LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sir Richard Branson’s™ Virgin Group announced today the launch of Virgin Produced, a film and television development, packaging and production company, which has also entered into a joint venture with Relativity Media’s™ Rogue Pictures to develop, produce and market films together.

The Los Angeles-based Virgin Produced is led by former J2TV / J2 Pictures producers Jason Felts and Justin Berfield. Felts serves as Chief Executive Officer overseeing the company’s entire operation, and Berfield, Chief Creative Officer, will oversee the development team.

For 40 years, Virgin has pushed the envelope, Felts said. At Virgin Produced, we look to break some old molds while providing talent a place where they know their work will be embraced and supported. With Rogue’s™ boundary breaking approach and Virgin’s ™ entrepreneurial strength, the brands are perfectly suited for each other. We’ve got a great opportunity to provide a collaborative experience and produce amazing results.

Virgin has always been about doing it your way, expressing oneself through innovation, said Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh. It dares to be different. We believe that their approach to film is suited to do just that, and pairing the Virgin and Rogue brands together to create innovation couldn’t be more natural.

Deemed one of the most exciting brands in the world, with a culture of innovation and fun across its diverse range of businesses, Virgin’s™ mission is clear: to enter markets with opportunities to shake things up and offer a better experience.

Entertainment has long been a focus of the Virgin brand, and I’m excited for the chance to further grow in this space, said Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson.

CHATSWORTH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Image Entertainment, Inc. (OTC: DISK.PK) announced today an output agreement to exclusively distribute all theatrical New Films International/New Films Cinema titles in the U.S. and Canada. The deal covers all DVD, digital, television, Pay-Per-View and VOD rights to all New Films current and future titles. The announcement was made jointly today by Nesim Hason, President of New Films International and Bill Bromiley, Chief Acquisitions Officer of Image Entertainment.

The output deal includes Chain Letter, starring Nikki Reed (the Twilight franchise) and Betsy Russell (Saw III, Saw IV). New Films Cinema will release Chain Letter in the U.S. theatrically this October with multi-million dollar p&a backing on over 400 screens. Their previous theatrical release, The Lightkeepers starring Academy Award® winner Richard Dreyfuss and Golden Globe® nominee Blythe Danner, opened in Los Angeles on May 7^th, and played in fifteen U.S. markets.

“We are looking forward to working on these exciting films with New Films International,” commented Bromiley. “Their strong support of their theatrical titles creates a perfect synergy with our efforts in the home entertainment, VOD, and digital television arena.”

“We are excited to have a partner like Image Entertainment to help us continue to successfully move forward in the domestic theatrical market place. Image’s capability and reputation is unmatched and we are thrilled to be in business with them,” remarked Hason.

“We’ve long admired what Image has been able to accomplish in today’s competitive market place and we are looking forward to a long, prosperous partnership,” said Izak Saul, General Manager.

A terrifying horror film that will leave audiences wondering if modern technology is really as safe as we think it is, Chain Letter was directed by Deon Taylor and written by Taylor and Michael J. Pagan. When high school senior Jessie Campbell (Reed) and her tight-knit group of friends begins to receive a series of foreboding email chain letters, they have no idea the terror that awaits them. With a warning that if they break the chain, they will lose a life, the seemingly harmless email turns deadly when one-by-one the friends that do not forward the chain letter are hunted down and gruesomely killed by horror’s newest villain: the Chain Man. In addition to Reed (Twilight, New Moon, Thirteen), the film stars Michael J. Pagan (How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Nite Tales:The Movie), Noah Segan (Deadgirl), Matt Cohen (Boogeyman 2), Cody Kasch (“Desperate Housewives”), Betsy Russell (Saw III, Saw IV), Cherilyn Wilson (“90210”), Brad Dourif (Alien, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), Keith David (Crash, Barbershop), with Michael Bailey Smith (The Hills Have Eyes) as the killer.

The deal was negotiated by Michael Bayer and J. Beck for Image Entertainment; Nesim Hason, President of New Films International negotiated for New Films.

