SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — LIONSGATE(R) (NYSE: LGF), the leading next generation studio, announced today that it has acquired the North American home entertainment distribution rights to NO GREATER LOVE, a touching story about faith and love. Under the terms of the arrangement, Lionsgate obtains the rights to distribute the title on DVD, VOD and EST. Scheduled for a first quarter 2010 release, the movie will be distributed in the Christian marketplace by Thomas Nelson — the world’s largest Christian book publisher and Lionsgate’s exclusive distributor to the Christian market.

The announcement was made by Anne Parducci, Lionsgate Executive Vice President of Marketing & Family Entertainment, Dan Lynch, Vice President of Family Entertainment for Thomas Nelson, and Russ Rice, President of Coram Deo Studios, Inc. in association with Chris Bueno and Larry Frenzel of Carmel Entertainment. Carmel Entertainment has also been associated with leading Christian films such as Facing the Giants and Fireproof. The deal was negotiated by Wendy Jaffe, Lionsgate Executive Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs, Acquisitions and Co-Productions, and Larry Frenzel, CEO of Carmel Entertainment.

“NO GREATER LOVE is a beautiful story about the universal themes of faith, love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The subject matter of the movie is something that anyone can appreciate and relate to,” said Parducci. “While this movie will certainly perform in the Christian outlets, it is also just the type of faith-based title that we look for to deliver to a wider audience.”

“When I saw this film I knew it would be very successful in the Christian bookstore market. The film has a strong message about forgiveness, faith and marriage. Each person who watches NO GREATER LOVE tends to see themselves in one of the characters. We’re very excited to be partnering with Lionsgate to bring this film to market,” said Lynch.

“We made this film believing it would touch many lives and are so pleased that Lionsgate and Thomas Nelson share this vision,” said Rice. “We could not be more thrilled to have them as our partners in distributing NO GREATER LOVE.”

NO GREATER LOVE is the latest faith-based acquisition for Lionsgate. The studio continues to increase its presence in Christian retail by utilizing its relationship with Thomas Nelson to gain leverage for its existing library of product as well as inspirational theatrical titles. In recent years, Lionsgate has released high-profile faith-based titles including Bella, Erwin McManus’s Crave, Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker’s House, and The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith and the upcoming The Case for a Creator, the DVD documentaries based on the best-selling books by leading Christian non-fiction author Lee Strobel, among others.

ABOUT NO GREATER LOVE
Executive produced by Russ Rice of Coram Deo Studios in association with Carmel Entertainment Group, and directed by Brad Silverman, NO GREATER LOVE tells a moving story of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the irresistible grace of God.

Jeff and Heather were the “lucky ones.” Best friends from childhood, high school sweethearts, and married by 22. They were inseparable soul mates. Jeff’s world is dramatically rocked when Heather disappears after the birth of their son. Heather shockingly reappears ten years later in the most unusual place.

About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) is the leading next generation studio with a strong and diversified presence in the production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, video-on-demand and digitally delivered content. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury, reality programming through its joint venture with ISH Entertainment and an array of channel platform assets. Its feature film business achieved a record box office performance in the recent January-March 2009 quarter, driven by the success of “Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes To Jail,” “My Bloody Valentine 3-D” and “The Haunting In Connecticut.” The Company’s home entertainment business has grown to more than 7% market share and leads the industry in its box office-to-DVD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 12,000 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 brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com.

About Thomas Nelson
Thomas Nelson is a leading provider of Bibles, products, and live events emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes. For more information, visit our website www.thomasnelson.com.

About Coram Deo Studios, Inc.
Founded in 2007, Coram Deo Studios has burst into the faith-based market with their debut feature, NO GREATER LOVE. Sharing a distinctly Biblical worldview, the core team members consist of diverse industry professionals with a wide range of complimentary skills. Coram Deo currently has two additional films in the works. For more information visit www.coramdeostudios.com.

For Press Inquiries Contact:
Lionsgate
Jodie Magid/Jennifer Sandler
212-386-6885/ 310-255-4072
Jmagid@lionsgate.com/jsandler@lionsgate.com

Thomas Nelson
Jackie Johnston
615-902-1722
JJohnston@ThomasNelson.com

“I am very excited about this partnership, says Wayne Hastings, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group. “Standard has a long tradition of serving churches across the country with integrity and service, and we’re honored to have their team come alongside us and represent Thomas Nelson’s life-changing small group and church resources.”

“Because of our position as one of the leading publishers of Vacation Bible School programs and church curriculum products, Standard is very effective at creating awareness of our products at the church level,” notes Larry A. Carpenter President and Publisher of Standard Publishing. “We are proud that Thomas Nelson has recognized our capabilities and given us the opportunity to sell their God-honoring products in to the churches with which we work.”

For more than 140 years, Standard Publishing has been raising the standard for true-to-the-Bible resources that educate, encourage, and enrich. The company is based in Cincinnati, Ohio where it was founded in 1866. For more information, visit www.standardpub.com.

Contact:    Brenda Smotherman
Publicist
tel:    (615) 902-2231
fax:    (615) 902-1132
web:    www.thomasnelson.com

“The move to Thomas Nelson is a major strategic decision for MBI and one that we are confident will enable the next phase of exciting growth for the company,” said Mike Park, Commercial Director of MBI.  “We have already built up an excellent working relationship with Thomas Nelson which bodes fantastically well for a mutually successful future.  We are very excited and can feel that excitement reflected throughout Thomas Nelson.”

“We are thrilled to begin distributing MBI’s product domestically,” agreed Tod Shuttleworth, Senior Vice President of Specialty and Global Publishing at Thomas Nelson. “Their innovative products will be a wonderful compliment to our existing children’s line. I believe that together, we can grow MBI’s presence throughout the United States.”

About Thomas Nelson
Thomas Nelson is a leading provider of Bibles, products, and live events emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes.  For more information, visit our website www.thomasnelson.com.

About Make Believe Ideas
Make Believe Ideas is a publisher of innovative books for children and babies. Beautifully designed and featuring a range of stimulating novelties, our books encourage creativity and promote learning. For more information, visit our website www.makebelieveideas.com.

Contact: Lindsey Nobles
Thomas Nelson
(615) 902-1109 o
(615) 476-5984 c
lnobles@thomasnelson.com