Lionsgate Music Names Tracy McKnight as Vice President, Film Music

SANTA MONICA, Calif. and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 1 /CNW/ -- Tracy McKnight has been named Vice President of Film Music for the music arm of Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), the leading next generation studio, it was announced today by Lionsgate Music President Jay Faires. The appointment, paired with the recent promotion of Russell Ziecker to head Lionsgate's television music operations, signals the Company's continued commitment to put experienced and talented executives in charge of the musical component of its upcoming film and television slates. McKnight will work on numerous major film projects for Lionsgate's feature film slate in her new role, including FIVE KILLERS, starring Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl, WARRIOR, starring Nick Nolte, and THE WINNING SEASON, with Sam Rockwell and Emma Roberts.

McKnight's diverse experience as a music supervisor, record producer and label co-founder has already earned her a respected place in the entertainment industry. MovieMaker Magazine called her one of 2006's "25 Coolest People to Know" in independent film. Her diverse film credits include such major studio films as THE EX, FRIENDS WITH MONEY and THE ICE HARVEST, acclaimed documentaries BORN INTO BROTHELS and MURDERBALL, and independent films such as COFFEE AND CIGARETTES and THE GUITAR. Prior to joining the Lionsgate Music team, McKnight co-founded Commotion Records with Walter Yetnikoff. Commotion's impressive slate of releases includes the acclaimed film soundtracks from HOTEL RWANDA, THE COOLER and MY ARCHITECT.

McKnight also recently completed work with SUPERBAD director Greg Mottola on ADVENTURELAND for Miramax, and with first-time director Sophie Barthes on COLD SOULS starring Paul Giamatti, Emily Watson and David Strathairn. In addition to her work as a supervisor, label head and now VP of Film Music at Lionsgate, McKnight continues to be an ally of the Sundance Institute/Festival, participating for the past 10 years in their Producers Conference and Composers Lab as an advisor, as well as co-programming the Festival's yearly "Music Meets Film" concert. She also advises for the Independent Film Project and has served on the host committee for the Gotham Awards.

"Nobody understands the combination of music and film better than Tracy," said Faires. "Lionsgate prides itself on producing and releasing some of the most original, distinctive and provocative films in the world. With Tracy coming aboard, we now have in place an executive who can add to the power of our upcoming film slate with equally fresh, dynamic and exciting music."

About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) is the leading next generation studio with a strong and diversified presence in the production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, video-on-demand and digitally delivered content. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury and an array of channel platform assets, including TV Guide Network in partnership with JPMorgan's One Equity Partners and Allen Shapiro, the Epix multiplatform channel expected to launch in October 2009 with partners Viacom and MGM, the FEARnet branded horror channel with partners Comcast and Sony, and the KIX and Thrill branded action and horror channels in Asia. Its feature film business achieved a number one box office opening weekend in September 2009 with the eighth film in the Tyler Perry franchise, I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF, with the sixth film in the SAW franchise opening in October 2009. The Company's home entertainment business has grown to more than 7% market share and leads the industry in its box office-to-DVD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 12,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

About Lionsgate Music
Lionsgate Music oversees music for Lionsgate's film and TV slate, builds the Company's music publishing assets and releases its soundtracks and scores. The music team has received two Oscar nominations for Marco Beltrami's score for 3:10 TO YUMA and for Bird York's song "In The Deep" for Best Picture Academy Award Winner CRASH. Current and upcoming projects include the soundtrack for PRECIOUS, to be released through Interscope Records and featuring a lead track from Mary J. Blige. PRECIOUS is directed by Lee Daniels (MONSTER'S BALL) and presented by Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry. The film has already attracted significant buzz, winning the Audience Award at this month's Toronto Film Festival in addition to winning the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Additional upcoming projects include the Jim Sheridan film BROTHERS, scheduled for release in December featuring music from U2, as well as music for such upcoming films as THE EXPENDABLES, starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham and Jet Li, FIVE KILLERS, starring Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher, KICK ASS, starring Nicolas Cage, and Academy Award winning director Paul Haggis' THE NEXT THREE DAYS, starring Russell Crowe. The Lionsgate Music team is also working on the Starz! television series Crash, featuring music from Paul McCartney and The Doors, the third season of AMC's Emmy-winning series Mad Men, scored by the critically lauded composer David Carbonara, and its live musical revue, Mad Men Live Revue, which premiered last fall to rave reviews at Los Angeles' El Rey Theatre, with more productions upcoming.

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