WELL, IT’S NOT THE AVN AWARD HE WAS HOPING FOR, BUT THIS IS NICE, TOO

ENCINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 23, 2004 -- Filmmaker Kevin Smith will be presented with the first-ever DVD Visionary Award during the Opening Session at the Video Software Dealers Association's (VSDA) Home Entertainment 2004, organizers of the show announced today. The Opening Session will take place at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, July 14 at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Kevin Smith is the ideal first recipient of this award because he understands what it is like to be a film lover," said VSDA President Bo Andersen. "In addition to creating works that reflect his deeper understanding of the complexities of work, relationships, religion, and family, Smith exhibits his commitment to his fans by creating some of the best supplemental materials available on DVD. His commentary and extra footage is full of humorous anecdotes and allows the viewer to have a closer look at the filmmaking process."

Kevin Smith's entrance to the independent film community began with his 1994 release of "Clerks." Financed by the sale of his personal comic book collection and loans from friends and family, "Clerks" was met with critical acclaim and awarded the Filmmaker's Trophy at Sundance, the Prix de la Jeunesse and the International Critic's Week Award at Cannes. The ten-year anniversary version of the film, "Clerks X," will be an exclusive Miramax Collectors Series 3-disc DVD set that will include the original theatrical version, an extended Sundance cut, and a new documentary. "Clerks X" will be released in stores on September 7, 2004.

Smith's second film, "Mallrats," was panned by critics and did not fare well in theaters but went on to be extremely successful on home video. Critics and audiences warmly received his third project, "Chasing Amy." "Dogma," a faith-based comedy, generated a great deal of controversy due to its pragmatic approach to religion, but thrived despite pressure from religious groups. With the aptly titled "Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back," Smith wrapped up his five-film "Jersey Trilogy" and headed for more grown-up territory with the March 2004 release of "Jersey Girl." The Miramax film stars longtime Smith collaborators Ben Affleck and George Carlin, as well as Jennifer Lopez and Liv Tyler. "Jersey Girl" will be available on home video September 14, 2004.

Smith has even made a name for himself in cyberspace, establishing two widely popular websites, www.viewaskew.com and www.moviepoopshoot.com. Both are common bookmarks among film lovers. Although Smith relinquished his prized comic book collection to get his start in filmmaking, Smith's successes have allowed him to open his own comic book store, Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, in downtown Red Bank, New Jersey. Graphic novels are not only sources of inspiration but also viable projects as he has written for the seminal superheroes Spider-Man, Green Arrow, and Black Cat. Smith is currently working on the big screen adaptation of the comic book and television superhero The Green Hornet.

For more information on the Home Entertainment Event, visit http://www.homeentertainmentevents.com. To register, you can go online or call 888-778-8892. All Access badges are $345 for VSDA members and $395 for non-members prior to June 30 cut-off date. Exhibits and Conference badges are $95 for VSDA members and $145 for non-members prior to June 30. After June 30, All Access badges are $425 for VSDA members and $475 for non-members and Exhibits and Conferences badges are $125 for VSDA members and $175 for non-members. All Access badges provide entry to sponsored events, the opening ceremony, seminars, exhibit suites, and exhibit floor. Exhibits and Conferences badges provide entry to the seminars, exhibit suites, and the exhibit floor only.

Companies interested in exhibiting may contact Home Entertainment Events' Kimbirly Orr at kkorr@HEEteam.com (mainstream companies) or Janet Gibson at jgibson@HEEteam.com (adult companies).

VSDA's Home Entertainment 2004, the Home Entertainment Retail Expo, and the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo are organized through Home Entertainment Events, in which the Video Software Dealers Association is a partner. For more information about Home Entertainment Events and its shows, please send an e-mail to info@heeteam.com.

Established in 1981, the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) is the not-for-profit international trade association for the $22 billion home entertainment industry. VSDA represents more than 1,200 companies throughout the United States, Canada, and a dozen other countries. Its members operate more than 12,500 retail outlets in the U.S. that sell and/or rent DVDs, VHS cassettes, and console video games. Membership comprises the full spectrum of video retailers (from single-store operators to large chains), video distributors, the home video divisions of major and independent motion picture studios, and other related businesses that constitute and support the home video entertainment industry.

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