Ellis Entertainment

VISIONTV INTERNATIONAL TO ROLL OUT
150 HOURS OF NEW PRODUCTION AT MIPCOM

Start-up aims to provide one-stop shopping for faith-based entertainment

TORONTO, October 5 - VisionTV International (VTVI), the joint venture between VisionTV and Ellis Entertainment, will release its first distribution catalogue at MIPCOM, offering exclusive rights to 150 hours of original production comprising lifestyle, history, music, formats and documentary programming from leading Canadian independent producers.

"The multi-faith orientation of VisionTV in Canada presents a unique opportunity to assemble under one umbrella a body of works that put a fresh new spin on some of the standard TV genres," said Stephen Ellis, President of VTVI and Ellis Entertainment.

"The extensive outreach of veteran Ellis Releasing provides the fledgling VTVI brand of programming with a terrific kick-start on the world stage," said Bill Roberts, President and CEO of VisionTV.

Under the VisionTV International banner, buyers at MIPCOM will be introduced to a range of programming from genres that include Lifestyle; Music, Formats, Art & Literature; Documentary; History; and Contemporary Issues:

The End of Suburbia (1 x 78-minutes or 1 x one hour): An exploration of the American Way of Life and its prospects as the global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply. Can suburbia cope with skyrocketing energy prices? Will today's suburbs become the slums of tomorrow? An Electric Wallpaper Co. Production.

Soferet: A Special Scribe (1 x one hour): Aviel Barclay, a convert to Orthodox Judaism, is the first woman in the world to create a Torah scroll. Discover the ancient traditions, laws and training that go into this holy work, and the intense controversy sparked by Aviel's decision to become a ritual scribe. A Reel Time Images Inc. Production.

Prenup Challenge (6 x 30-minutes in HD): In the tropical paradise of Dominica, a team of relationship experts guides three engaged couples through a series of compatibility exercises, each one forcing these "nearly-weds" to ask themselves if they are truly ready to tie the knot. A Stonehenge Production.

Shrines and Homemade Holy Places (9 x 1 hour in HD): Stories of famous and not-so-famous public shrines, from Watts Towers in Los Angeles to the Foreverton in Baraboo, Wisconsin, along with the inspiring personal accounts of ordinary North Americans who have built magical places in their own homes. A Markham Street Films Production.

Seekers (6 x 30-minutes in HD): Five adventurous and inquiring individuals join host Ralph Benmergui on the spiritual road trip of a lifetime. Together they travel to spiritual hot spots all over North America and witness unique worship practices, from Tibetan meditation in Sedona, Arizona to Shamanistic healing in Cortes Island, B.C. An Indivisual Production.

Gospel Challenge (6 x one hour, plus a Christmas Special in HD): Participants live out the dream of becoming gospel singers. Three professional choir leaders have just one week each to turn a 16-member amateur choir into a harmonious ensemble and prepare for an all-or-nothing concert performance with a recording deal at stake. A Riddle Films Production.

Searching for Confucius (1 x one hour): He died believing that his life's work was in vain. But 2,500 years later his ideas still have enormous influence. Who was Confucius? What is his legacy? Novelist Wayson Choy goes on a quest to China in search of answers. A 4 Square Production.

End of Days (1 x hour): An investigation of the growing belief in the Apocalypse and redemption as set out in the Bible and as popularized in bestselling fiction such as Left Behind. Meet Christians and Jews who are coming together to prepare for the end of time. An Elsash Production.

Rumi - Turning Ecstatic (1 x hour): A docudrama inspired by one woman's life-changing encounter with the writings of Rumi, a 13th century Islamic mystic and poet and founder of Sufism, the religion of the whirling dervishes. A Visionary Media Inc. Production.
The VisionTV International catalogue is distributed worldwide by Ellis Releasing.

About VisionTV:
VisionTV, the only multi-faith and multi-cultural national television network in the world, is an independent broadcaster dedicated to presenting programs that celebrate diversity and promote understanding and tolerance among people of different faiths and cultures. VisionTV is available as a "basic" service on cable and satellite, and can be seen in 7.8 million Canadian households. VisionTV presents documentaries and current affairs series, along with movies, music, comedies, dramas and a wide variety of faith programs. The network has received numerous honors, including Gemini Awards, Gabriel certificates, the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews Human Rights Award, and the Hot Docs Awards.

About Ellis Entertainment:
Ellis Entertainment is one of the world's leading program providers in the global television marketplace. For over four decades, the company has been a leader in production and distribution for the world market, as well as an influential voice in the Canadian broadcasting system. Through its Ellis Vision production subsidiary, Ellis Entertainment is responsible for developing and producing high quality non-fiction and documentary programming that spans several genres including, nature, science, history and reality. Ellis Releasing, the company's distribution arm currently represents more than 300 hours of original programming produced or co-produced by Ellis Vision, as well over 1,000 hours of acquired programming. Recognized for the quality of its programming, the company has been honored with numerous awards and at film and television festivals.

About VisionTV International:
VisionTV International is a joint venture of Canada's multi-faith and multicultural broadcaster, VisionTV, and Ellis Entertainment, a leading producer and distributor of non-fiction programming on the international scene for over 40 years. The joint venture is currently in production and development on multiple projects that fulfill its mandate to produce and distribute insightful and thought provoking programming that appeals to a worldwide audience.





