December 10, 2002 (Toronto) – The 23rd Annual Genie Nomination Press Conference kicked off its second consecutive year at Astral Television Networks in BCE Place with the unveiling of the 2003 Genies trailer created by The Movie Network producer Matt Waddell and Astral Television Network’s Creative Director, Heather Senst.  With a total of 23 nominated feature films, The Movie Network, Astral Media The Harold Greenberg Fund, and Montreal-based Super Écran proudly supported 19 feature film projects through script development, production equity or pre-buys, including all five nominees for Best Picture: ARARAT, BOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD, QUÉBEC-MONTRÉAL, RARE BIRDS, and SUDDENLY NAKED.

Other Astral Media supported films include: ALMOST AMERICA, BETWEEN STRANGERS, LE COLLECTIONNEUR, FLOWER & GARNET, HISTOIRE DE PEN, KHALED, LE MARAIS, MEN WITH BROOMS, LA MYSTERIEUSE MADEMOISELLE C., PERFECT PIE, RED GREEN’S DUCT TAPE FOREVER, SAINT MONICA, SAVAGE MESSIAH, and TURNING PAIGE.

SAVAGE MESSIAH, a MUSE Entertainment / Indian Grove production garnered seven nominations, second only to ARARAT, is an original movie made for The Movie Network.  SAVAGE MESSIAH premiered earlier this year and is scheduled for an encore presentation on Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 9:45pm/ET on M4.  TURNING PAIGE premieres on Friday, January 3, 2003 at 7:05pm/ET and RARE BIRDS premieres on Sunday, January 12 at 9:00pm/ET both on MFEST. 

The Movie Network’s ‘@ The Movies’ on-air host , Teri Hart will be hosting the Awards pre-show for her third consecutive year on Thursday, February 13 when all the winners of the 23rd Annual Genies Awards will be announced.

The Movie Network is an Astral Television Network owned and operated by Astral Media. The Movie Network is Eastern Canada's charismatic guide to the best in premier cinematic entertainment airing English-language blockbusters, exclusive series, original programming, and one-of-a-kind special presentations on five 24-hour pay-television multiplex channels. The Movie Network is the exclusive Eastern Canadian cable broadcaster of HBO programming. For more information visit www.themovienetwork.ca.

Astral Media’s Harold Greenberg Fund/Le Fonds Astral Media Harold Greenberg, named for Astral Media’s founding president, is a national funding agency established by The Movie Network and Astral Media to promote the creation of quality Canadian movies.  The English-language programs sponsored by The Movie Network and Viewer's Choice, offers story optioning and feature-film script development loans and equity investment for feature film and family television productions. The French-language programs, sponsored by Canal Indigo and Astral Media, offer equity investment for the production of feature films, documentaries, special events and music programs, as well as grants for music videoclips.

Super Écran is North America’s only French-language pay-television network offering movies, exclusive series, boxing, and variety shows on four 24-hour channels.  Super Écran is Quebec’s unique destination for the best in movie entertainment and specials, bringing a uniquely rich and engaging point of view to every presentation. Super Écran is an Astral Media pay television network.

Astral Media is a leading Canadian media company active in specialty, pay and pay-per-view television, radio, outdoor advertising and e-business. The shares of Astral Media Inc. trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols: ACM.A/ACM.B.

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For more information or interview opportunities, please contact:
Bonnie Brownlee – bbrownlee@tv.astral.com / 416-956-8558
Grace Park – gpark@tv.astral.com / 416-956-8638