Press Releases

CSUN TO CONFER HONORARY DEGREE ON JIM BERK, DISTINGUISHED ENTERTAINMENT EXECUTIVE, EDUCATOR AND CIVIC LEADER

Northridge [ April 14, 2011 ]

California State University, Northridge will confer an honorary doctorate of fine arts on entertainment executive, educator, philanthropist and Northridge alumnus Jim Berk during the university’s commencement ceremonies next month.
 
Berk, CEO of Participant Media, the company responsible for such socially relevant films as “An Inconvenient Truth” and “Waiting for ‘Superman’,” will receive his degree Tuesday, May 24, during the commencement ceremony for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication.

PARTICIPANT MEDIA PRESENTS IPAD APP FOR Waiting for “Superman” SOCIAL ACTION CAMPAIGN

Beverly Hills [ March 15, 2011 ]

The team behind the compelling documentary Waiting for "Superman” releases “Super School,” an iPad application that serves as the social gaming companion to the film and makes it easy for anyone to get involved in the movement to improve America’s public school system.

Participant Media, Paramount Home Entertainment, Expanded Apps, and Libros Publishing Group announce the release of “Super School," an iPad application specifically created as an engagement tool for the Social Action Campaign for Waiting for "Superman.

Skoll Foundation Announces 2011 Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship: Four Winners Focus on Health, Water and Education

Palo Alto [ March 15, 2011 ]

The Skoll Foundation announced today the 2011 recipients of the Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship. Each year the Skoll Foundation chooses a select group of top social entrepreneurs and their organizations working around the world in the areas of tolerance and human rights, health, environmental sustainability, peace and security, and economic and social equity. Skoll Award recipients receive a three-year grant and join the growing global network of now 85 Skoll social entrepreneurs from 70 organizations who are tackling the world’s most pressing problems.

“Many of the most challenging problems we face access to clean water, effective and affordable healthcare, and literacy and education – are rooted in poverty.  But looking at our 2011 Skoll Award winners, I see great hope for the future,” said Sally Osberg, President and CEO of the Skoll Foundation. “The four social entrepreneurs we honor this year offer scalable, proven solutions to these truly daunting problems.”

IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SXSW PREMIERE OF THE BEAVER, PARTICIPANT MEDIA KICKS OFF SOCIAL ACTION CAMPAIGN WITH AUSTIN EVENTS CO-HOSTED BY TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS MARCH 17 AFTERNOON CELEBRATION WITH MUSICAL PERFORMANCES BY PEPPER RABBIT AND STEPHEN KELLOG

Austin [ March 14, 2011 ]

To coincide with the March 16th SXSW premiere of The Beaver, the Summit Entertainment/Participant Media presentation in association with Imagenation Abu Dhabi, Participant Media is launching its Social Action Campaign for the film with a series of events in Austin, Texas co-hosted by the organization To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA). As the film depicts the devastating effects of mental illness on one family, Participant designed the Social Action Campaign to provide audiences with tools, resources and opportunities to heal the pain of those suffering from mental illnesses and their families and friends.
“With the film having its world premiere at SXSW, we thought this would also be the perfect occasion to kick off our Social Action Campaign for The Beaver and our partnership with TWLOHA for a series of events and initiatives designed to take the serious issues illuminated in the film off the screen and into the community,” said John Schreiber, Participant’s EVP Social Action & Advocacy.

PARTICIPANT MEDIA TEAMS WITH CENTER FOR ECOLITERACY TO BRING FOOD, INC.-INSPIRED DISCUSSION GUIDE TO 3000 U.S. SCHOOLS

Beverly Hills [ March 9, 2011 ]

As part of the Social Action campaign for the award-winning 2009 documentary Food, Inc., Participant Media and the Center for Ecoliteracy have created an educational guide that will be distributed with DVDs of the film to approximately 3000 schools nationwide.  The 108-page Food, Inc. Discussion Guide provides a series of questions to facilitate thoughtful discussions for audiences high school age and older about the issues presented in the film, including animal welfare, workers’ rights, health, and sustainability. It also offers ideas for extending learning beyond the classroom.  The guide is currently available for download in both English and Spanish at http://foodincmovie.com/spread-the-word.php.

