LIONSGATE FORMS OUTPUT DEAL WITH BUENA VISTA INTERNATIONAL FOR DISTRIBUTION OF LIONSGATE FILMS IN RUSSIA

SANTA MONICA, Calif., and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 30, 2015 /CNW/ -- Reflecting its continued growth in a major international territory, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a premier next generation global content leader, has forged an output deal with one of the world's leading international theatrical distributors, Buena Vista International (BVI), for distribution of Lionsgate titles in Russia and the rest of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the two companies announced today.

The agreement will kick off with Lionsgate's critically-acclaimed revenge thriller Sicario this fall and will also encompass such eagerly-anticipated Lionsgate titles as: Francis Lawrence's adventure fantasy, The Odyssey; the first live action Saban's Power Rangers film; and the film adaptation of the world-renowned Hasbro property Monopoly.

"We're thrilled to expand our relationship with Buena Vista International through this output agreement in a major territory with enormous upside," said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman and Lionsgate International COO Andrew Kramer. "We're pleased to continue building our BVI relationship with a powerful, commercially exciting slate loaded with blockbuster tentpoles, potential franchises and star-driven event films."

"BVI's stature, experience and tremendous track record coupled with Lionsgate's diverse film portfolio promise significant upside for both companies," said Lionsgate Executive Vice President of International Sales Crystal Bourbeau. "This new output agreement reflects our commitment to Russia and our continued emergence as a creative force in the global marketplace."

Lionsgate previously teamed with BVI on Summit Entertainment label films including the Japanese release of the action thriller Red, the release of the Step Up franchise in Japan and the Spanish and Japanese releases of Source Code and Tree of Life. Most recently, both companies announced that they will be launching the fourth installment of the global blockbuster The Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, on November 19^th in Russia and CIS.

The deal with BVI adds to Lionsgate's network of output agreements with leading media companies such as StudioCanal in Germany, Nordisk in Scandinavia, Metropolitan Filmexport in France, Leone Film Group in Italy, Belga Films in Benelux, eOne in Spain and Canada, and Roadshow Films in Australia as well as a joint venture distribution partnership with IDC in Latin America.

The agreement was negotiated for Lionsgate by Ms. Bourbeau.

Lionsgate's Summit Entertainment label will continue its theatrical output deal with Central Partnership for the Summit theatrical slate in Russia and the CIS.

ABOUT LIONSGATE

Lionsgate is a premier next generation global content leader with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms, video games and international distribution and sales. Lionsgate currently has more than 30 television shows on over 20 different networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including the critically-acclaimed hit series Orange is the New Black, the multiple Emmy Award-winning drama Mad Men, the hit broadcast network series Nashville, the syndication success The Wendy Williams Show, the acclaimed drama Manhattan and the breakout series The Royals.

Its feature film business has been fueled by such successes as the blockbuster first three installments of The Hunger Games franchise, the first two installments of the Divergent franchise, The Age of Adaline, CBS/Lionsgate's The DUFF, John Wick, Now You See Me, Roadside Attractions' Love & Mercy and Mr. Holmes, Lionsgate/Codeblack Films' Addicted and Pantelion Films' Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.

Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rates. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 16,000 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 and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com

For further information, please contact:
Peter Wilkes
310-255-3726
[email protected]

or

Cristina Castaneda
310-255-5114
[email protected]

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SOURCE Lionsgate