LOS ANGELES, April 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Shangri-La Entertainment today announced that the Sebastian Gutierrez film Girl Walks Into a Bar, the multi-character crime comedy starring Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Carla Gugino and Zachary Quinto among many others, has now been watched 550,000 times on YouTube.

Girl Walks Into a Bar continues to exceed expectations more than one month following the film's premiere in YouTube's Screening Room on March 11.  Since its YouTube debut, Girl Walks Into a Bar has received continuous spikes in viewership via strong-word-of-mouth and social media campaigns, including viral videos and Tweets from cast and friends of the film.  

Prior to launch, Shangri-La bypassed traditional theatrical distribution and display advertising, in favor of a unique public relations and social media campaign.  Shangri-La also premiered the film at the South by SouthWest (SXSW) Film Festival on the same day of its YouTube debut.

Shangri-La Entertainment and the filmmaker also worked with YouTube to secure an exclusive presenting sponsor in Lexus to minimize commercial interruptions while maximizing the value of impressions for the movie's sponsor partner.

"In an era where the internet gets blamed for so much, it's extremely encouraging to realize online distribution is a viable avenue for indies.  Here are half a million people passionately watching and discussing a movie in near-real time--half a million people who may not have easy access to a local arthouse," said Sebastian Gutierrez. "I'm excited for the possibilities this opens up in terms of future projects and how we can reach a global marketplace all in one go, by relying on the collective efforts of the cast, production team and presenting sponsor. It's a liberating alternative to the often cost-prohibitive distribution and marketing costs that low budget movies face."

Girl Walks Into a Bar follows a series of characters in interlocking stories taking place in ten different bars during the course of one evening in Los Angeles. The ensemble cast features extraordinary performances by Carla Gugino, Zachary Quinto, Danny DeVito, Josh Hartnett, Rosario Dawson, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Aaron Tveit, Robert Forster, Amber Valletta, Gil Bellows and Kevin Zegers.

About Shangri-La Entertainment

Shangri-La Entertainment films include "Beowulf," "CSNY: Deja Vu," "For Your Consideration,"  "Heart of Gold," "Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World," "The Polar Express," "Shine A Light" and the upcoming Bob Marley documentary "Marley."  

About YouTube

YouTube is the world's most popular online video community allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally-created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, CA and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.

About Lexus

Lexus is the leading luxury automaker in the United States. With its reputation for high-quality products and exemplary customer service from its 229 dealers, Lexus has been the top-selling luxury automaker for 11 years in a row. In addition, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader, offering five hybrids that provide the best in innovative technology and first-class luxury. When Lexus was established in 1989, it offered two models of vehicles. Now, more than 20 years later, Lexus offers variations of 10 vehicles, from the sporty CT 200h hybrid to the V10 supercar, the LFA.

CONTACT: Jason Magner, +1-310-854-8128, jmagner@rogersandcowan.com, for Shangri-La Entertainment

SOURCE Shangri-La Entertainment