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		News VISIONTV INTERNATIONAL TO ROLL OUT 150 HOURS OF NEW PRODUCTION AT MIPCOM Start-up aims to provide one-stop shopping for faith-based entertainment TORONTO, October 5 - VisionTV International (VTVI), the joint venture between VisionTV and Ellis Entertainment, will release its first distribution catalogue at MIPCOM, offering exclusive rights to 150 hours of original production comprising lifestyle, history, music, formats and documentary programming from leading Canadian independent producers. "The multi-faith orientation of VisionTV in Canada presents a unique opportunity to assemble under one umbrella a body of works that put a fresh new spin on some of the standard TV genres," said Stephen Ellis, President of VTVI and Ellis Entertainment. "The extensive outreach of veteran Ellis Releasing provides the fledgling VTVI brand of programming with a terrific kick-start on the world stage," said Bill Roberts, President and CEO of VisionTV. Under the VisionTV International banner, buyers at MIPCOM will be introduced to a range of programming from genres that include Lifestyle; Music, Formats, Art & Literature; Documentary; History; and Contemporary Issues: *The End of Suburbia* (1 x 78-minutes or 1 x one hour): An exploration of the American Way of Life and its prospects as the global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply. Can suburbia cope with skyrocketing energy prices? Will today's suburbs become the slums of tomorrow? An Electric Wallpaper Co. Production. *Soferet: A Special Scribe* (1 x one hour): Aviel Barclay, a convert to Orthodox Judaism, is the first woman in the world to create a Torah scroll. Discover the ancient traditions, laws and training that go into this holy work, and the intense controversy sparked by Aviel's decision to become a ritual scribe. A Reel Time Images Inc. Production. *Prenup Challenge* (6 x 30-minutes in HD): In the tropical paradise of Dominica, a team of relationship experts guides three engaged couples through a series of compatibility exercises, each one forcing these "nearly-weds" to ask themselves if they are truly ready to tie the knot. A Stonehenge Production. *Shrines and Homemade Holy Places* (9 x 1 hour in HD): Stories of famous and not-so-famous public shrines, from Watts Towers in Los Angeles to the Foreverton in Baraboo, Wisconsin, along with the inspiring personal accounts of ordinary North Americans who have built magical places in their own homes. A Markham Street Films Production. *Seekers* (6 x 30-minutes in HD): Five adventurous and inquiring individuals join host Ralph Benmergui on the spiritual road trip of a lifetime. Together they travel to spiritual hot spots all over North America and witness unique worship practices, from Tibetan meditation in Sedona, Arizona to Shamanistic healing in Cortes Island, B.C. An Indivisual Production. *Gospel Challenge* (6 x one hour, plus a Christmas Special in HD): Participants live out the dream of becoming gospel singers. Three professional choir leaders have just one week each to turn a 16-member amateur choir into a harmonious ensemble and prepare for an all-or-nothing concert performance with a recording deal at stake. A Riddle Films Production. *Searching for Confucius* (1 x one hour): He died believing that his life's work was in vain. But 2,500 years later his ideas still have enormous influence. Who was Confucius? What is his legacy? Novelist Wayson Choy goes on a quest to China in search of answers. A 4 Square Production. *End of Days* (1 x hour): An investigation of the growing belief in the Apocalypse and redemption as set out in the Bible and as popularized in bestselling fiction such as Left Behind. Meet Christians and Jews who are coming together to prepare for the end of time. An Elsash Production. *Rumi - Turning Ecstatic* (1 x hour): A docudrama inspired by one woman's life-changing encounter with the writings of Rumi, a 13th century Islamic mystic and poet and founder of Sufism, the religion of the whirling dervishes. A Visionary Media Inc. Production. The VisionTV International catalogue is distributed worldwide by Ellis Releasing. About VisionTV: VisionTV, the only multi-faith and multi-cultural national television network in the world, is an independent broadcaster dedicated to presenting programs that celebrate diversity and promote understanding and tolerance among people of different faiths and cultures. VisionTV is available as a "basic" service on cable and satellite, and can be seen in 7.8 million Canadian households. VisionTV presents documentaries and current affairs series, along with movies, music, comedies, dramas and a wide variety of faith programs. The network has received numerous honors, including Gemini Awards, Gabriel certificates, the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews Human Rights Award, and the Hot Docs Awards. About Ellis Entertainment: Ellis Entertainment is one of the world's leading program providers in the global television marketplace. For over four decades, the company has been a leader in production and distribution for the world market, as well as an influential voice in the Canadian broadcasting system. Through its Ellis Vision production subsidiary, Ellis Entertainment is responsible for developing and producing high quality non-fiction and documentary programming that spans several genres including, nature, science, history and reality. Ellis Releasing, the company's distribution arm currently represents more than 300 hours of original programming produced or co-produced by Ellis Vision, as well over 1,000 hours of acquired programming. Recognized for the quality of its programming, the company has been honored with numerous awards and at film and television festivals. About VisionTV International: VisionTV International is a joint venture of Canada's multi-faith and multicultural broadcaster, VisionTV, and Ellis Entertainment, a leading producer and distributor of non-fiction programming on the international scene for over 40 years. The joint venture is currently in production and development on multiple projects that fulfill its mandate to produce and distribute insightful and thought provoking programming that appeals to a worldwide audience. Press Contact: Don Ciaramella The Lippin Group/NY 212-986-7080 don@lippingroup.com