PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY BEGINS ON “SOUL SURFER,” INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF TEEN SURFER BETHANY HAMILTON

Transporting a real-life tale of adventure, tragedy, courage, and a story as impressive as Hawaii’s most famous waves, principal photography began this week on the North Shores of Oahu and Kauai, on Soul Surfer.  The inspirational film is based on the autobiography of 19-year-old champion surfer Bethany Hamilton, who, for over six years, has defied all odds to compete and win professional championships after losing her arm in a shark attack at age thirteen.

Soul Surfer stars Golden Globe nominee Dennis Quaid (as Bethany’s father Tom), Academy Award winner Helen Hunt (as Bethany’s mother Cheri), Young Artist Award winner AnnaSophia Robb (as Bethany Hamilton) and four-time Grammy winner and platinum-selling music artist Carrie Underwood (as Church Youth Leader Sarah Hill) in her film debut.   The cast also includes Lorraine Nicholson (as Alana Blanchard) and Kevin Sorbo (as Holt Blanchard).

Newly launched Mandalay Vision and Brookwell McNamara Entertainment and Life’s A Beach Entertainment present Soul Surfer, a Sean McNamara Film, distributed by Affirm Films, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company, financed by Enticing Entertainment and Island Film Group. Sean McNamara will direct from a screenplay by McNamara, Deborah Schwartz, Douglas Schwartz and Michael Berk based on the best-selling novel Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton.  Contributors to the screenplay include Ron Bass, Jen Smolka and Kara Holden.  The film is produced by Douglas Schwartz, David Brookwell, Sean McNamara and Roy Dutcher Hofstetter and executive produced by David Zelon, David Tice and Dominic Ianno.

Chronicling the rise of a promising young athlete, a debilitating tragedy and one of the greatest sports comebacks ever, Soul Surfer is a poignant story about the heart and soul of a champion.  Hawaiian native Bethany Hamilton entered her first major surfing competition at age eight, going on to win contests such as the 1999 Haleiwa Menehune Championships and competing in the National Scholastic Surfing Association circuit.  By thirteen she was well-respected in the surfing world, but her dream of becoming a pro surfer was interrupted, on October 31, 2003, when she was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark while surfing off Kauai’s North Shore.

Losing more than half her blood, yet miraculously surviving, Bethany was now living without a left arm.  The determination to pursue her dream, however, had not been taken away.  She was back in the water a month later, learning to paddle with one arm and to find her balance on the surfboard.  Rip Curl, her surf sponsor and supporter of the film, never gave up on her dreams either. In fact, two summers later Bethany Hamilton took first place in the NSSA National Championships, a goal she had sought to achieve since before the shark attack.  In 2008, Bethany began competing full-time in the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series and recently competed at the ASP World Junior Championships. In 2008 and 2009, Bethany finished in the finals numerous times including second place in the World Junior Pro in Portugal in 2009 to propel her into the top 12 world rankings. She won the Nickelodeon 2004 “Teen Choice” award and the 2004 “ESPY” award and 2005 USA Today “Free Spirit Award.”

Bethany Hamilton has become an inspirational icon to people around the world, transcending the sport of surfing by overcoming adversity, achieving her dreams, and encouraging others to do the same.

“I’ve been a writer and producer for the past 32 years, and I’ve never encountered a more inspiring true story than Bethany Hamilton’s” stated Doug Schwartz (Baywatch co-creator). “The movie will encourage people worldwide to rise above adversity.”

“Watching her surf is like an optical illusion.  She does things that your mind can’t immediately comprehend,” offered executive producer David Zelon.

“Witnessing Bethany’s historical sports comeback and inspirational effect on people 8 to 80 years old has been a privilege” added Hamilton’s manager and producer Roy Dutcher Hofstetter.

Hamilton’s autobiography, Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board (Simon & Schuster) has sold nearly 1.5 million copies since its publication in 2004.  A sequel, Soul Surfer –Now a Movie, is planned in conjunction with the movie’s theatrical release.

Golden Globe and SAG nominee for his performance in Far From Heaven, Dennis Quaid is represented by William Morris Entertainment and currently stars in the film Legion and will next be seen in the HBO movie A Special Relationship where he plays former President Bill Clinton.

Helen Hunt was last seen starring in the critically acclaimed Then She Found Me – a film she wrote, produced and directed starring alongside Colin Firth and Bette Midler. She also has Every Day coming out later this year with Liev Schreiber.

