RLJ ENTERTAINMENT AND URBAN MOVIE CHANNEL PRESENT BLACKBIRD

Available on VOD and Digital July 28

Coming to Blu-ray and DVD August 4

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  “A heartfelt coming-of-age story” – EBONY Magazine

“…the movie is sure to spark a lively post-film conversation” – Shadow and Act/Indiewire

“The film evokes a lovely spirit in every capacity, from its performances to its look to Polk’s lyrical direction”—Houston Chronicle

LOS ANGELES, CA//JULY 21, 2015//BLACKBIRD, the provocative film acquired by RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE) will be available on VOD and Digital on July 28, 2015 and Blu-ray and DVD on August 4, 2015.

BLACKBIRD (www.blackbirdthemovie.com) tells the story of seventeen-year-old Randy (Julian Walker), a devout Christian who is hiding a secret inner struggle - the denial of being gay. Since his father (Isaiah Washington) left, Randy takes care of his emotionally disturbed mother (Mo’Nique) and is the kind of friend all of his classmates can depend on. It is not until he opens himself up to love that he discovers that becoming a man means accepting who you really are. 

Based on the same title novel by Larry Duplechan, the film, which released in theaters in April, is directed by Patrik-Ian Polk (Noah’s Arc, The Skinny). The film stars Academy Award® winning actress and comedian Mo'Nique (Precious),Isaiah Washington (Grey’s Anatomy, Blue Caprice, The 100), Terrell Tilford(Single Ladies, Guiding Light), D. Woods (MTV’s Danity Kane), Gary L. Gray(The Cosby Show, Bring It On: All Or Nothing), Torrey Laamar, Kevin Allesee, Nikki Jane and introduces breakthrough actor Julian Walker.

Creating an emotional rollercoaster ride for viewers, this incredibly talented cast portrays the difficult journey into acceptance and love.  The film is executive produced by Sidney Hicks and Mo’Nique Hicks and produced by Keith Brown, Patrik-Ian Polk, Carol Ann Shine and Isaiah Washington. 

The Blu-ray and DVD includes never-before seen special features, including deleted scenes, audition footage, a behind the scenes featurette, and special music video by cast member, D. Woods.

View DVD Images: https://flic.kr/s/aHskg1MTHn

Watch Movie Trailer: https://youtu.be/U3KEVWeHPg8

Blackbird

Director: Patrik-Ian Polk

Distributor: RLJ Entertainment

Release Date: August 4, 2015

DVD Cat#:  TSB00243DVD

DVD UPC:  0014381002430

Blu-ray Cat#:  TSB00271BD

Blu-ray UPC:  0014381002713

Rating: R

Year: 2014

Runtime: 99 Minutes

#WeAreBlackbird  #BlackbirdDVD

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ABOUT RLJ ENTERTAINMENT - RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) is a premier independent owner, developer, licensee, and distributor of entertainment content and programming in primarily North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia. RLJE is a leader in numerous genres including feature films and urban with distinct content via its owned and distributed brands such as Acorn (British TV), Acacia (fitness), Athena (documentaries), and Madacy (gift sets). These titles are distributed in multiple formats including broadcast television (including satellite and cable), theatrical and non-theatrical, DVD, Blu-Ray, digital download, and digital streaming. Through Acorn Productions, its UK production arm, RLJE owns all rights to the hit UK mystery series Foyle’s War and is developing new programs. RLJE owns 64% of Agatha Christie Limited, which manages the intellectual property and publishing rights to some of the greatest works of mystery fiction, including stories of the iconic sleuths Miss Marple and Poirot.

RLJE leverages its management experience to acquire, distribute and monetize existing and original content for its many distribution channels, including its branded digital subscription channels, Acorn TV, AcaciaTV, and UMC - Urban Movie Channel, and engages distinct audiences with programming that appeals directly to their unique viewing interests. Through its proprietary e-commerce web sites and print catalogs for the Acorn and Acacia brands, RLJE has direct contacts and billing relationships with millions of consumers. For more information, please visitwww.RLJEntertainment.com.

ABOUT UMC - URBAN MOVIE CHANNEL

UMC - Urban Movie Channel (urbanmoviechannel.com) launched in November 2014.  UMC is a premium subscription-based streaming service exclusive to RLJ Entertainment, Inc. and it is devoted to the acquisition of feature films, comedy specials, stage plays, documentaries, music, and entertainment for African American and urban audiences, with plans to move into future development and production. New titles are added weekly in addition to the more than 150 titles in our UMC library, which include live stand-up performances featuring Academy Award ® winner Jamie Foxx and comedic rock star Kevin Hart; documentaries Dark Girls and I Ain’t Scared of You: A Tribute to Bernie Mac; feature films All Things Fall Apart starring Grammy Award ® winner 50 Cent and directed by Mario Van Peebles, The Last Fall starring budding superstars Lance Gross and Nicole Beharie, and The Colony starring Laurence Fishburne; and stage play productions including What My Husband Doesn’t Know by David E. Talbert, who is described by Variety as “the acknowledged kingpin of urban musicals.” UMC is available on the Roku platform and subscribers can access UMC from their tablet, phone and laptop to watch movies from today’s most recognizable talent available on demand and commercial-free. Please visitwww.urbanmoviechannel.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jamillah Rahmaad

LIQUID SOUL Agency on behalf of RLJ Entertainment/UMC

770-623-0670

Jamillah@GoLiquidSoul.com

Nicole Garner Scott

LIQUID SOUL Agency on behalf of RLJ Entertainment/UMC

770-256-1800

Nicole@GoLiquidSoul.com