PANTELION FILMS' "CANTINFLAS" SELECTED TO REPRESENT MEXICO IN THE ACADEMY AWARDS

MEXICO CITY and SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Pantelion Films' "Cantinflas"  has been selected by the Mexican Academy of Cinematic Arts and Sciences to represent Mexico in the Academy Awards where it will compete for a nomination as Best Foreign Language Film, the company announced today.  Pantelion is a joint venture between next generation global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) and the world's leading Hispanic media company Televisa.

Directed by Sebastian del Amo and produced by Vidal Cantu and Adolfo Franco of Kenio Films, the film "Cantinflas" tells the story of Mexico's most important comedian of all time, from his humble beginnings through his triumph in Hollywood winning the Golden Globe for his acting in the film "Around the World in 80 Days."

"This film is a labor of love; it's very satisfying that it was selected to represent Mexico in the Academy Awards. I feel very pleased with the work achieved by everyone and by every single one of the actors and the whole crew," said co-producer Vidal Cantú.

"The selection of our film motivates us to continue producing inspiring stories and quality entertainment of the highest standards; it is a great opportunity that we hope will expose the film to an even broader audience," said co-producer Adolfo Franco.

"We are very proud that Cantinflas has been selected by the Mexican Academy of Cinematic Arts & Sciences to represent Mexico in the Academy Award competition this year," said Pantelion Films CEO Paul Presburger.  "The selection is a testament to the superb acting performances by Oscar Jaenada and the rest of the cast and the gifted filmmaking of Sebastian del Amos.   A film with Latino characters and themes but broad cross-cultural appeal, Cantinflas is the kind of movie that has become a Pantelion trademark."

"Cantinflas," distributed by Pantelion in the U.S. and by Videocine Distribucion in Mexico, has debuted strongly in the U.S., where it has already grossed $5.0 million at the box office on only 429 screens.  Sneak peak screenings will start in Mexico on Sept. 16^th.

"Cantinflas" will premiere in Bolivia on Sept. 18^th; in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and El Salvador on Sept. 25^th and in Ecuador on Sept. 26^th. In Colombia and Panama the film will premiere on Oct. 2^nd; in the Dominican Republic on Oct. 9^th; in Chile and Uruguay on Oct. 16^th; in Brazil on Oct. 22^nd and in Peru on Oct. 23^rd.

About Kenio Films

Kenio Films is an experienced content producer founded by Vidal Cantu and Adolfo Franco in 2005. Kenio is focused on the development of inspiring high-profile productions for the international markets of the United States of America, Europe and Latin America. El Juego Perfecto (The Perfect Game)(2009) with Oscar nominees Clifton Collins and Louis Gosset, Con Los Pies En El Cielo (A Step From Heaven)(2010) with Gloria Estefan and Romero Britto, and Cantinflas (2014) with the acclaimed acting of Oscar Jaenada, are clear examples of the content direction of Kenio Films.

About Pantelion Films

Pantelion Films is the first Latino studio in Hollywood and the new face of Hispanic entertainment. Launched in 2010, Pantelion released the breakout hit Instructions Not Included last year, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S., and last month released Cantinflas, the Mexican entry for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar which achieved the highest per-screen average among all wide releases in the country during its premiere weekend.  Pantelion has also released such films as Pulling Strings, Casa de mi Padre and From Prada to Nada.

Contact:

Jose Rodriguez
Pantelion Films
310.255.3688
[email protected]

Carol Sewell
Pantelion Films
310.255.3667
[email protected]

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SOURCE Pantelion Films