AnnaSophia Robb made an impression on U.S. and global audiences with her breakthrough role as Opal, opposite Jeff Daniels, in the 2005 family film Because of Winn-Dixie.  Subsequent films include Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (as the gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde), Bridge to Terabithia (for which she won a 2008 Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress) and the science-fiction thriller Race to Witch Mountain. AnnaSophia was also nominated for the Critic’s Choice Award for Best Young Actress. Robb is represented by CAA and Untitled Entertainment.

A five-time Grammy Award winner, a member of the Grand Ole Opry, the 2009 Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, and three-time CMA and ACM Female Vocalist winner, Carrie Underwood has amassed more than 11 million in U.S. album sales since her debut CD in 2005, more than any other American Idol winner. Along the way, she has consistently broken new ground and became the first country artist in history to achieve eleven consecutive #1 singles. Underwood’s North American 2010 headline tour, “Play On Tour,” will launch in March.

“HOPE FOR HAITI NOW: A GLOBAL BENEFIT FOR EARTHQUAKE RELIEF” ANNOUNCES LINEUP OF SUPERSTAR MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, and Sting Will Appear in New York City;

Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, and a Group Performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock, and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles;

Coldplay, and a Group Performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, and Rihanna in London

All Performances to be Available for Purchase from Apple® iTunes® Store with Proceeds Benefiting Select Haiti Relief Funds

More than One Hundred of the Biggest Names in Film, Television, and Music to Appear on “Hope for Haiti Now,” Along with Wyclef Jean in New York City, George Clooney in Los Angeles, and CNN’s Anderson Cooper in Haiti

Additional Television, Online, and Mobile Partners Make “Hope for Haiti Now” the Most Widely Distributed Global Telethon in History

“Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief,” today announced its lineup of superstar musical performances.   The global telethon will feature performances by Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, and Sting in New York City; Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift and a group performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock, and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles; and Coldplay, and a group performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, and Rihanna in a newly added London location.   All musical performances will be available for purchase for $.99 per song through the Apple® iTunes® Store beginning Saturday, January 23, with all proceeds benefiting Haiti relief funds managed by “Hope for Haiti Now” charities.

In addition to musical performances, Wyclef Jean in New York City, George Clooney in Los Angeles, and CNN’s Anderson Cooper reporting from Haiti, “Hope for Haiti Now” will feature more than one hundred of the biggest names in film, television, and music supporting the cause with testimonials and by answering phones during the telethon.

The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and United Nations World Food Programme have joined the list of relief organizations that will benefit from “Hope for Haiti Now,” which also includes Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and Yele Haiti Foundation.   Proceeds from “Hope for Haiti Now” will be split evenly among each organization’s individual funds for Haiti earthquake relief.

“Hope for Haiti Now” will be the most widely distributed telethon in history, both internationally and across media platforms.   The two-hour telethon will air on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1, and CMT on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and 7:00 p.m. CT. “Hope for Haiti Now” will also air on newly added networks including PBS, TNT, Showtime, COMEDY CENTRAL, Bravo, E! Entertainment, National Geographic Channel, Oxygen, G4, CENTRIC, Current TV, Fuse, MLB Network, EPIX, Palladia, SoapNet, Style, Discovery Health, Planet Green, and Canadian networks including CBC Television, CTV, Global Television, and MuchMusic.  The event will be live streamed online globally across sites including YouTube, Hulu, MySpace, Fancast, AOL, MSN.com, Yahoo, Bing.com, BET.com, CNN.com, MTV.com, VH1.com, and Rhapsody and on mobile via Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and FloTV. “Hope for Haiti Now” will also air internationally on BET International, CNN International, National Geographic, and MTV Networks International, which is available in 640 million homes worldwide.   “Hope for Haiti Now” will be the first U.S.-based telethon airing on MTV in China.   Facebook and Twitter have signed on as official social media partners to help drive donations and tune-in to the telethon.

“Hope for Haiti Now” is produced by Joel Gallen and Tenth Planet Productions, in collaboration with Viacom’s MTV Networks and George Clooney.

Jimmy Wayne Kicks Off  His Meet Me Halfway Walk Across America

Pictured:  Wayne with some of the young residents of Monroe Harding in Nashville, TN

Check out the new Red Band trailer for KICK-ASS, coming to theaters in 2010!

SUPPORT THE ORPHAN CAUSE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Show Hope^TM And Worldwide Photography Announce 4th Year Partnership With The Santa Mall Program;

Participants Donate $1 And Receive Free Steven Curtis Chapman Song, A Santa Letter, And Hope For Orphans!

NASHVILLE, TN– November 12, 2009–Continuing to fight for the staggering number of orphans worldwide, Show Hope has partnered for the fourth year in a row with Worldwide Photography, an organization that provides Santa photos during the holiday season in shopping malls across America. Starting last week on November 5th and going through the Christmas season, 215 malls nationwide will kick off the program “A Family For Christmas,” which will offer families who purchase photos with Santa the option to donate $1 or more to support the adoption and orphan cause. All proceeds will go to Show Hope’s Adoption Aid Grant program.

