SEPTEMBER’S SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: ASHOK AMRITRAJ
Chairman and CEO - Hyde Park Entertainment

As Chairman and CEO of Hyde Park Entertainment, Ashok Amritraj produced the box office smash BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, starring Steve Martin and Academy Award-nominee Queen Latifah, and is regarded as one of the most successful producers working in Hollywood today.

During the span of his 25-year career, having produced or executive produced over 90 films with a worldwide gross in excess of $1 billion, Amritraj has worked with every major Studio in Hollywood. The stars who have worked with Amritraj include Bruce Willis, Steve Martin, Queen Latifah, Sylvester Stallone, Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Dustin Hoffman, Steve Martin, Antonio Banderas, The Rock, Kate Hudson, Kurt Russell, etc…

Currently in release through Sony is Amritraj’s thriller PREMONITION, starring Sandra Bullock and Julian McMahon, which has been a box office hit. The action film, DEATH SENTENCE, directed by James Wan (SAW) and starring Kevin Bacon, Kelly Preston and John Goodman, released by 20th Century Fox is scheduled for release on August 31, 2007. Other upcoming releases include the horror/thriller ASYLUM, directed by David Ellis (SNAKES ON A PLANE, FINAL DESTINATION 2) and starring Sarah Roemer (DISTURBIA), to be released by MGM.

Starting principal photography this fall are STREET FIGHTER, based on the extremely popular video game and t be released by 20th Century Fox, and THE OTHER END OF THE LINE, the cross-cultural romantic comedy to be released by MGM.

Amritraj’s recent releases include DREAMER, starring Kurt Russell and Dakota Fanning through Dreamworks SKG, which opened in the number 2 spot at the U.S. box office, and SHOPGIRL starring Steve Martin and Claire Danes through The Walt Disney Company, which opened to rave reviews. Additionally, Amritraj enjoyed a successful box office with the Kate Hudson feature RAISING HELEN, which was directed by Hollywood legend Garry Marshall and WALKING TALL, which starred The Rock.

Amritraj has grown Hyde Park Entertainment into a cutting-edge option to the traditional Hollywood studio system for filmmakers by making it one of the few progressive independent companies that encompasses most elements of a full-fledged studio. The Company is capable of developing, producing and financing projects as well as handling their international sales and marketing. Hyde Park Entertainment has a first look deal with 20th Century Fox, and a second look deal with The Walt Disney Studios.

Through The Walt Disney Studios, Amritraj released the critically acclaimed drama/romance MOONLIGHT MILE, directed by Brad Silberling, starring Academy Award winners Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon and Holly Hunter. Through MGM, Amritraj also produced ORIGINAL SIN starring Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas and the Golden Globe nominated BANDITS, directed by Barry Levinson starring Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton and Cate Blanchett.

In 2005, the Indian International Film Academy presented Amritraj with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2004 Amritraj received the Producer of Vision Award from the Hollywood community and the prestigious Pride Of India Award from the American India Foundation.

Amritraj served on the Foreign Film Board of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, was a member of Los Angeles Board for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the International Council for the Emmy Awards.