SUMMIT AND PARTICIPANT IN ASSOCIATION WITH IMAGENATION ACQUIRE FEATURE FILM RIGHTS TO THE NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE “DEEPWATER HORIZON’S FINAL HOUR”

Los Angeles [ March 8, 2011 ]

Film Provides Insight in to the Heroes of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Tragedy
in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010
 
Summit Entertainment and Participant Media, in association with Imagenation Abu Dhabi, have acquired the feature film rights to The New York Times article titled “Deepwater Horizon’s Final Hour” published December 25, 2010 written by David Barstow, David Rohde, and Stephanie Saul. A planned filmed adaptation of the article will depict the courage of those who worked on the oil rig and the final minutes leading up to the disaster that ultimately led to great devastation that will forever be remembered.
 

PARTICIPANT MEDIA’S SOCIAL ACTION CAMPAIGN FOR “WAITING FOR ‘SUPERMAN’” ENLISTS THOUSANDS ACROSS THE NATION TO HOST HOME VIEWING PARTIES OF NEWLY-RELEASED DVD

Hollywood [ February 25, 2011 ]

National Conference Call with Director Davis Guggenheim and Producer Lesley Chilcott to Support DVD House Party Kickoff

Continuing the momentum of the Social Action campaign begun during the theatrical release of director Davis Guggenheim’s landmark documentary Waiting for “Superman,” Participant Media is encouraging people to purchase the DVD or Blu-ray and join thousands of people across the United States gathering for home viewing parties.  The House Party initiative hopes to continue the discussions sparked by the award-winning film about public education and encourage people to get involved in helping to improve the nation’s educational system.  In addition to over 1,000 people across the country committing to hosting screenings in their homes, Participant has partnered with a number of groups, including United Way, STAND for Children, The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, America’s Promise and the U.S. Chamber to encourage screenings and discussions in communities nationwide.  It is anticipated that over 5,000 House Parties will be held by the end of May.

PARTICIPANT MEDIA TEAMS WITH ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS TO DISTRIBUTE CIRCUMSTANCE IN THE U.S.

Hollywood [ February 10, 2011 ]

Roadside Attractions will handle US distribution of Maryam Keshavarz's CIRCUMSTANCE, which Participant Media acquired at the Sundance Film Festival, it was announced today by Howard Cohen and Eric d'Arbeloff, Co-Presidents of Roadside Attractions, and Ricky Strauss, President of Participant Media. Winner of this year's Sundance Audience Award, the film is set in contemporary Iran, where a wealthy family struggles to contain a teenager's growing sexual rebellion and her brother's dangerous obsession. The film is targeted for a summer 2011 release.  In addition to making her directorial debut with CIRCUMSTANCE, Keshavaz produced the film with Karin Chien and Melissa M. Lee, with Christina Won serving as executive producer.  Roadside Attractions and Participant last partnered on the Academy Award-winning documentary THE COVE.

PARTICIPANT MEDIA ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO CIRCUMSTANCE, SUSPENSEFUL TALE OF FORBIDDEN LOVE SET IN TODAY'S IRANIAN YOUTH CULTURE, FROM FIRST TIME WRITER-DIRECTOR MARYAM KESHAVARZ

Park City [ January 24, 2011 ]

Participant Media has acquired North American rights to Circumstance, first time writer-director's Maryam Keshavarz's suspenseful tale of forbidden love set in today's Iranian youth culture, it was announced today by Ricky Strauss, President of Participant Media.  Participant is currently in discussions with several distributors for the film, which was produced by Keshavarz along with Karin Chien and Melissa M. Lee, with Christina Won serving as executive producer.

