Lionsgate Expands into Christian Content Market

SANTA MONICA, April 12: Lionsgate is making a
determined play for the Christian entertainment market in the U.S., securing a
DVD deal with leading Christian publisher Thomas Nelson and acquiring three
faith-based documentary titles.

Thomas Nelson becomes the exclusive distributor of Lionsgate
product in the Christian retail market. Lionsgate will utilize its relationship
with Thomas Nelson to gain leverage for its existing library product as well as
upcoming theatrical titles such as Church Boy, based on the true story of gospel music icon Kirk Franklin, and a
feature adaptation of Thomas Kinkade's painting The Christmas Cottage. Lionsgate has already established a stronghold in
the African-American faith-based market through its partnership with Tyler
Perry and the feature films Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea's Family Reunion and Daddy's Little Girls.

Lionsgate has also acquired the exclusive North American
home entertainment distribution rights to three DVD documentaries based on the
best-selling books by leading Christian non-fiction author Lee Strobel: The
Case for Christ, The Case for a
Creator, and The Case For Faith. The books have sold more than 8 million copies
worldwide. The documentaries were produced by Illustra Media in association
with Carmel Entertainment. The first, The Case for Christ, will ship to retail in the third quarter of this
year.

"Lionsgate is making a concerted effort to expand its
leadership in the faith-based category,” said Steve Beeks, the studio’s
president. “Making Lee Strobel's The
Case for Christ the first new title under
the Thomas Nelson relationship is a very powerful statement to show our
commitment. Thomas Nelson has the best sales team in the industry, and they
provide our faith-based product with unprecedented access to millions of proven
Christian product buyers across the United States."