Each family who donates to the program will also receive a free download of Steven Curtis Chapman’s heartfelt Christmas song, “All I Really Want For Christmas,” as well as a personalized letter from Santa. In addition, further information will be provided about adoption and how families can make a difference in their community and in the world.

In its first three years, the mall Santa photo promotion has raised more than $186,000, with all proceeds going to Show Hope. Show Hope is the sole charity of choice by Worldwide Photography and its alliance members IPI, Inc., and SEPIA Photo Promotions.

“The greatest gift that Santa can give a child is the gift of a ‘forever’ family,” states Jeffry Angelo, Senior Partner, Worldwide Photography. “As the adoptive parent of a Russian orphan I have seen firsthand the difference that is made in the life of a orphaned child when you wrap them in your arms. Our Worldwide Photography family of more than 2,000 employees embrace Show Hope and the great work they do enabling families to adopt…really, it is the best feeling in the world to save the heart of a child! We are blessed to play a small roll in this effort.”

Since it began in 2006, this Santa photo promotion has been a unique opportunity to educate people regarding the plight of orphans globally and locally, in addition to raising support for families who are not financially able to adopt children. With the funds raised, financial grants are then distributed to adoptive families. There is hope that many children will be received into forever families!

“Each year as we prepare to roll out our program with Show Hope, I eagerly anticipate the ‘little miracles’ that occur daily at Santa sets across the country,” states Alex Allen, VP-COO for Worldwide Photography. “And yet nothing prepares me for the joy or emotional impact experienced through a forever family connection. Incredible!…is the only way I can describe the feeling that comes when you participate as a vehicle for God’s love that makes a difference for others, especially orphans. I am always awestruck by the impact made by the silent heroes at the Santa sets who help promote the program or quietly donate that dollar, that ultimately unites an orphan with a loving family.”

For more information on the impact your donation can have on adoption, please visit www.AFamilyForChristmas.org, as well as www.ShowHope.org.

About Show Hope:

Since its inception, Show Hope has financially helped provide forever homes for over 2,000 orphans from more than 40 countries, resulting in a truly worldwide impact. Yet, still so much more support assistance is needed as Show Hope’s Adoption Aid Grant program receives at least 125 new adoption assistance financial grant requests each month.

About Worldwide Photography:

Worldwide Photography serves as a concierge Santa and Easter Bunny photography experience to more than 200 major malls throughout the country. Worldwide Photography started business in 1999 and employs more than 3500 seasonal and full-time employees throughout the year. For more information, contact: Jeff Angelo, Senior Partner for Worldwide Photography, by emailing jeff@sepianet.com, by phone #936-372-3111, or by visiting www.wwponline.com.

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Photos below-courtesy of Show Hope.  A couple of the children featured here are recipients of Show Hope Adoption Aid Grants, sharing with Santa last year what’s on their Christmas lists.

The 12th annual Savannah Film Festival, hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design, presented Emmy Rossum with the Young Hollywood Award on Nov. 2.

“I’m extremely honored to be given this award,” said Rossum. “This award and the incredible student films shown here at the festival show that SCAD has an eye on the future of film, as well as an appreciation of its past. I’m delighted to be here to accept this.”

Also in attendance were her co-stars Zach Gilford and Ashley Springer.  Earlier that day they gave a Masters Class to SCAD Performing Arts Students.

Rossum’s starring performance as Christine in “The Phantom of the Opera” in 2004 earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. Her acting performance in “Songcatcher” earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination in the category of Best Debut Performance. Other past film credits include the Clint Eastwood-directed drama “Mystic River,” “Poseidon,” “The Day After Tomorrow” with Jake Gyllenhaal, “Dragonball” and “Happy Now.”

At age 7, Rossum began singing at the Metropolitan Opera, and she has since performed with such musical talents as Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti and Dolly Parton. In 2007, Rossum recorded her first album for Geffen Records, “Inside Out.” She wrote and recorded all her own songs. She is currently working on her second album.

Following the presentation, film festival attendees were treated to a late night special screening of the independent drama, “Dare,” starring Rossum. “Dare” follows three teenagers through their last semester of school, who make a last-ditch effort to shake things up by taking the biggest risks of their lives before they actually have to start living as adults. “Dare” will be released theatrically by Image Entertainment Nov. 13.

SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT OFFERS TWILIGHT FANS

THE CHANCE TO MEET CAST MEMBERS OF

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON

This November, Summit Entertainment invites TWILIGHT fans to THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON cast tour, visiting 15 cities nationwide.

