JOSH HUTCHERSON TO RECEIVE “CINEMACON® BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMER OF THE YEAR AWARD”

LIONSGATE RELEASED “THE HUNGER GAMES” ON
MARCH 23, 2012

WASHINGTON D.C. (March 27, 2012) – Josh Hutcherson will receive the “CinemaCon Breakthrough Performer of the Year Award,” it was announced today by CinemaCon’s managing director, Mitch Neuhauser. CinemaCon, the official convention of The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), the largest and most important gathering of cinema owners and operators from around the world, will be held April 23 – 26, 2012 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Hutcherson will be presented with this special honor at the “CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards” ceremony to take place on Thursday evening, April 26, in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The Coca-Cola Company, the official presenting sponsor of CinemaCon, will host the final night gala awards program.

“With an already impressive resume of films under his belt, Hutcherson is one of the most accomplished young actors of his time,” noted Neuhauser. “With the release of ‘The Hunger Games,’ Hutcherson is poised to take the movie world by storm, and we could not be more excited to present such a talented young actor with the ‘CinemaCon Breakthrough Performer of the Year Award.’”

Hutcherson can currently be seen in what has been one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, “The Hunger Games,” which took in an astounding $152.5 million opening weekend at the box office. Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Hutcherson stars as Peeta Mellark, who along with 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), must represent District 12 as “tributes.” Mentored by drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), they along with the other tributes must fight one another until one survivor remains. The film also stars Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci and Elizabeth Banks.

Earlier this year, Hutcherson starred in “Journey 2: Mysterious Island,” and he can be seen later this year in the upcoming “Red Dawn,” “Detention” and “Seven Days in Havana.” Additional film credits include “The Kids Are All Right,” “The Vampire’s Assistant,” “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” “Bridge to Terabithia” and “The Polar Express,” among many others.

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon will attract upwards of 5,000 motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry – from exhibition and distribution, to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the moviegoing experience and the cinema industry. From exclusive Hollywood product presentations highlighting a slate of upcoming films, to must-see premiere feature screenings, to the biggest stars, producers and directors, CinemaCon will help jumpstart the excitement and buzz that surrounds the summer season at the box office. CinemaCon 2012 will be held from April 23-26, 2012 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. In returning to Caesars Palace, CinemaCon is able to offer its delegates a modern and upscale conference facility and a one-of-a-kind moviegoing experience in The Colosseum, the 4,200 seat theatre and crown jewel of Caesars Palace.

CinemaCon is delighted to have both the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its tradeshow partners. Cinemacon is also delighted to have as its official presenting sponsor, The Coca-Cola Company, one of the industry’s greatest and highly regarded and respected partners in the world of the movies. Additional information on CinemaCon, the Official Convention of NATO, can be found at www.cinemacon.com.

About NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 30,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and additional cinemas in 50 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world and hundreds of independent theatre owners, too.

Media Contacts:

Heather Lewandoski
Rogers & Cowan
310.854.8147
hlewandoski@rogersandcowan.com

Jessica Erskine
Rogers & Cowan
310.854.8129
jerskine@rogersandcowan.com