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) today unveiled Best Buy Movie Mode, an exclusive first-of-its-kind mobile application designed to transform the way moviegoers engage and interact with the films they enjoy. Available as a free download, Best Buy Movie Mode comes to life via “The Minionator,” created as part of an exclusive collaboration with Universal Pictures and tied to the July 9 release of its must-see RealD 3-D CGI feature “Despicable Me” produced by Chris Meledandri.“The Minionator” is Movie Mode’s first film enhancing experience and offers fans a deeper connection to “Despicable Me” by translating for audiences what the film’s mischievous little yellow characters, the Minions, are saying. The app acts as a translator during the 3-D theatrical end credits for the special language of the Minions. The app will also translate the Minion language throughout the entire movie on Best Buy’s exclusive “Despicable Me” DVD released later this year.

Best Buy Movie Mode uses new patent-pending technology to provide enhanced content to movie lovers during both the theatrical and DVD viewing experience. Additionally, it serves as a locator for both theaters showing “Despicable Me” in 3-D and Best Buy stores while also providing an interactive interface to unlock exclusive free digital content, courtesy of Best Buy. A phone in Best Buy Movie Mode automatically dims the mobile screen, silences the ringer and discourages texting to ensure audiences have a positive movie-going experience. Beyond The Minionator, Movie Mode will offer users new movie enhancing experiences and exclusive content for future theatrical and DVD releases.

“Best Buy Movie Mode changes the way audiences connect with great entertainment, both inside a theater and at home,” said Chris Homeister, senior vice president and general manager of the home entertainment group at Best Buy. “The innovative technology, unique to Best Buy, provides us with an opportunity to evolve with customers into the growing digitally connected world. We are thrilled our first partnership is with Universal and ‘Despicable Me’ producer Chris Meledandri. The collaboration throughout this process has been a delight.”

“Throughout the planning for this film, we have been impressed with Best Buy’s vision and its desire to create an innovative experience for moviegoers,” said Stephanie Sperber, president Universal Partnerships & Licensing. “We can’t wait for fans to finally experience ‘The Minionator.’”

Added James Meredith, vice president of marketing for Cinemark Theatres, “Movie theaters and cell phones have never been friends—until now. Because Best Buy Movie Mode disables the ringer, discourages texting and dims the phone screen, all moviegoers can now enjoy a delightful theater experience free from cell phone distractions. Joining forces with Universal to bring ‘The Minionator’ to life, Best Buy is giving movie lovers a truly compelling reason to experience ‘Despicable Me’ in RealD 3-D on the big screen.”

Leading up to the film’s debut, Best Buy’s Reward Zone Silver members will have an opportunity to attend one of several exclusive pre-screenings of “Despicable Me” in 20 markets across the country. RZS members can also visit www.myrewardzone.com to enter for a chance to win tickets to the film’s world premiere in Los Angeles on June 27.

Best Buy Movie Mode is expected to be available on most mobile platforms this week including iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows Mobile. To learn more and to download The Minionator app, visit www.BestBuyMovieMode.com or text MINION to 332211.

Screenvision, the leading innovator in cinema advertising, has partnered with Hannover House, the entertainment distribution division of Target Development Group, to support the May 21^st theatrical release of Racing Dreams. Racing Dreams is an award-winning documentary that offers a poignant look into the lives of two boys and a girl who dream of one day racing in NASCAR®.

Through the deal, Screenvision will help Hannover House expand the film’s distribution by making it available to its exhibitor partners through the Screenvision digital in-theater network. Additionally, Screenvision will offer marketing support for the film through its pre-show programming and other in-theatre assets. Racing Dreams marks the second time that Screenvision has been involved in a film’s theatrical release and the initiative serves as a further extension of the partnership between Screenvision and NASCAR®.

For the May 21^st release, Screenvision will digitally distribute the film to theaters owned by Rave Motion Pictures and Malco Theatres in Tennessee, Arkansas, Michigan, Texas, Alabama and Florida. Wider distribution is planned subsequently.

“Screenvision is committed to expanding the alternative programming offerings we bring to exhibitor partners and theatergoers alike,” said Darryl Schaffer, Executive Vice President, Exhibitor Relations for Screenvision. “We are excited to partner with Hannover House to release Racing Dreams and believe our extensive digital network will allow the film to be delivered to more theatre locations in a cost-effective way.”

