LIONSGATE ANNOUNCES "THE WONDER CERTIFIED KIND CLASSROOM" EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE

Program is Inspired By Wonder, the Heartwarming Film to be released on November 17^th, based on R.J. Palacio's Worldwide Bestseller

Lionsgate Teaming With Co-Producer Walden Media, Random House Children's Books, and GapKids on Unique Educational Outreach Program for Grades 3 – 6

SANTA MONICA, Calif., and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) today announced the launch of the educational initiative THE WONDER CERTIFIED KIND CLASSROOM. The program is inspired by R.J. Palacio's worldwide bestselling children's novel and Lionsgate's upcoming film Wonder, starring Academy Award® winner Julia Roberts, Jacob Tremblay and Owen Wilson, slated for release on November 17^th. Wonder tells the heartwarming story of Auggie Pullman, a boy born with facial differences who can't blend in because he was born to stand out. 

In an extension of the program created by Random House Children's Books, Lionsgate has partnered with Walden Media and GapKids to bolster year's initiative as a core pillar of the film's "Choose Kind" awareness campaign. The WONDER CERTIFIED KIND CLASSROOM initiative will focus on bringing acts of kindness, acceptance and inclusion to life for third to sixth grade students. Serving as a resource for educators, the distributed materials will embrace themes of empathy as part of a year-long lesson plan through curated challenges, including art projects, group discussions and class unity activities. Eligible teachers may visit www.wonderkindclassroom.com to register their classrooms.

"Teachers have embraced Wonder's message to 'choose kind' in such a big and powerful way, by making it a rallying cry against bullying, social isolation, and the petty meanness that sometimes passes for normal in our day-to-day lives," said Wonder author R.J. Palacio. "It has been a joy to watch classrooms spreading kindness, and I am honored to be a part of a program that will help champion and reward that message to schools across the country."

"With the book and its 'choose kind' message having organically found its way into the classroom already, we were inspired to embrace the opportunity to further encourage dialogue and celebrate kindness in a fun and engaging way for teachers and students," said Lionsgate Executive Vice President of Global Franchise Management & Strategic Partnerships Kerry Phelan. "While serving as a cornerstone of our marketing campaign for the film, we are hopeful that the Certified Kind Classroom program brings Wonder's central themes of acceptance and inclusion to real life in meaningful and tangible ways."

Participating classrooms will be rewarded throughout the year for their acts of kindness and, once activities have been completed, ultimately earn the accreditation of being a "Certified Kind Classroom." Lionsgate will team with Wonder's co-producer Walden Media, the book's publishing company Random House Children's Books, and clothing retailer GapKids on these challenges and prizes, including:

• A T-Shirt Design Contest with 8-winning designs to be produced and sold in select North America GapKids stores and online. Proceeds will benefit charities myFace and Children's Craniofacial Association, two non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting children with craniofacial conditions. Eligible classrooms must enter the contest by September 15, 2017 to qualify.
• A Precept Discussion Sweepstakes with the chance for four hundred classrooms to win an exclusive screening of Wonder ahead of its November 17th release including a live-broadcast Q&A session with talent and filmmakers hosted by GapKids. In addition, the Q&A will be made available worldwide via Facebook Live. Eligible classrooms must enter the sweepstakes by October 2, 2017.
• A Fill-A-Jar With Kindness Challenge featuring the opportunity to win a charitable donation to an organization of a winning classroom's choosing and additional prizes. Eligible classrooms must enter for the chance to win by April 1, 2018.

The WONDER CERTIFIED KIND CLASSROOM will run through April 1, 2018. No purchase is necessary and eligible schools must be located in the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. For more information on eligibility requirements, official rules, prize descriptions and disclosure, please visit http://wonderkindclassroom.com. 

ABOUT LIONSGATE

The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global content platform whose films, television series, digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation audiences around the world.  In addition to its filmed entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, gaming, virtual reality and other new entertainment technologies.  Lionsgate's content initiatives are backed by a 16,000-title film and television library and delivered through a global licensing infrastructure.  The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring and ground-breaking content created with special emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the Company's worldwide consumer base.  

ABOUT GAPKIDS

Gap is one of the world's most iconic apparel and accessories brands and the authority on American casual style. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, Gap's collections are designed to build the foundation of modern wardrobes – all things denim, classic white shirts, khakis and must-have trends. Beginning with the first international store in London in 1987, Gap continues to connect with customers online and across the brand's about 1,700 company-operated and franchise retail locations around the world. Gap includes Women's and Men's apparel and accessories, GapKids, babyGap, GapMaternity, GapBody and GapFit collections. The brand also serves value-conscious customers with exclusively-designed collections for Gap Outlet and Gap Factory Stores. Gap is the namesake brand for leading global specialty retailer, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) which includes Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta, Intermix and Weddington Way. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.

ABOUT RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Random House Children's Books is the world's largest English-language children's trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, ebooks, and apps, the imprints of Random House Children's Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. The company's website, Kids @ Random (www.randomhousekids.com) offers an array of activities, games, and resources for children, teens, parents, and educators. Random House Children's Books is a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company.

ABOUT WALDEN MEDIA

Walden Media specializes in entertainment for the whole family, creating movies, books and television series that spark the imagination and delight all generations. A subsidiary of the Anschutz Film Group, Walden Media movies include adaptations of notable books, compelling biographies and thrilling accounts of historical events. The company's films are entertaining and commercial, while also telling stories that are inspirational, aspirational and explorational. Past award-winning films include: "The Chronicles of Narnia" franchise, the "Journey to the Center of the Earth" franchise, "Nim's Island," "Charlotte's Web," "Bridge to Terabithia," "Holes," "Amazing Grace," and the Sundance Audience Prize Winning documentary "Waiting for 'Superman.'"

For more information, please contact:

Cristina Castañeda
Lionsgate
CCastaneda@lionsgate.com
(310) 255-5114

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SOURCE Lionsgate