Release
<div>SHOWTIME CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH</div>
New York, NY, August 26, 2003 -- SHOWTIME, which presents compelling and diverse programming throughout the year, will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15) with a number of programs that feature Latino themes and talent.
The network is especially proud to mark the directorial debut of Oscar® nominee Salma Hayek with its SHOWTIME Original Picture For All Ages THE MALDONADO MIRACLE, which was well received at the Sundance Film Festival and The Tribeca Film Festival. Additionally, SHOWTIME will bring the laughs Latino style with a blend of young talent and wily veterans who take a no-holds barred approach to comedy in THE ORIGINAL LATIN KINGS OF COMEDY. The network will also highlight the works of aspiring Latino filmmakers during its annual LATINO FILMMAKER SHOWCASE, for which the network has awarded one lucky filmmaker a $30,000 grant to make a short film that will premiere exclusively on SHOWTIME in the future.
THE MALDONADO MIRACLE
On Sunday, October 12 at 8:00 PM (ET/PT), Salma Hayek makes her directorial debut and serves as executive producer of the SHOWTIME Original Picture For All Ages THE MALDONADO MIRACLE. Filmed on-location in Utah, the film stars Peter Fonda ("Easy Rider"), Mare Winningham ("St. Elmo's Fire"), Rubèn Blades ("Gideon's Crossing") and Eddy Martin (the theatrical production "The 101 Dalmations Show" for Pacific Theaters). It is an Allegra Films production with the screenplay by Paul W. Cooper, based on the novel by Theodore Taylor. Eve Silverman and Susan Aronson ("A Matter of Conscience," "The Story of Mary Margaret") are the producers. The film is the story of a small, dying town whose residents' faith is tested when a statue of Jesus seems to be bleeding real tears of blood. The windfall from the blessed event thrills the residents, but the town's priest doubts the miracle, and the truth may lie with an 11-year-old Mexican boy who has taken refuge in the church.
On Sunday, October 12 at 8:00 PM (ET/PT), Salma Hayek makes her directorial debut and serves as executive producer of the SHOWTIME Original Picture For All Ages THE MALDONADO MIRACLE. Filmed on-location in Utah, the film stars Peter Fonda ("Easy Rider"), Mare Winningham ("St. Elmo's Fire"), Rubèn Blades ("Gideon's Crossing") and Eddy Martin (the theatrical production "The 101 Dalmations Show" for Pacific Theaters). It is an Allegra Films production with the screenplay by Paul W. Cooper, based on the novel by Theodore Taylor. Eve Silverman and Susan Aronson ("A Matter of Conscience," "The Story of Mary Margaret") are the producers. The film is the story of a small, dying town whose residents' faith is tested when a statue of Jesus seems to be bleeding real tears of blood. The windfall from the blessed event thrills the residents, but the town's priest doubts the miracle, and the truth may lie with an 11-year-old Mexican boy who has taken refuge in the church.
THE ORIGINAL LATIN KINGS OF COMEDY
Filmed during a live concert tour at a stop in El Paso, Texas, THE ORIGINAL LATIN KINGS OF COMEDY will premiere on SHOWTIME on SHOWTIME on September 15 at 8:00 PM (ET/PT). THE ORIGINAL LATIN KINGS OF COMEDY is primarily in English with some of the jokes delivered in Spanish. Directed by Jeb Brien, the comedy special is hosted by Cheech Marin (Cheech and Chong) and stars comedians George Lopez ("George Lopez" and the SHOWTIME Original Picture FIDEL) Paul Rodriguez (Tortilla Soup), Joey Medina (The Lost Empire) and Alex Reymundo (The Movement).
Filmed during a live concert tour at a stop in El Paso, Texas, THE ORIGINAL LATIN KINGS OF COMEDY will premiere on SHOWTIME on SHOWTIME on September 15 at 8:00 PM (ET/PT). THE ORIGINAL LATIN KINGS OF COMEDY is primarily in English with some of the jokes delivered in Spanish. Directed by Jeb Brien, the comedy special is hosted by Cheech Marin (Cheech and Chong) and stars comedians George Lopez ("George Lopez" and the SHOWTIME Original Picture FIDEL) Paul Rodriguez (Tortilla Soup), Joey Medina (The Lost Empire) and Alex Reymundo (The Movement).
LATINO FILMMAKER SHOWCASE
As part of a continuing commitment to develop and support up-and-coming Latino filmmakers, Showtime Networks Inc. will present its 4th annual LATINO FILMMAKER SHOWCASE on Monday, September 15 at 9:30 PM (ET/PT). This year, Showtime Networks joined forces with the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) for its LATINO FILMMAKER SHOWCASE. The Showtime Networks annual grant of $30,000 was awarded to George Valencia following his win in the Best Short Award at the festival for MOMENT TO MOMENT. In addition to Valencia's film, the Latino Filmmaker Showcase will also feature four additional films, which received finalist status including AN ASSIGNEMENT (directed by John A. Rangel), ONE, TWO, THREE (a film by Miguel Rueda), WHAT REALLY HAPPENED DURING THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS (directed by Charles McNamara and produced by Olga Arana) and FLIRTING WITH DEATH (a film by Matt Clements and Fernando Lebrija). The network will also be premiering VESPERTINE by Gustavo Mercado. VESPERTINE is the final product produced by Mercado in collaboration with SHOWTIME and the $30K he won from last year's SHOWCASE.
As part of a continuing commitment to develop and support up-and-coming Latino filmmakers, Showtime Networks Inc. will present its 4th annual LATINO FILMMAKER SHOWCASE on Monday, September 15 at 9:30 PM (ET/PT). This year, Showtime Networks joined forces with the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) for its LATINO FILMMAKER SHOWCASE. The Showtime Networks annual grant of $30,000 was awarded to George Valencia following his win in the Best Short Award at the festival for MOMENT TO MOMENT. In addition to Valencia's film, the Latino Filmmaker Showcase will also feature four additional films, which received finalist status including AN ASSIGNEMENT (directed by John A. Rangel), ONE, TWO, THREE (a film by Miguel Rueda), WHAT REALLY HAPPENED DURING THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS (directed by Charles McNamara and produced by Olga Arana) and FLIRTING WITH DEATH (a film by Matt Clements and Fernando Lebrija). The network will also be premiering VESPERTINE by Gustavo Mercado. VESPERTINE is the final product produced by Mercado in collaboration with SHOWTIME and the $30K he won from last year's SHOWCASE.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL" and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME® TOO", SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE® and TMC xtra. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HDTV®, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND". SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME® PPV. Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME EXTREME® is available in Spain through a joint venture with Media Park and the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.
