ELIZABETH BANKS TO RECEIVE “CINEMACON® AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ACTING”

LIONSGATE TO RELEASE “THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE” ON 22 NOVEMBER, 2013

WASHINGTON D.C. (4 April, 2013) – Elizabeth Banks will receive the “CinemaCon® Award For Excellence In Acting” at this year’s CinemaCon, it was announced today by the convention’s Managing Director Mitch Neuhauser. CinemaCon, the largest and most important convention for the motion picture theatre industry, will be held from 15-18 April, 2013 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas at which time more than 5,000 industry members will be gathering. Banks will be presented with this special honor at the “CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards” ceremony to take place on Thursday evening, 18 April, in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The Coca-Cola Company, the official presenting sponsor of CinemaCon, will host the final night gala awards program.

“One of Hollywood’s most versatile actresses, Elizabeth Banks has captured moviegoing audiences’ attention across the globe with her spot-on portrayals of a diverse array of characters,” noted Neuhauser. “From First Lady Laura Bush in ‘W.,’ to an emotionally charged pregnant woman in ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting,’ to the highly fashionable and eccentric Capitol Escort Effie Trinket in ‘The Hunger Games,’ Banks embraces each role unlike no other actress out there. We are thrilled to be able to honor her this year with the ‘CinemaCon Award for Excellence in Acting.’”

Banks will reprise her highly anticipated role as Effie Trinket later this fall in the Lionsgate release “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” coming to theatres on 22 November. The film begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour” of the districts. Along the way, Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.

With a graduate degree from the American Conservatory Theater, Banks has graced the stage, small screen and big screen. On the big screen, she can be seen in such diverse films as “Pitch Perfect,” “The Hunger Games,” “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” “People Like Us,” “Our Idiot Brother,” “W.,” “Zack and Miri Make A Porno,” “Seabiscuit” and “Catch Me If You Can,” to name a few. On the small screen, Banks is a two-time Emmy Award nominee for ‘Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series’ for her performance as ‘Avery Jessup’ on “30 Rock.” She has also appeared on “Modern Family” and in a recurring role on “Scrubs.” Her extensive theater credits include many roles in American Conservatory Theater productions as well as the Guthrie Theater’s production of “Summer & Smoke.” In 2006, Banks played Cherie, the female lead in William Inge’s comedy “Bus Stop,” as part of the Williamstown Theater Festival.

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 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 57 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