Magnolia Pictures and Participant Media Acquire US Rights to New York Times Documentary PAGE ONE

Park City [ January 24, 2011 ]

After all night negotiations at the Sundance Film Festival, the Wagner/Cuban Company's Magnolia Pictures and Participant Media announced today they have jointly acquired US rights to PAGE ONE, a fascinating new documentary that takes a behind-the-scenes look at a year at the New York Times. Directed by documentarian Andrew Rossi, the film was written and produced by Rossi and Kate Novack. Josh Braun, Adam Schlesinger and Alan Oxman were also Producers on the film, and Daniel Stern and Dan Pine served as Executive Producers. Magnolia and Participant are frequent collaborators, having worked together on such films as Food, INC, Casino Jack and Countdown to Zero.

WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” Critically-Acclaimed and Groundbreaking Film Debuts on Blu-ray™ and DVD February 15, 2011

Hollywood [ January 5, 2011 ]

Critically-Acclaimed and Groundbreaking Film Debuts on Blu-ray™ and DVD
February 15, 2011

Every Consumer Who Purchases the Blu-ray or DVD Will Be Rewarded With a $25 Credit to Donate to the Classroom Project of Their Choice at DonorsChoose.org

Academy Award®-winning director Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) delivers another provocative film experience with his compelling and inspirational examination of American public education in WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN”, arriving on Blu-ray and DVD February 15, 2011 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Named the Best Documentary of the year by the National Board of Review, and cited by the American Film Institute as one of the year’s best movies, WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” was called “an electrifying call to action” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone), and has launched a movement to achieve real and lasting change in the nation’s schools.  The film depicts the moving and poignant struggles of real-life students and their families and the efforts of educators and reformers who are working to find viable solutions within a dysfunctional system.  A stirring, must-see clarion call that has left audiences inspired and motivated to make a difference, WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN”  is truly “a powerful, passionate, revolution-inducing documentary” (Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly).

"WAITING FOR 'SUPERMAN'" TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK REWARDS TEACHERS WITH SPECIAL MOVIE TICKET OFFER

Hollywood [ November 15, 2010 ]

Paramount Pictures, Participant Media and Walden Media are proud to announce WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" Teacher Appreciation Week, acknowledging the special role teachers play in our society, teachers can receive a special movie ticket offer for the critically acclaimed documentary film.
 
For a limited time, teachers who present their credential when purchasing a WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" movie ticket at participating theater box offices around the country will get in at a reduced rate. This ticket is good for any one single published show time at participating theaters. The special offer is valid from Monday, November 15, 2010 through Thursday, November 18, 2010.  Prices and participation may vary.

ROBIN HOOD TEAMS UP WITH “SUPERMAN” ROBIN HOOD JOINS PARTICIPANT MEDIA IN SOCIAL ACTION CAMPAIGN TO BRING WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” TO THOUSANDS OF NEW YORKERS FREE OF CHARGE

Los Angeles [ October 28, 2010 ]

The Robin Hood Foundation has teamed up with Participant Media’s Social Action Campaign for WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” by underwriting a ticket giveaway program that is allowing a variety of New Yorkers from underserved neighborhoods in Manhattan, the Bronx and Brooklyn to see the film. 
The landmark documentary has sparked a vital conversation on the current state of public education in the United States.  The program’s goal is to spread awareness by providing 50,000 New Yorkers tickets to see WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” at no charge.  

PARTICIPANT MEDIA AND THE WHITE HOUSE PROJECT HOST FAIR GAME SUMMIT UNITING WOMEN LEADERS AROUND NUCLEAR SECURITY

Washington, D.C. [ October 19, 2010 ]

Valerie Plame Wilson joins leading experts on nuclear weapons from government and advocacy groups for two-day training

WAITING FOR ‘SUPERMAN’ BOOK IS #3 ON THE NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER LIST

Los Angeles [ October 12, 2010 ]

Companion Book Is Part of Participant Media's Social Action Campaign for Davis Guggenheim's Highly-Acclaimed Documentary

Every Copy Includes $15 DonorsChoose.org Gift Card to Benefit Classroom Projects

Waiting for "Superman": How We Can Save America's Failing Schools (PublicAffairs, 9/14)–the companion book to the highly-acclaimed documentary—is already #3 on The New York Times Best Seller list for paperback "Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous" titles. An inspiring call for reform that includes special chapters that provide resources, ideas, and hands-on suggestions for improving our nation's schools, each copy of the book includes a $15 DonorsChoose.org gift card that can be applied towards any of hundreds of classroom projects.

