Lionsgate Delegation Pledges Financial Commitment to New Orleans Film Industry; Executives Tour Katrina Devastation

NEW ORLEANS and LOS ANGELES, March 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today executives with Lionsgate Toronto, the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, and L.I.F.T. Productions announced alongside the Governor's Office of Film and Television, Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, and members of the Louisiana film community their joint commitment to the future of Louisiana's film workforce. "Despite Katrina, the film industry is still the most successful economic development initiative in Louisiana's history, and with the continued support of major studios like Lionsgate, the industry will continue to provide thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in wages for Louisianians," said Alex Schott, Director of the Governor's Office of Film and Television.

Lionsgate, winner of three 2006 Academy Awards (R), including Best Picture for Crash, and local film production company L.I.F.T. Productions, presented a check for $100,0000 to the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation, an initiative formed by Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu to support the development of Louisiana's cultural industries. The Lionsgate delegation from Los Angeles included Michael Paseornek, President of Lionsgate Productions, Wayne Levin, Executive Vice President of Operations, and Mark Manuel, Senior Vice President of Television and Finance.

"The overarching goal of the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation grant program is to enable stakeholders in Louisiana's cultural economy to continue or resume the production and distribution of our unique cultural assets in the aftermath of recent natural disasters by providing direct and immediate financial assistance," said Lt. Governor Landrieu. "Lionsgate's contribution toward the establishment of a workforce development program embodies the mission of the Foundation and underscores their commitment to providing opportunities for Louisiana citizens that will help them establish meaningful careers, rebuild their lives and rebuild their communities."

Lt. Governor Landrieu also said, "Lionsgate's investment in Louisiana's rebuilding efforts and her people demonstrates the Company's willingness to be long-time partners and play an important role in further strengthening the Cultural Economy in Louisiana. I hope other film companies that believe in Louisiana's potential to rebuild will also become partners in our workforce development efforts by contributing to the Cultural Economy Foundation."

"Lionsgate believes that Louisiana continues to be a key production hub in the U.S. market. This pledge is just one of many Lionsgate expects to make in the near future to reaffirm our commitment to the Louisiana film industry through the creation of jobs, and by bringing more projects here," said Lionsgate President Michael Paseornek. L.I.F.T. Productions, a local production and finance company that has partnered with Lionsgate on a number of feature films and television movies, also has several major projects in the works with the Company. "Lionsgate has proven to be a reliable partner, generating jobs in the area before Katrina, saving those jobs in the immediate aftermath, and now, more than six months later, making a commitment to long- term development of the New Orleans and Louisiana film industry," said L.I.F.T. CEO Malcolm Petal.

Music for the event was provided by The Treme Brass Band, one of New Orleans' legendary brass and second line jazz bands. The Treme Brass Band is an example of the rich and authentic culture New Orleans offers the nation and the world. Their music and their contributions to New Orleans' musical legacy help New Orleans retain her claim as the music and cultural capitol of the world. The backdrop for the event was the Contemporary Arts Center, a cultural institution in New Orleans since 1976 offering music, visual arts, theater, dance, and education for children and adults. The CAC has housed the City of New Orleans film training center, and is continuing to serve as a training facility for those pursuing the arts, film, and new media.

For more information, contact: LIONSGATE Peter D. Wilkes 310-255-3726 pwilkes@lionsgate.com http://www.lionsgate.com/ L.I.F.T. Productions 504.565.5438 http://www.lift-la.com/ Office of Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu Judy Morse 225.342.3341 jmorse@crt.state.la.us

Lionsgate, winner of three 2006 Academy Awards(R), including Best Picture for Crash, is the leading independent filmed entertainment studio. Lionsgate is a premier producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library is a valuable source of recurring revenue and a foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the globe.

L.I.F.T. Productions is a full service film and television production studio with offices based out of New Orleans, Harahan, and Shreveport, Louisiana. L.I.F.T. has produced more than 30 features and long-form television programs since its inception in 2002. In January of 2006, L.I.F.T. garnered 3 Golden Globe nominations and one win. L.I.F.T. was tapped with 12 Emmy nominations in September of 2005, including Best Producer nominations for CEO Malcolm Petal and COO Kimberly Anderson.

The Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation was founded as a catalyst for growth within the state's burgeoning cultural economy. Its primary mission is to sustain and support the development and enhancement of the unique cultural industries of Louisiana.