Racing Dreams is the award-winning coming-of-age story about three kids who aspire to one day race in NASCAR®. Academy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker Marshall Curry takes us into the lives of Annabeth, Josh, and Brandon as they compete for the championship in the World Karting Association’s National Series – widely considered the Little League for professional racing. Clocking speeds of up to 70 mph, these young drivers race their way through the year-long National Series that spawned many of NASCAR’s® top drivers, all while they simultaneously navigate the treacherous road between childhood and young adulthood.

The film, which won the Best Documentary Award at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival and went on to win Best Documentary Awards at the 2010 Indianapolis International Film Festival and the Jacksonville Film Festival, also took home the Silver Hugo Award at the 2010 Chicago Film Festival. Racing Dreams was executive produced by Jack Turner, Dany Garcia and actor Dwayne Johnson.

Digital Entertainment Platform Debuts on Devices This Month

Best Buy Co. Inc (NYSE:BBY) today announced the availability of its new digital video service CinemaNow which will provide customers same-day instant access to new release movies and TV shows. The service will initially be accessible through select connected Blu-ray Disc players and HDTVs, and on most PCs via the web at www.cinemanow.com.

Beginning this month,the service will be available on all new connected Blu-ray Disc players and home theater systems from LG Electronics. CinemaNow is also expected to launch on an array of other devices from various manufacturers, including Insignia, later this year.

CinemaNow, the result of the previously announced strategic relationship between SonicSolutions® and Best Buy, will be powered by the RoxioNow™ technology platform.  Best Buy owns the legal rights to the CinemaNow trademark, and will use it going forward to market the service to consumers who will have the ability to buy or rent from an extensive library of premium content, including new release movies and TV shows, with no subscription required.

The platform will also allow customers to seamlessly access their premium content on a wide range of Internet connected devices from multiple manufacturers. The initial product launch, which is expected to be followed by an improved and updated version later this year, will allow customers to easily browse, search and purchase premium content through a highly-functional, straightforward user interface, and will deliver a high-quality viewing experience through enhanced playback technology.

Sheetz customers can access BLOCKBUSTER Express outdoor kiosks 24 hours a day for their favorite new and classic DVDs titles at $1 per night.

NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) continues its expansion in the DVD-rental kiosk

market, adding Sheetz convenience stores to its growing roster of retail partners. By the end of March, consumers can visit NCR’s BLOCKBUSTER Express-branded DVD-rental kiosks at nearly all 365 Sheetz locations open 24 hours a day.

This represents NCR’s first major BLOCKBUSTER Express kiosk deployment in six new markets located throughout North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.  Sheetz customers can rent their home entertainment conveniently and affordably through NCR’s BLOCKBUSTER Express-branded kiosks, which offer DVD rentals for only $1 per night with no membership requirement.

The kiosks will be located outside Sheetz stores. NCR’s outdoor kiosks are a perfect fit for C-store locations that welcome customers 24-hours/day but have limited space. Customers simply swipe their credit card and are charged $1 per night until they return the DVD to any BLOCKBUSTER Express kiosk – not just where they originally rented the DVD.

NCR’s outdoor kiosk is the most secure and highest-capacity weather-protected DVDrental kiosk in the industry. With capacity for more than 900 DVDs each, the kiosks provide consumers the widest, most popular selection of new and classic DVDs available.

“At Sheetz we deliver convenience to our busy customers,” said Josh Campbell, Beverage/GM sales manager, Sheetz. “Our customers expect the best when they visit Sheetz, and we considered a number of different options when adding a DVD-rental partner. It is clear that NCR is thinking about the future of entertainment while providing the best customer experience today. We also liked that they were able to quickly deploy the kiosks across almost all of our stores.

We believe our customers will enjoy renting DVDs from BLOCKBUSTER Express. “Our DVD-rental kiosk deployments continue to rise as convenience stores such as Sheetz realize the added value they can bring to customers while they are making routine purchases,” said Alex Camara, vice president and general manager, NCR Entertainment. “By partnering with NCR, Sheetz is providing a prime opportunity for customers to maximize the convenience of their shopping experience, whether they are looking for food, fuel or entertainment.”