The nationwide tour will kick off in Los Angeles, CA at the Hollywood & Highland Center on Friday, November 6^th with a special event open to the public where fans will be treated with performances by several bands featured on THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON soundtrack scheduled to include Death Cab for Cutie, Anya Marina, Sea Wolf, and Band of Skulls, giving fans a brand-new way to experience the album.  Fans can also attend a Question & Answer forum with many of the movie’s cast members.

At each of the 15 city stops along the tour, fans can participate in many THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON activities and prize giveaways related to the film.  Additionally, each tour stop will end with a talent Question & Answer forum open to the public and select cities will feature performances from artists on THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON soundtrack.  Fans who acquire VIP credentials on October 31^st will be granted access to a special event with select cast members at their respective malls.

For the chance to register and meet cast members of the highly anticipated feature film THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON, fans need to visit Hot Topic or select Nordstrom stores at 8:00am on October 31^st at one of the participating mall locations.^Æ They will be given access to return and meet select cast members at that same mall on the assigned scheduled date and time.  VIP credentials provided on October 31^st are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis to those who make qualifying purchases.  VIP credentials are non-transferable.

Visit Hot Topic (www.hottopic.com) and Nordstrom (www.nordstrom.com/newmoon) websites for more details on how to acquire VIP access to meet members of the cast along the tour which runs from November 6^th through November 19^th.  Exact cast members will be subject to availability and may vary from event to event.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON cast tour will visit the following mall locations:

November 6 – Hollywood & Highland Center (Los Angeles, CA) *

November 8 – Park Meadows (Denver, CO)

November 9 – Natick Collection (Boston, MA) *

November 9 –Mall Location TBD – Check hottopic.com for update (Chicago, IL) *

November 9 – Fair Oaks Mall (Washington, DC)

November 10 – Houston Galleria (Houston, TX)

November 11 – Mall of America (Minneapolis, MN) *

November 11 – Cherry Hill Mall (Philadelphia, PA) *

November 11 – Stonestown Galleria (San Francisco, CA)

November 12 – Mall of Georgia (Atlanta, GA)

November 12 – Westfield Southcenter (Seattle, WA) *

November 13 – Dadeland Mall (Miami, FL)

November 13 – Scottsdale Fashion Square (Phoenix, AZ)

November 14 – Fashion Place (Salt Lake City, UT) *

November 19 – Times Square (New York, NY)

*Denotes a performance by a band featured on THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON soundtrack.

For additional information please visit www.newmoon-themovie.com.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON directed by Chris Weitz and starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner will be released November 20, 2009.  In the film, the romance between mortal and vampire soars to a new level as Bella Swan (Stewart) delves deeper into the mysteries of the supernatural world she yearns to become part of—only to find herself in greater peril than ever before.  Following Edward Cullen’s (Pattinson) departure from Forks, Washington, Bella discovers his image comes to her whenever she puts herself in jeopardy.  In time Bella’s frozen heart is gradually thawed by her budding relationship with Jacob Black (Lautner) who has a supernatural secret of his own.

The action-packed, modern day vampire love story TWILIGHT, the first film in the series, was released in theatres on November 21, 2008 to a blockbuster reception.  The third film in the franchise, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE is due in theaters on June 30, 2010.

ABOUT SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT, LLC

Summit Entertainment, LLC is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures.  Summit Entertainment, LLC also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product.  Summit Entertainment, LLC plans to release 10 to 12 films annually.

ABOUT NORDSTROM, INC.

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading fashion specialty retailers, with 182 stores located in 28 states.  Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 112 full-line stores, 67 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques and one clearance store.  Nordstrom also serves customers through its online presence at www.nordstrom.com and through its catalogs.  Nordstrom, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.

ABOUT HOT TOPIC, INC.

Hot Topic, Inc. is a mall and web based specialty retailer operating the Hot Topic and Torrid concepts, as well as the e-space music discovery concept, ShockHound. Hot Topic offers music/pop culture-licensed and music/pop culture-influenced apparel, accessories, music and gift items for young men and women principally between the ages of 12 and 22. Torrid offers apparel, lingerie, shoes and accessories designed for various lifestyles for plus-size females principally between the ages of 15 and 29. ShockHound (www.shockhound.com) is a one-stop, genre-spanning music website where people of all ages can purchase MP3s and music merchandise, share their music interests and read music news and editorial content. As of October 3, 2009, the company operated 680 Hot Topic stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, 156 Torrid stores, and Internet stores www.hottopic.com, www.torrid.com and www.shockhound.com.