Cinedigm Acquires North American Home Entertainment Rights to THE ULTIMATE GIFT Movie Series
Based on a Best-Selling Series of Books, the Uplifting Trilogy
Illustrates Positive Life Lessons and Family Values
Ultimate Gift & Ultimate Life will launch on
the Dove Channel this Summer
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Cinedigm
(NASDAQ: CIDM) has acquired North American home entertainment rights to
THE ULTIMATE GIFT movie series, which includes THE ULTIMATE GIFT (2006),
THE ULTIMATE LIFE (2013) and the third and most recent entry, THE
ULTIMATE LEGACY (2017). Cinedigm is planning a home entertainment
release for the newest picture, including DVD and Digital HD, for early
2017. Additionally, fans of the franchise will be able to re-live the
first two films on the Dove Channel, Cinedigm’s over-the-top digital
streaming service targeted to the faith and family audience, this
Summer. They will be able to purchase the two catalog titles this Fall
on DVD & Digital HD.
The trilogy is based on the “Ultimate Gift” series of best-selling
novels by Jim Stovall, an acclaimed author and highly sought-after
motivational speaker with thirty books to his credit. As in the books,
the “Ultimate Gift” movie series explores how to live a meaningful life
and imparts common sense, positive value-driven lessons that resonate
with young and old alike. All of the pictures carry the Dove
Foundation’s Seal of Approval, which is awarded to content considered
safe and recommendable for family viewing. The Dove Foundation is also
Cinedigm’s partner in Dove Channel.
THE ULTIMATE LEGACY premiered on the Hallmark Channel in January and is
based on Stovall’s novel, “The Gift of a Legacy.” This third installment
continues the journey of character Jason Stevens, as he learns firsthand
the value of teaching. Jason must provide guidance to an aimless young
man, Joey Anderson, who is forced to run his family’s bed-and-breakfast
for a year before earning his inheritance in his late grandmother’s
will. As part of Joey‘s journey to purpose, he must learn to appreciate
hard work, forgiveness, generosity and the enduring value of family and
friends. Logan Bartholomew (THE ULTIMATE LIFE, LOVE’S LONG JOURNEY)
returns as Jason Stevens. The picture boasts strong supporting cast with
veteran actors Brian Dennehy, Raquel Welch, Doug Jones, Bill Cobb and
Lee Meriwether. Additional talent includes Myko Olivier and Aly Hillis.
The picture was directed by Joanne Hock. Executive Producer is Rick
Eldridge, the CEO of ReelWorks Studios. Eldridge previously produced
ULTIMATE GIFT and ULTIMATE LIFE.
The initial entry in the series, THE ULTIMATE GIFT, stars James Garner,
Abigail Breslin and Brian Dennehy. The picture has enjoyed significant
success on home entertainment, selling over 1.3 million DVD and Blu-Ray
units. THE ULTIMATE GIFT introduces the character of Jason Stevens, a
rich playboy who learns life lessons via posthumous video instruction
from his late grandfather (James Garner). Along the way, Jason comes to
see the value of family and friends through the eyes of a young leukemia
patient (Abigail Breslin). Directed by Michael Landon Jr., THE ULTIMATE
LIFE, the sequel to ULTIMATE GIFT, stars Logan Bartholomew and continues
Jason’s journey as he struggles to lead his grandfather’s charitable
foundation and battle a lawsuit brought by greedy relatives. Jason again
turns to the wisdom of his grandfather to guide him through difficult
times.
“The Ultimate Movies are worthwhile and uplifting, with the power to
inspire viewers towards a more purposeful life, and we are proud to
partner with ReelWorks Studios to bring these fantastic movies to
audiences,” says Yolanda Macias, EVP of Acquisitions and Digital Sales
for Cinedigm. “These pictures will make wonderful additions to
Cinedigm’s Dove Channel, our digital streaming network aimed at family
and faith viewers.”
