Empire Film Group Freezes Hounddog DVD Release Until February 17 Due to Arkansas Ice Storm


MALIBU, Calif., Jan. 30, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A weather state-of-emergency in Northwest Arkansas has disrupted order processing and DVD shipments of "Hounddog," reports Empire Film Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets:EFGU), which operates its primary warehouse facility in Springdale, Arkansas. The ice storm, already responsible for more than 20 deaths and power outages throughout a three-state region, impacted Empire's ability to assure simultaneous release of the anticipated DVD title.

"The entire region has been virtually shut down for the past week," said Jim Townsend, spokesman for Empire Film Group. "In order to level the competitive playing field and make sure that all retailers have the product available on the same date, we had to delay the release date until February 17, 2009. We apologize to consumers and retailers that have been impacted by this unfortunate weather event, and appreciate their support of this revised release date."

"Hounddog" was released to theaters by Empire commencing September 19, 2008, and played for thirteen weeks throughout the USA. Key cities included New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and San Diego. The film received strong support from major critics, including National Public Radio, New York Magazine and the Hollywood Reporter. Dakota Fanning received exceptional praise for her performance from the New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune.

Product Specifics: Hounddog, starring Dakota Fanning, Robin Wright-Penn, David Morse and Piper Laurie. Written and Directed by Deborah Kampmeier; produced by Kampmeier, Scott Franklin and Jen Gatien. 98 Mins., Color, Stereo 5.1 Surround, MPAA Rated R. 2008 Theatrical Release.

DVD item HH 1215, UPC 7-61450-12153-9, $19.95 sugg. retail. New release date: February 17, 2009

Blu-Ray item HH 0215, UPC 7-61450-02153-2, $24.95 sugg. retail. New release date: March 3, 2009

For more information contact: Jim Townsend, Empire Film Group, JTownsend@empirefilmgroup.com, 310-317-9176.

Empire owns or controls a library of more than 170 titles, over half of which are currently in release. Top selling current DVD titles for Empire include "The Last Brickmaker In America" starring Sidney Poitier, "Grand Champion" starring Bruce Willis and Emma Roberts, and "Teen Yoga" starring Miss Teen USA (2005), Allie LaForce.

Learn more about Empire Film Group at http://www.empirefilmgroup.com



            

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