HALLMARK MOVIE CHANNEL TO SPOTLIGHT STUDENT FILMS THROUGH NEW COLLABORATION WITH NYU'S TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

Alec Baldwin Among Prestigious Panel of Judges

Sponsorship Opportunities Available to Advertisers

Hallmark Movie Channel has formed a partnership with the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film & TV of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts to showcase short films from talented student and alumni filmmakers. This is the first effort of its kind for the all-family-movie network, which aims to celebrate the human spirit through movies. Actor Alec Baldwin ("30 Rock"), an alumnus of Tisch, is the first to be confirmed among an esteemed panel of judges who will determine which films meet the criteria to air nationally on the network.

The films will begin airing in October under the branded banner of "Film Positive." They can also be viewed online at www.hallmarkmoviechannel.com. Sponsorship opportunities are available to advertisers to attach their brands to this project.

"This alliance provides a unique opportunity for young up-and-coming filmmakers to showcase their work on a national platform, and serves as a layer of added educational value for NYU's film students," said Henry Schleiff, President and Chief Executive Officer, Crown Media. "The project also expands Hallmark Movie Channel's visibility in the filmmaking community and establishes the channel as an outlet for collaborative and creative expression."

"We are excited to partner with Hallmark Movie Channel in this unique new showcasing opportunity for our filmmakers," said Mary Schmidt Campbell, dean of the Tisch School of the Arts. "Films need audiences and this venture is important not only as a venue for our student's work but for the national exposure it provides. We extend our thanks to Hallmark as well as to Henry Schleiff at Crown Media for choosing the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television."

Hallmark Movie Channel will launch the block with four new student films. The films will each run between three and 20 minutes in length and air in various timeslots and day parts.

Each short student film will meet certain brand-defining criteria in order to qualify for inclusion on the Hallmark Movie Channel schedule. The films will be judged on their production value, their inspirational and celebratory themes, storytelling qualities and, above all, be appropriate for the entire family.

Hallmark Movie Channel, the second linear channel from Crown Media U.S., simulcast in SD (Standard Definition) and HD (High Definition), is a 24-hour cable network dedicated to bringing viewers the greatest family movies of all time with a mix of classic theatrical films, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library, original Hallmark Channel movies and special events. In today's crowded television landscape, the network is a unique and captivating entertainment experience, providing programming that families can watch together, and is now available in nearly 16 million homes. Crown Media also operates Hallmark Channel which provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming to a national audience of 86 million subscribers. For more information on Hallmark Movie Channel, please visit www.hallmarkmoviechannel.com.