Jim Berk, Participant Media CEO said, "The fact that the Waiting for ‘Superman’ book has achieved best-seller status is a clear indication that audiences have been inspired by the film's themes to go even further and engage with Participant's Social Action Campaign, where we take the film off the screen into other media platforms and local communities offering opportunities to take action.   And the DonorsChoose.org gift card makes it possible for purchasers to pass along the amount they spend on the book to a project for a classroom in need."
 

NewSchools Venture Fund Announces $5 Million Investment in Entrepreneurial Organizations as 150,000 People Pledge to See “Waiting For ‘Superman’”

San Francisc0 [ October 11, 2010 ]

Honoring a pledge to the viewers of “Waiting for ‘Superman,’” national nonprofit venture philanthropy firm NewSchools Venture Fund announced today that it will invest $5 million in innovative education organizations to help close achievement gaps in low-income communities. 



More Awards and Nominations for The Help

Participant Media [ December 13, 2011 ]

Houston Film Critics Society has nominated the film in the categories of Best Picture, Best Actress (Viola Davis), Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain & Octavia Spencer) and Best Original Song (“The Living Proof”); the winners in each category will be announced this Tuesday, 12/13.

Houston Film Critics Society included the film as one of the top 10 films of 2011.

Los Angeles Film Critics Association named Jessica Chastain Best Supporting Actress (for her work in The Help and her other 2011 films).

“THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL” TO BEGIN PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Los Angeles [ October 6, 2010 ]

John Madden to direct all star cast with Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy and Dev Patel

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mayor Kevin Johnson Host Special Sacramento Screening of “Waiting for 'Superman'” and Panel on Public Education in California on Tuesday, October 5

Hollywood [ October 5, 2010 ]

Event Kicks Off Participant Media’s Social Action Campaign State Capital Tour, With Support From
 The Walton Family Foundation, The Broad Foundation and the Doris & Donald Fisher Fund

Participant Media will launch a series of state capital events for the Social Action Campaign for “Waiting for ‘Superman’” with a Sacramento screening and one-hour panel on education reform hosted by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mayor Kevin Johnson. The Sacramento event is also part of Mayor Johnson's Stand-Up education initiative, whose goal is to establish and support high-quality schools in Sacramento.
 
DC Chancellor of Public Schools Michelle Rhee, who appears in the highly-acclaimed documentary, will attend the event, which will take place Tuesday October 5th at Century Stadium 14 at 5:15 PM.

“WAITING FOR ‘SUPERMAN’” MOVIEGOERS AND DONORSCHOOSE.ORG GIVE BACK TO MORE THAN 30,000 STUDENTS

Hollywood [ September 30, 2010 ]

DonorsChoose.org has partnered with Paramount Pictures, Participant Media and Walden Media to offer a $15 DonorsChoose.org gift card to each moviegoer who purchases a ticket for WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN.” The  $15 gift code can be used on the DonorsChoose.org site, where moviegoers can give back to a classroom project of their choice.  Since the film’s limited release on September 24th, more than 30,000 students across the country have benefited from this program.
 

Available at the box office, as well as to those who purchase advanced tickets online at Fandango.com and Movietickets.com, the gift cards can be used to fulfill requests made by public school teachers from every corner of America who post classroom project needs on DonorsChoose.org. The mission of DonorsChoose.org is to improve public education by empowering every teacher to be a change-maker and enabling any citizen to be a philanthropist.