Chris Blackwell & David Koh Announce Inaugural ''Goldeneye Film Festival''; Exclusive Film Festival & Retreat December 8-13, 2004, in Oracabessa Bay, Jamaica

Business Wire, Oct 6, 2004

NEW YORK -- The first-ever Goldeneye Film Festival, announced today by Palm Pictures' Chris Blackwell and David Koh, is scheduled to take place December 8-13, 2004, at Blackwell's Island Outpost property, Goldeneye, located in Oracabessa Bay, Jamaica. The inaugural hybrid gathering will serve as an exclusive film festival, retreat, conference, and musical celebration event.

At the Goldeneye Festival's VIP conference on Saturday, December 11, 2004, a panel of top entertainment visionaries will deliver presentations on today's most interesting developments in film, music, media and convergence. Festival attendees will also enjoy private guided tours of the ReggaeXplosion Museum; Firefly, the former home of British Playwright Noel Coward; and the personalized services of Blackwell's recently refurbished Goldeneye property.

The six-day Festival will feature more than 150 films mostly on the DVD format with screenings at the Cove Cinemas, and films shown on an outdoor screen mounted in Jamaica's tranquil ocean waters. Among the Festival's eclectic thematic programming will include: a retrospective of Jamaican films; a James Bond & 007 retrospective; a history of Hong Kong cinema; a Bruce Lee retrospective; a Bob Marley retrospective; a special screening and panel discussion focusing on the film "The Harder They Come" by Perry Henzel; three programs featuring best-of surveys of music films, midnight movies, and documentaries, titled "Music Driven," "Midnight Specials" and "Doc Mix," respectively; a program titled "Arthouse Films" which will feature a best-of survey of documentaries and films on fine artists; and a number of special sneak previews to be announced in upcoming weeks prior to the event.

"It's a perfect time and location to launch this new Festival. I love the fact that the majority of the films are on DVD," said Mr. Blackwell. "Goldeneye and Jamaica are among my favorite places. I want to do all I can to help promote filmmaking and the arts in Jamaica by providing an environment dedicated to enriching creativity. I'm proud to establish the Goldeneye Festival as a celebration of creative arts, culture, knowledge and entertainment."

"It's a privilege to work with Chris on this new and truly unique venture," stated Mr. Koh. "Imagine visiting this extraordinary Jamaican location, with access to all of these incredible movies. However guests chose to participate, by attending the festival's public screenings or private in-room screening on the DVD format, all will come away with incredibly rich viewing experiences. We're creating Goldeneye as a Festival to be enjoyed on the attendees' own terms in the most unique Jamaican setting -- a place to relax, rejuvenate, recuperate, and be inspired."

Goldeneye is the flagship property of Blackwell's Island Outpost boutique hotel chain and the former home of Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond and one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Goldeneye is a magical sliver of Jamaica's North Shore, where Fleming wrote all of the James Bond novels, situated between sea cliffs and forests, framing an emerald lagoon with secluded coves. Blackwell is currently in development of the first stage expansion of the Goldeneye property, which will commence in early 2005, embracing 100 acres of seaside property with private homes, villas, and cottages that will soon be available for purchase.

The Goldeneye Film Festival promises exclusive invitation-only VIP attendance. Festival Co-Founders are Chris Blackwell and David Koh, with Koh also serving as the Festival's Artistic Director. Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment, Jose Martinez Jr. of Arthouse Films, and Winnie Lau of Fortissimo Films are also involved in the project. Festival partners will be announced shortly. Additional information about the Festival is available at www.goldeneyefilmfestival.com and www.islandoutpost.com. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact 212-320-3678.

Chris Blackwell is the founder of Island Records, Island Pictures, Island Outpost, and Palm Pictures and was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is credited with having discovered and worked with a legion of artists including Steve Winwood, Bob Marley, U2, Cat Stevens, Roxy Music, B52s, Melissa Etheridge, The Cranberries, Nick Drake, Tom Waits, Marianne Faithfull, among countless others.

David Koh is currently Head of Acquisitions & Production for Blackwell's Palm Pictures and Arthouse Films, an independent film and music company based in New York, London and Los Angeles. Palm releases 15-20 records, 8-12 theatrical releases and more than 30 DVDs annually.