Los Angeles, CA, April 4, 2016 – “Be Here Now” (The Andy Whitfield Story) and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) announced today their collaboration to spread awareness about the urgent need to find cures and ensure access to treatments for blood cancer patients. This news is timed to the U.S. theatrical release of this award winning feature documentary, about star, Andy Whitfield, of "Spartacus" TV fame, and his inspiring journey to heal from a cancer diagnosis. Be Here Now Productions begins releasing the film theatrically on April 8 in conjunction with Silver Lining Entertainment, the cinema on-demand distribution platform Tugg, and sponsor Grand Prix Cafe. LLS joins the film's collaborator, the Cancer Support Community (CSC) and Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C).
LLS has invested more than $1 billion in research to advance lifesaving treatments and cures for blood cancers, and is the leading source of free blood cancer information, education and support for patients, survivors, families and healthcare professionals.
Through its alliance with LLS, fans and supporters of “Be Here Now” (The Andy Whitfield Story) are encouraged to call upon LLS as a resource for the latest research and advances in treatments and cures for blood cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which Whitfield was diagnosed with. Through LLS’s national network of chapters, film screenings will be hosted via Tugg’s distribution platform as a way to raise funds and generate awareness for the LLS mission.
“We are pleased to collaborate on the release of the documentary "Be Here Now" (The Andy Whitfield Story), which beautifully portrays the personal story of Andy Whitfield and his family following his non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis,” said Mark Roithmayr, LLS chief relationship officer. “Thanks to research, survival rates for patients with many blood cancers have doubled, tripled and even quadrupled since the early 1960s. Despite these advances, about one third of patients with a blood cancer still do not survive, which is why funding is needed to bring better therapies to patients faster.”
"We are honored to be working with LLS to release "Be Here Now" (The Andy Whitfield Story). This collaboration helps us complete the film’s mission to fulfill Andy's wishes: that by so generously sharing his personal story, he might help and inspire all of us faced with challenges to make the most of our lives, and make an impact on the disease,” said Academy Award® nominated filmmaker Lilibet Foster. “Unfortunately, almost everyone is touched by cancer. Producer Sam Maydew and I are thrilled to have LLS involved to raise awareness and funds for their important work in blood cancer research and patient support.”
“Be Here Now" (The Andy Whitfield Story) is an inspiring love story between star, Andy Whitfield, of "Spartacus" TV fame, and his charismatic wife Vashti, who together take on the most heroic role he’s ever had to play. They generously trusted Oscar® nominee, Lilibet Foster, to follow them on their quest to heal Andy from a cancer diagnosis, in this Los Angeles Film Festival Audience Award winning film, in the hope that by sharing their journey, they might help to inspire others with challenges and dreams. It's their courage, humor and love that reminds the audience that the journey is more important than the destination.
Started by a crowd-funding campaign, which became the third most successful documentary in Kickstarter history, the film has more than 2.6 million viewers of its videos and followers across social media, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tugg, who they pay tribute to, in a surprise at the end of the film. “Be Here Now" (The Andy Whitfield Story) is directed and produced by Lilibet Foster and produced by Sam Maydew. The film features Andy Whitfield (actor), Vashti Whitfield (Andy’s wife), Jai Courtney (actor and Andy’s best friend) and additional cast members from the television series “Spartacus” and “Spartacus: Blood and Sand.”
The film is being released by Be Here Now Productions with Silver Lining Entertainment, the support of cutting-edge distributor, Tugg, the sponsorship of classic car and motorcycle company, Grand Prix Café and the engagement of impact producers, Counterpoint Films.
To learn more about the film, reserve tickets, and host a Tugg screening: www.BeHereNowFilm.com
To learn more about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: www.lls.org
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About Be Here Now Productions
Be Here Now Productions is the producing and releasing company behind "Be Here Now" (The Andy Whitfield Story), partnered by Producer, Sam Maydew and Director and Producer, Lilibet Foster.
About Silver Lining Entertainment
Silver Lining Entertainment is a full service production/management company, started by longtime partners, Sam Maydew and Jeff Golenberg.
About Tugg
Tugg, Inc. (“Tugg”) is a platform that enables individuals, content owners, and brands to turn their passion for movies into action by choosing the films that play in their local theaters and community venues. These individually curated events showcase Tugg’s growing library of over 1,800 studio and independent films. Users choose the film, date, time, and location for their screening, and then spread the word to their immediate and online community. For additional information visit http://www.tugg.com.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
Media Contact: “Be Here Now” (The Andy Whitfield Story)
Jenny Bloom
Prodigy Public Relations
310-857-2020 x131
jb@prodigypublicrelations.com
Media Contact: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Linda Heaney
linda.heaney@lls.org
914-821-8208
Media Contact: Tugg Paul Pflug & Hans-Dieter Kopal
paul@pcommgroup.com / hans@pcommgroup.com
323-658-1555