'The Mighty Macs' Gets National Release Date

LOS ANGELES, May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Quaker Media, in association with Ocean Avenue Entertainment and The Maximus Group, has announced that The Mighty Macs, the inspirational underdog drama that captures the true story of the 1972 women's college basketball championship, will open in theaters on Oct. 21, 2011. Set in suburban Philadelphia, The Mighty Macs features Carla Gugino ("Spy Kids," "Race to Witch Mountain," "Night at the Museum"), David Boreanz (Fox TV's "Bones," "Angel"), Marley Shelton ("Eleventh Hour," "Pleasantville") and Academy Award®-winner Ellen Burstyn (Best Actress, "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore"). Burstyn is among an elite group of performers who has won the "Acting Triple Crown" – an Oscar®, an Emmy and a Tony.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110523/CL07506LOGO )

The Mighty Macs recounts the original Cinderella story of women's college basketball. It's about faith, commitment and the triumph of the human spirit ... about anyone who has ever had a dream.

Cathy Rush – a woman ahead of her time – takes a seemingly unnoticeable position as the head basketball coach at tiny Immaculata, an all-girls Catholic college in suburban Philadelphia. Courage and determination help her overcome a myriad of obstacles and, in the end, Rush leads a ragtag group of girls to the first-ever national championship in women's college basketball.

"Every good sports movie is a metaphor for something else," says Tim Chambers, the film's director. "Just as the movie 'Miracle' was set against the backdrop of the Cold War and 'Remember the Titans' tackled race relations, The Mighty Macs is about the equality of dreams … about not letting the obstacles of 'who you are' get in the way of what you can achieve." Chambers is a 20-year veteran of the film and television industry. The Mighty Macs is his feature-film-directing debut. He also produced the film and wrote the screenplay.

Partnering with Quaker Media, Ocean Avenue Entertainment and The Maximus Group for the theatrical release is AFFIRM Films, a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. AFFIRM is consulting on the theatrical marketing efforts and developing The Mighty Macs creative assets. "We are very pleased to be involved with this project. We have a history of successful partnership with Ocean Avenue Entertainment and The Maximus Group," said Rich Peluso, Vice President of AFFIRM Films. "The Mighty Macs is an inspiring film that will connect well to the audiences we know how to reach."

The Maximus Group, an Atlanta-based communications agency that specializes in niche audience marketing, will provide the marketing strategy. The Maximus Group has successfully partnered on several major Hollywood releases including "The Passion of the Christ," "The Chronicles of Narnia," "The Nativity Story," "Fireproof" and, most recently, "The Grace Card" and "Of Gods and Men." Lisa Wheeler, Executive Vice President of The Maximus Group, remarked, "We have worked on some truly remarkable films for the faith and family market over the last several years, but The Mighty Macs will certainly be one of the most exciting projects we have had. Not since "Rudy" has a film awakened such a desire to jump out of your seat and root for the underdog as this one. We think audiences are going to love this movie."

ABOUT QUAKER MEDIA

Quaker Media is an innovative production company that creates, produces, manages, distributes and syndicates unique media content. Their projects include: feature films (The Mighty Macs), unscripted television shows ("Farmer's Almanac TV" and "The Four Horsemen") and Television Networks ("Tango Traffic" and "Real Estate on Demand"). Their partnerships include: Comcast, Verizon Fios, Tribune, RFD-TV, 3Ball Productions and RedLasso.

ABOUT OCEAN AVENUE ENTERTAINMENT

Ocean Avenue Entertainment (OAE) is a production and distribution company that specializes in entertainment embraced by a faith audience. OAE represents producers to obtain distribution through multiple channels and platforms from theatrical to home video. OAE is also co-owner of WingCinema, which distributes and licenses movies and documentaries to churches. OAE is at www.oceanave.tv.

ABOUT THE MAXIMUS GROUP

The Maximus Group is a successful marketing and communications company specializing in connecting and serving niche audiences. The Maximus Group has delivered the grass-roots strategy and/or execution on many major movie campaigns including "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," "The Nativity Story," "Fireproof" and others. In addition, The Maximus Group represents marketing and distribution projects for institutions, publishing companies, causes and initiatives that have close connections and interest in the Roman Catholic faith. The Maximus Group is at www.MaximusMG.com.

ABOUT AFFIRM FILMS

AFFIRM Films is a division of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA), a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company, dedicated to producing, acquiring and marketing films which inspire, uplift, and entertain audiences. AFFIRM Films is at www.AFFIRMFilms.com.

To learn more, visit:

The Mighty Macs – www.TheMightyMacs.com.

Facebook – www.Facebook.com/TheMightyMacs.

For interviews, contact Alexis Walkenstein at [email protected] or 678-990-9032

"Academy Award®" and "Oscar®" are the registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

SOURCE The Maximus Group