TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 14, 2015) - Cineplex Entertainment ("Cineplex") (TSX:CGX) today announced that on Saturday, October 24 movie-lovers across Canada can join in a morning of free movies at their local Cineplex theatre - all for a good cause. Now in its fifth year, Cineplex's 'Community Day' treats guests to a selection of great family-friendly movies with all proceeds from donations and concession sales supporting Free The Children, its national charity partner.
"Last year the 125,000 Canadians that came to our theatres on Community Day helped us to raise over $530,000 in one morning and I hope that this year we'll raise even more," said Ellis Jacob, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cineplex Entertainment. "We know that great movies can inspire change so we invite Canadians to join us in supporting Free The Children to empower youth across our country and around the globe."
This year's Community Day film line-up includes Despicable Me 2, Fast & Furious 6, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, Pitch Perfect, Hop and Dumb and Dumber To. Movie-lovers in attendance can enjoy a morning of free movies and select concessions like coffee, popcorn, soft drinks and select candy items will be priced at $2.00 each. Cineplex will also be selling exclusive mini-Rafiki friendship bracelets for $2.00 each, with all proceeds from the day benefiting Free The Children.
"Community Day is a wonderful way for families across Canada to spark conversations about getting involved in making positive change in their communities," said Marc Kielburger, co-founder of Free The Children. "We are proud to partner with Cineplex on initiatives that bring families together, and empower young Canadians by giving them the tools to create transformative change and fuel their passion for making a difference."
On the morning of October 24, nearly all of Cineplex's theatres across Canada will open their doors to guests, but seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis only. Movies will begin at 9:00 AM, with all locations returning to regular programming in the afternoon. Films are being shown in French and English depending upon the market, so guests are encouraged to visit Cineplex.com/CommunityDay or a list of participating theatres, showtimes and available languages.
Cineplex Entertainment has raised over $1,700,000 for Canadian charities since hosting its first Community Day five years ago. The company thanks its corporate employees and theatre cast members who volunteer their time as well as Universal Pictures, Mars Canada, Wrigley Canada and Deluxe for providing movies, product or services to make Community Day a reality.
The money raised at Community Day will support Free The Children's domestic programs including leadership opportunities and WE Schools, a yearlong program that challenges young people to identify issues that spark their passion and then empowers them to take action. It will also support WE Day, a celebration of youth making a difference in their local and global communities.
Supporters can also join the #CommunityDay conversation online with Cineplex Entertainment on Facebook (Facebook.com/Cineplex), Twitter (@CineplexMovies) or Instagram (@CineplexMovies).
About Cineplex Inc.
Cineplex Inc. ("Cineplex") is one of Canada's leading entertainment companies and operates one of the most modern and fully digitized motion picture theatre circuits in the world. A top-tier Canadian brand, Cineplex operates numerous businesses including theatrical exhibition, food services, gaming, alternative programming (Front Row Centre Events), Cineplex Media, Cineplex Digital Solutions, Cineplex Digital Networks, and the online sale of home entertainment content through CineplexStore.com and on apps embedded in various electronic devices. Cineplex is also a joint venture partner in SCENE - Canada's largest entertainment loyalty program.
Cineplex is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, and operates 162 theatres with 1,652 screens from coast to coast, serving approximately 74 million guests annually through the following theatre brands: Cineplex Odeon, SilverCity, Galaxy Cinemas, Colossus, Coliseum, Scotiabank Theatres, Cineplex Cinemas, Cineplex VIP Cinemas, Famous Players and Cinema City. Cineplex also owns and operates the UltraAVX, Poptopia, and Outtakes brands. Cineplex trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CGX. More information is available at Cineplex.com.
About Free The Children
Free The Children is an international charity and educational partner. Founded in 1995 by international activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children believes in a world where young people are free to achieve their fullest potential, and empowers youth to remove barriers that prevent them from being active local and global citizens. The organization's domestic programs - which include We Day, Free The Children's signature youth empowerment event - educate, engage and empower 2.3 million youth across North America and United Kingdom to become engaged global citizens. Its international projects are implemented through a holistic and sustainable development model called Adopt a Village. Currently, Adopt a Village supports community development in eight countries; Kenya, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Ecuador, Haiti, Nicaragua, rural China and India.
Together with partner communities, Free The Children has built more than 1,000 schools and school rooms around the world, empowering more than 200,000 children with an education, and provided clean water, and sanitation programs and facilities to 1 million people around the world, freeing children and their families from the cycle of poverty.
The organization has received the World's Children's Prize for the Right of the Child, the Human Rights Award from the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, and has formed successful partnerships with leading school boards and Oprah's Angel Network. For more information, visit www.freethechildren.com.