“Cinedigm boasts wide distribution reach and understands the family
entertainment space,” says Eldridge. “With Cinedigm’s expertise and
proven track record of success, I can think of no better distribution
partner for us on the ‘Ultimate Gift’ movie series.”
The deal was brokered between Eldridge and Melody Fowler, Cinedigm’s
Executive Director of Acquisitions.
ABOUT REELWORKS STUDIOS
With over 30 years in the entertainment business as a musician,
producer, director and entrepreneur: C.E.O. and Co-Owner Rick Eldridge
knows how to make projects happen. Whether sports programming, live
production, animated series or feature films, Eldridge has been involved
in every facet of creative development and production management in the
entertainment industry. His resume is a road map to an extraordinary
career that includes the best and most respected names in the industry:
Universal, Disney, and ESPN, to name a few.
Eldridge is presently working on an animated theatrical feature of his
“HERMIE” series. Currently Eldridge is President/CEO of ReelWorks
Studios a multifaceted film/video post-production company in Charlotte,
NC. Under the same roof is GlueWorks Creative Management, an animation
company prized with numerous awards of excellence for projects such as
Hermie & Friends, Gigi, The Pond and On the Farm.
Eldridge is an active member of the following boards: Officer of the
board of trustees for Brevard College in Brevard, NC, Advisor board for
the communications major at Queens University in Charlotte, NC, Advisor
board for the film graduate program at Regent University in Virginia
Beach, VA, Founding board member of Compass Film Academy in Grand
Rapids, MI, Member of the board of directors for HEARTLAND Film Festival
in Indianapolis, IN, Member of the board of directors for Media
Fellowship International in Los Angeles, CA, Member of the counsel of
elders for Forrest Hill Church in Charlotte, NC.
His creative vision has led to his involvement in numerous projects
including:
- The Ultimate Gift (feature film)
- Bobby Jones – Stroke Of Genius (feature film)
- Hermie & Friends (animated series)
- Gigi (animated series)
- Struggle and Triumph (2008 Olympic feature)
- The Prize (World Cup Soccer TV special)
- The Perfect Game (feature film)
- Running The Sahara (feature documentary)
ABOUT CINEDIGM
Cinedigm is a leading independent content distributor in the United
States, with direct relationships with thousands of physical retail
storefronts and digital platforms, including Wal-Mart, Target, iTunes,
Netflix, and Amazon, as well as the national Video on Demand platform on
cable television. The company’s library of films and TV episodes
encompasses award-winning documentaries from Docurama Films®, next-gen
Indies from Flatiron Film Company®, acclaimed independent films and
festival picks through partnerships with the Sundance Institute and
Tribeca Films and a wide range of content from brand name suppliers,
including Discovery, Scholastic, NFL, Shout Factory, Hallmark, Jim
Henson and more.
Additionally, given Cinedigm’s infrastructure, technology, content and
distribution expertise, the Company has rapidly become a leader in the
quickly evolving over-the-top digital network business. Cinedigm’s first
channel, DOCURAMA, launched in May 2014, and is currently available on
iOS, Roku, Xbox and Samsung, with additional platforms currently being
rolled out. Cinedigm launched CONtv, a Comic Con branded channel in
partnership with WIZARD WORLD, on March 3, 2015. The Company’s third OTT
channel, DOVE CHANNEL, will be a digital streaming subscription service
targeted to families and kids seeking high quality and family friendly
content approved by Dove Foundation. Adding to Cinedigm’s diversified
portfolio of digital networks, in early 2015 the Company announced an
OTT partnership with TV4 Entertainment and the planned launch of the
BRIGHT edu-tainment OTT channel. Cinedigm™ and Cinedigm Digital Cinema
Corp™ are trademarks of Cinedigm Corp. [CIDM-G]
Contacts
Cinedigm
Jill Newhouse Calcaterra
EVP Corporate Communications
and Marketing
O: 424-281-5417
C: 310-466-5135
