The Weinstein Company Targets Direct-to-Video Business

NEW YORK,
May 24: The Weinstein Company and Dimension Films are expanding in the
direct-to-video market with the launch of three new DVD labels focusing on
classic films, family entertainment and edgy, provocative programming.

The Miriam Collection will restore and release high quality
classics, contemporary classics and notable foreign films; Kaleidoscope TWC is
a family friendly entertainment label under which all The Weinstein Company's
upcoming family programming will be released. Dimension Extreme will release
edgy and provocative programming including horror films, thrillers, sci-fi
adventures and comedies.

Each label will primarily focus on direct-to-video releases,
but will however occasionally release films theatrically. All of the
direct-to-video titles will be distributed through Genius Products, TWC's
exclusive home video distributor.

Bob Weinstein stated, "When Harvey and I formed TWC,
one of our main priorities was to build a strong, valuable and diverse film
library filled with a unique combination of quality theatrical releases and
niche direct-to-DVD titles. The launch of The Miriam Collection, Kaleidoscope
and Dimension Extreme, enables us to continue doing just that.

Harvey Weinstein added: "Through these cutting-edge
labels, we will be able to continue expanding our film library while extending
our presence in the lucrative direct-to-DVD market. Kaleidoscope will build on
the success we have already enjoyed in the family friendly arena with Hoodwinked and TMNT
and Dimension Extreme will join Dimension Films as the premier destination for
genre film-lovers. Also, we can think of no better way to honor our mother
Miriam, than to associate her name with some of the most beloved and classic
films of all time.”

The first release from The Miriam Collection will be the
Academy Award nominated 1961 epic El Cid,
produced by Samuel Bronston, starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren. Never
released on DVD, this classic film tells the story of the legendary Spanish
hero, Rodrigo Diaz, who succeeded in driving the Moors from Spain. Future
releases will include three more Samuel Bronston produced films—Fall
of the Roman Empire starring Alec Guiness
and Sophia Loren, 55 Days at Peking
starring Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner, and Circus World starring John Wayne and Claudia Cardinale. Foreign
classics to be released include Akira Kurosawa's last film Madadayo and Pedro Almodovar's Dark Habits and What Have I Done to Deserve This? The first modern classic to be released will be The
Deal, the 2003 British TV movie.
Additionally, each year there will be one film released under the banner
"Bob and Harvey's Pick".
All proceeds of this release will be given to charity.

Kaleidoscope TWC’s programming will include theatrical
releases, direct-to-video releases, TV series and specials, and classic
children's and family films. Upcoming titles include a CG-animated The Nutty
Professor, based on the original film of
the same name, with voiceovers by Jerry Lewis, who was the creator, director
and star of the original; the Unstable Fables CG-animated series of well-known classic tales
including Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs
and Tortoise and The Hare, all of
which are being produced by The Jim Henson Company. Other releases include the
CG-animated Hoodwinked 2: Hood vs. Evil, Igor, and Escape
From Planet Earth.

At Dimension Extreme, upcoming releases, both theatrical and
direct-to-video, include Pulse 2, Black
Sheep, Dirty Sanchez, and Rogue.

The labels will be overseen by Barry Gordon, the recently
appointed executive VP of home entertainment for TWC.