EPIX Expands NYC Outdoor Movie Program

EPIX, the multiplatform premium service available on television, online and on mobile devices, is expanding to a new set of screens this summer at outdoor venues throughout New York City. EPIX and its exclusive cable distribution partner in New York City, Verizon FiOS, announced today the first annual EPIX Movie Free-for-All powered by Verizon FiOS, providing movies and underwriting for local programs that will draw up to 100,000 attendees in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens this summer.

Working with New York based non-profit festival producer Rooftop Films, EPIX is partnering with a number of local organizations to expand free outdoor movie screenings to more communities throughout the City, adding more events and bigger movies:

· Coney Island Flicks on the Beach presented by EPIX, Verizon FiOS, NYC & Company and
the Coney Island Development Corporation, a new summer series developed by NYC & Co. and the Coney Island Development Corp;
· Summer Screen in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, created by The L Magazine;

· Socrates Outdoor Cinema at the Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City;

· Films in Tompkins, presented by Downtown Diversified and Tompkins Square Park in downtown Manhattan.

"We are proud to be working with leading cultural organizations to make free movies available to more communities and to bring New Yorkers together around film," said Mark Greenberg, CEO and President of EPIX.

"Our partnership with EPIX and Rooftop Films is an opportunity for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy the best in film this summer, in a great atmosphere. Verizon FiOS, is pleased to co-present this popular selection of films this summer and deliver these, and thousands more titles year-round to our FiOS TV EPIX subscribers," said Susan Retta, Verizon Vice President of Marketing.

Over 30 new release and classic films will be screened at the four venues, beginning June 30 and running through September 12. EPIX will present films drawn from its inventory, including Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, Rango, Biuitiful, Iron Man 2, Star Trek, Raging Bull, Annie Hall, Flashdance, Top Gun and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Additionally, each of the screenings will open with short films from the Rooftop Film Festival presented by Rooftop Films, expanding the audience for new films and filmmakers.

"This summer we are proud to work with EPIX and Rooftop Films to broaden the reach of their popular film series with a new event that will appeal to a variety of ages and interests," said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. "By adding Coney Island as a destination to enjoy free outdoor entertainment, the City continues to make itself accessible to locals and visitors alike across the five boroughs."

"With the addition of this summer film series, we are making amazing progress towards establishing Coney Island as a year-round, 21st century amusement and entertainment destination," said Coney Island Development Corporation President Nathan Bliss. "These films will activate the beach throughout the summer and, along with the new Scream Zone and Luna Park, will help us attract more visitors than ever before."

Kicking off the series June 30 at Tompkins Square Park, boxing promoter, Don King, will introduce the first feature, Raging Bull. Promotional events are planned for the screenings throughout the summer, including contests, iPad giveaways and more. More information and complete schedules are available at www.epixhd.com/freeforall.

EPIX, a joint venture between Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), is a next-generation premium entertainment channel, video-on-demand and online service launched on October 30, 2009. With access to more than 15,000 motion pictures spanning the vast libraries of its partners and other studios, EPIX provides a powerful entertainment experience with more feature films on demand and online and more HD movies than any other service. It is the only premium service providing its entire monthly line-up of new Hollywood titles, classic feature films, original series, music and comedy specials through the linear channel, video-on-demand and online at EpixHD.com, the leading online destination for movies. EPIX has made the commitment to deliver the industry's most expansive online collection of movies, making more than 3,000 titles available on EpixHD.com. The service is available to over 30 million homes nationwide through distribution partners including Charter Communications, Cox Communications, DISH Network, Mediacom Communications, NCTC, Suddenlink Communications and Verizon FiOS. In addition, Netflix members can instantly watch an array of new releases and library titles from EPIX streamed over the Internet from Netflix 90 days after they premiere in premium pay TV and on demand, giving EPIX another distribution channel to bring its films to more consumers. For more information about EPIX, go to www.EpixHD.com.

About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 104 million total connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 196,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

About Rooftop Films
Rooftop Films is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing communities together via the medium of film. They have been screening new, independently produced films outdoors for 15 years. In addition to their own film screenings, they have also made it their mission to help community groups, parks, and other organizations to present their own outdoor screenings all across the city. To find out more about all that they do, go to www.rooftopfilms.com.

About NYC & Co.
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For the official source on all there is to see and do in New York City, go to www.nycgo.com .

About Coney Island Development Corp.
The Coney Island Development Corporation was formed in September 2003 and includes City officials, local and Brooklyn-wide business and community leaders. It is charged with spearheading and implementing a comprehensive planning process for Coney Island and creating a coordinated economic development strategy for the area. For information about the Coney Island redevelopment plan and the Coney Island Development Corporation, please visit www.thecidc.org.

About Socrates Outdoor Cinema
Presented in collaboration with Museum of the Moving Image and Rooftop Films, this annual international film festival focuses on a different country or culture each Wednesday evening. Now in its 13th year, this program invites visitors to sample regional cuisine from neighborhood restaurants, picnic on the grass, see musical and dance performances, enjoy the cool waterfront breeze as the sun sets over the Manhattan skyline and watch exceptional international films on an outdoor screen. Visit www.socratessculpturepark.org for more information.

About Summerscreen
SummerScreen is The L Magazine's free, weekly, outdoor film screening series in Williamsburg's McCarren Park. This event takes place for six nights throughout July and August and brings together the hippest, most active, trendsetting people in New York City. Each screening is preceded by a live musical performance, with beer and local eats served throughout the night. The series attracts more than 20,000 attendees over six nights and is NYC's longest running major event series in Williamsburg. http://www.thelmagazine.com/blogs/SummerScreenNews/.

About Films in Tompkins
Films in Tompkins is a weekly outdoor screening series that brings hundreds of attendees to Tompkins Square Park every Thursday night for a summer of films, music and fun. The series was founded by Joshua Boyd and Darin Rubell of Downtown Diversified whose neighborhood businesses include Ella Lounge, The Blind Barber and GalleryBar. This year they have partnered up with Phil Hartman, of Two Boots Pizza, who over the last 25 years has supported a variety of arts and children's programs -- including the HOWL! Festival and the Two Boots Mardi Gras Ball, an annual benefit for the Lower East Side Girls Club. www.filmsintompkins.com/.

 

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