businesses and their surrounding communities," said Alicia Jones, Manager of Honda & Acura Social Marketing at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "With such widespread participation by communities across the nation, we are honored to increase our support of even more drive-in theaters and continue to rally the public to help keep the spirit and experience of drive-ins alive and well for years to come."

About Honda
Honda offers a complete lineup of cars and trucks through a network of more than 1,000 dealerships in the United States. In 2013, Honda marks 40 years of the Civic model, with more than 30 years of producing automobiles in the region, which began with the Accord in Marysville, Ohio, in November 1982. Having produced more than 25 million vehicles in North America through 2012 using domestic and globally sourced parts, Honda currently operates 14 major manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, power equipment products, engines and transmissions.

About Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 picks up where Sony Pictures Animation's mouth-watering comedy left off. Inventor Flint Lockwood thought he saved the world when he destroyed his most infamous invention -- a machine that turned water into food causing cheeseburger rain and spaghetti tornadoes. But Flint soon learns that his invention survived and is now creating food-animals - "foodimals!" Flint and his friends embark on a dangerously delicious mission to battle hungry tacodiles, shrimpanzees, hippotatomuses, cheespiders and other foodimals to save the world - again! Directed by Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn. Screenplay by Erica Rivinoja and John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein. Story by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller and Erica Rivinoja. Inspired by the book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett. Produced by Pam Marsden and Kirk Bodyfelt.

About Christie®
Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. is a global visual technologies company and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ushio Inc., Japan, (JP:6925). Consistently setting the standards by being the first to market some of the world's most advanced projectors and complete system displays, Christie is recognized as one of the most innovative visual technology companies in the world. From retail displays to Hollywood, mission critical command centers to classrooms and training simulators, Christie display solutions and projectors capture the attention of audiences around the world with dynamic and stunning images. Visit www.christiedigital.com.

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

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Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100923/HONDALOGO
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American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

CONTACT: Chris Martin, Torrance, +1-310-783-3164

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


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