Video pre-orders from major retail accounts have already doubled the company's initial shipment forecasts, and indicate a strong commercial appeal for the film.

``This is the proverbial 'wait until DVD' title,'' said Eric Parkinson, CEO of Distribution for Empire. ``We heavily promoted the film's theatrical release, and there was already tremendous awareness for the title from its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and massive national publicity. Now that it's being released to DVD and Blu-Ray, the film is finally positioned to reach the large audience it deserves.''

The film was released theatrically in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago commencing September 19th and played in 22 additional markets over a 13-week theatrical engagement. Key national film critics were unanimous in their praise for the performance of then 12-year-old Dakota Fanning, and the film was included in the New York Observer's list of top movies for 2008, as announced today.

``'Hounddog' was the highest profile, most talked-about independent film release of 2008,'' said Dean Hamilton-Bornstein, CEO of Empire Film Group, Inc. ``We are pleased that the retail marketplace is strongly supporting the DVD and Blu-Ray release, and that millions of people will have the opportunity to see this important film.''

``Hounddog'' was written and directed by Deborah Kampmeier, and produced by Kampmeier, Jen Gatien and Scott Franklin, who also produced the acclaimed independent release, ``The Wrestler,'' starring Mickey Rourke. It is the first of six high-profile releases from Empire Film Group, Inc., an emerging new independent producer and distributor for the USA market.

For more information, go to: www.EmpireFilmGroup.com