Regent Releasing Acquires North American Rights to Comedy Feature The Hottie and the Nottie

Business Wire, Oct 30, 2007

Paris Hilton, Joel David Moore, and Christine Lakin Co-Star in Romantic Comedy from Hadeel Reda's Purple Pictures

LOS ANGELES -- Regent Releasing is pleased to announce that it has acquired North American distribution rights to the romantic comedy The Hottie and the Nottie. The film is scheduled for a Valentine's Day release on February 8th, 2008 and will play in theaters nationwide. Hadeel Reda's Purple Pictures developed and produced the film. The Hottie and the Nottie stars Paris Hilton, Joel David Moore, and Christine Lakin and is directed by Tom Putnam.

"We are thrilled to be working with Hadeel and her company, Purple Pictures, in bringing this unique romantic comedy to theaters nationwide," said Paul Colichman and Stephen P. Jarchow, co-founders of Regent Releasing. "Audiences are going to be delightfully surprised by The Hottie and the Nottie. This is a terrific film; wickedly funny. It is the first in a new and diverse slate of projects that Regent plans to release over the coming months."

"Regent's seasoned background in the theatrical marketplace combined with their innovative marketing strategy make them a perfect match for this film," said Hadeel Reda, President of Purple Pictures. "I am delighted to collaborate with them on this release." Reda's production credits include Warner Brothers' 16 Blocks and MGM's Heartbreakers. Purple Pictures currently has a slate of high concept projects including Harv the Barbarian and Jack vs. Future Jack. Reda was previously President of Winchester Films.

Written by Heidi Ferrer, The Hottie and the Nottie is a comedy with heart centering on a "perfect 10" woman, Cristabel Abbott (Hilton); her less fortunate best friend, June Phigg (Lakin); and the guy who gets in the middle. Having pined for Cristabel since the first grade, twentysomething Nate Cooper (Moore) must find a boyfriend for the less-than-beautiful June before he will have a shot at landing the girl of his dreams.

Credited producers include Myles Nestel, Victoria Nevinny and Neal Ramer and Paris Hilton and Hans Syz as Executive producers.

In addition to North American rights, Regent Releasing has also secured distribution for Central America, the Caribbean and Greenland. Stephen P. Jarchow and Hadeel Reda negotiated the deal on behalf of Regent Releasing and Purple Pictures, respectively. Jon Shiffman negotiated the deal on behalf of Media Rights Capital.

Regent Worldwide Sales will be selling the above rights for the film at the upcoming American Film Market, which runs from October 31 through November 7, 2007, in Santa Monica, Calif. For more information about The Hottie and the Nottie, please visit the Regent Worldwide Sales' AFM office located in Suite #834-836 of the Loews Santa Monica.

About Regent Releasing

Regent Releasing was founded by Paul Colichman and Stephen P. Jarchow, acclaimed film producers and founders and principals of the Los Angeles-based studio Regent Entertainment, a 21st century, independent, multi-platformed studio which utilizes its affiliates, including Regent Studios, Regent Releasing, here! Networks and GayWired Media, to finance, produce and distribute award-winning and profitable theatrical and television content. As one of the premiere independent distribution companies worldwide, Regent Releasing has provided its discerning audience with a wide array of powerful and thought-provoking titles including The Hunting of the President, concerning the right-wing agenda to destroy Bill Clinton; Callas Forever, a stunning fictionalized account of the last days of opera singer Maria Callas and her relationship with manager Larry Kelly; the Spanish comedy Queens, featuring some of the first ladies of Spanish cinema; and Aurora Borealis, starring Donald Sutherland, Joshua Jackson, and Juliette Lewis. Recently released titles include the Sundance Film Festival Award winner Stephanie Daley, starring Tilda Swinton, Amber Tamblyn, and Timothy Hutton; and ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway, an entertaining look behind Broadway's curtain from filmmaker Dori Berinstein. For more information on Regent titles, please visit www.regentreleasing.com.

About Purple Pictures

Purple Pictures was founded by Hadeel Reda to develop, finance and produce mainstream motion pictures. Reda's production credits include Warner Brothers' 16 Blocks and MGM's Heartbreakers. Purple Pictures currently has a slate of high concept projects including Harv the Barbarian and Jack vs. Future Jack. Reda was previously President of Winchester Films. Purple Pictures is headquartered in Santa Monica with offices in Zurich.