“ZIGGY’S GIFT” – DVD Fun for the Whole Family

Cleveland, OH – (Sept. 12, 2005) – Ziggy is coming to DVD in his first-ever feature film. The loveable little man is offering his always-optimistic-attitude for a heartfelt holiday story that is destined to be a holiday classic! BFS Entertainment & Multimedia Limited brings “Ziggy’s Gift” nationwide this Fall, just in time for the holiday season.

Created by Tom Wilson in 1971, Ziggy is the classic character seen by 75 million readers on the comic pages of more than 600 daily and Sunday newspapers around the world. Now, Ziggy is jumping off the comic pages to spread his good and pure demeanor in a video special.

Ziggy brings his comfortable and comforting self to life in a classically animated, hand-drawn feature, a somewhat unusual style in today’s modern computer graphic generated era. Ziggy’s Gift (MRSP $12.98 in US and $14.98 in Canada) promises to be a traditional way to celebrate the holidays every year.

Tom Wilson, Ziggy artist and president of Ziggy and Friends, explains. “I can’t think of a better way to have Ziggy entertain families at home than through a holiday special like Ziggy’s Gift. The joy and spirit of the holiday season corresponds perfectly with Ziggy’s personality. The DVD, like Ziggy, is a timeless, classic.”

Wilson brings Ziggy to the screen with help from a collection of veteran animators whose works include Roger Rabbit, Pocahontas, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pink Panther, Beauty and the Beast, and Shrek.

Now Ziggy will be available for everyone to own. In the new DVD, Ziggy makes his acting debut to rave reviews. Ziggy’s Gift is directed by Richard Williams and produced by Lena Tabori, Richard Williams, and Wilson. The master animation team of Richard Williams (Roger Rabbit, Pink Panther), Eric Goldberg (Pocahontas, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast), and Tom Sito (The Lion King, Pocahontas, Shrek) earned the Emmy Award for Animation for its one and only TV broadcast. The special’s original music is by Grammy Award winners Harry Nilsson, who wrote the lyrics and music, and Perry Botkin, who scored the music and conducted the pieces.

“This DVD is the answer for any shopper looking for just the right combination of humor, warmth, and thoughtfulness,” Wilson said. “Ziggy’s arrival on store shelves is sure to delight young and old, as once again he transcends the words between people and communicates feelings. It’s the perfect gift for children, a special friend, or loved one.”

Denis Donnelly, CEO of BFS Entertainment, said, “Ziggy, over the last 35 years, has become one of those coveted characters that achieved American icon status. We could not be more excited about releasing this Emmy award-winning title for new and existing generations of Ziggy fans."

Ziggy and Friends, Inc., together with Universal Press Syndicate and licensing agent, Moxie & Co., signed BFS Entertainment to distribute the DVD, which contains special extras.

- MORE -
ZIGGY’S GIFT
Ziggy’s Gift is 25 minutes of over 139,000 frames, 30,000 hand-painted cels, and 180 background cels. The feature is created and written by Tom Wilson, directed by Richard Williams, and produced by Lena Tabori, Richard Williams, and Wilson. The Executive Producer is Lena Tabori. Master Animators are Richard Williams, Eric Goldberg, and Tom Sito. Original music is by Grammy winners Harry Nilsson (lyrics and music) and Perry Botkin (scored and conducted).

ABOUT BFS ENTERTAINMENT & MULTIMEDIA LIMITED:
Based in Toronto, Canada, BFS Entertainment & Multimedia Limited is a recognized independent manufacturer and distributor of home videos throughout North America. The company sells its products through various channels, including retailers, distributors, mail order houses, and the Internet. BFS titles can be classified into several categories including, classic dramas, mysteries, comedy, sports, and factual programs. Titles are sold under the BFS Video and American Home Treasures labels. Programs are licensed from independent production companies including the BBC, Granada, Channel 4, Discovery Channel, and CBC.

ABOUT ZIGGY
Ziggy was created by Tom Wilson in 1971. Wilson created Ziggy & Friends, Inc. as the company that provides the artistic and creative force behind his kind and charismatic comic character creation. For the past 17 years, Tom Wilson II has been drawing the daily Ziggy comic panel, the Sunday Ziggy comic strip, and authoring the collection of Ziggy books, in conjunction with his father's creative influence in the company. Though retired from the day-to-day operation of drawing Ziggy & Friends, the senior Wilson's creative influence, humor and wisdom is ongoing and very apparent in Ziggy comics.

The Ziggy comic panel, syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate, appears weekday and Sundays in more than 600 newspapers nationwide. Ziggy is the official SpokesCharacter for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society helping to raise awareness and funds for research and care. Ziggy also supports the end to World Hunger with special edition comic panels and use of his image on awareness posters for the Annual World Food Day (this year, October 16, 2005).

This Fall, Andrews McMeel Universal Publishing will introduce the latest Ziggy book, Ziggy’s Gift: A Holiday Collection. It will be the newest in the line of Ziggy books and collectible literature, including last year’s best-seller, Character Matters, and his other books, Ziggy Goes Hollywood, The Zen of Ziggy, Ziggy's Friends for Life, a 30th Anniversary Tribute to Zig from All of His Friends, The Ziggy Treasury Collection (1977), and the four-part series of collectible mini books: Ziggy’s Little Book of Friendship, Ziggy’s Little Book of Heart Thoughts to Cheer You, Ziggy’s Little Wish Book for Someone Special, and Ziggy’s Little Wish Book for Your Birthday.
###

For Ziggy’s Gift DVD Sales Information, Contact:
Ari Kopmar, VP Sales & Marketing, BFS Entertainment & Multimedia Limited
T: 905.884.2323 ext 452, E-Mail: akopmar@bfsent.com

For Other Licensing Information, Contact:
Sarah DeCoursey, Universal Press Syndicate
T: 816-932-6733; E-Mail: sdecoursey@amuniversal.com