"THE 12 DOGS OF CHRISTMAS" - FILM BASED ON YOUNG AUTHOR'S
BEST-SELLING CHILDREN'S BOOK MAKES DVD SALES HISTORY!

Feature includes well-known cast with the help of over 100 dogs and 75 kids

LOS ANGELES – Two years into it’s DVD release of "The 12 Dogs of Christmas" has made DVD history by selling over a half a million copies. This is unheard of from a small independent film with no studio backing. Sales in 2007 are expected to equal or exceed this as word-of-mouth continues to sell this live-action, full-length family movie.

When the now 17-year-old Emma Kragen came up with the story of "The 12 Dogs of Christmas" at age 7, an idea originally written on the back of a restaurant placemat, she had no idea that her story would became a book published by Tommy Nelson Inc. and sell over half a million copies. In 2005 Emma's tale got new "legs" via a movie starring a cast of very accomplished actors and an Academy Award winning director. Once again beginning November 1st of 2007 "The 12 Dogs of Christmas" DVD will be available in stores. It is being distributed by Screen Media in all US and Canadian markets except Wal*Mart stores which are handled thru Anderson Merchandising of Amarillo, Texas. Porchlight Entertainment is distributing the film overseas.

This year there’s also a new version of the “12 Dogs” story with the publishing by Tommy Nelson of the novelization of the movie written by Steven Paul Levia. The136 page book fills out the story that Levia originally created from Emma Kragen’s original concept. It’s a perfect gift for grade school children.

Included in the movie cast are Mindy Sterling, famous for her role as Frau Farbissina in the Austin Powers trilogy, John Billingsley (ABC's "The Nine" & Dr. Flox of "Star Trek: Enterprise"), Bonita Friedericy ("The Nine";"Christmas With The Kranks"), Adam Hicks ("How to Eat Fried Worms"), Eric Lutes ("Caroline In The City"), Richard Riehle ("Beethoven's 5th"), Susan Wood ("The Jamie Foxx Show"; "Excessive Force") and introduces Jordan-Claire Green ("School Of Rock"). The movie was written and directed by Academy Award winner Kieth Merrill, and produced by Ken Kragen, Daenen Merrill, and "Napoleon Dynamite" producer, Sean Covel.

The live action film, shot in Bethel, Maine, tells the story of a 12-year-old girl during the depression of the 1930's, who is sent to live with her aunt in a small town where dogs are banned. She joins the people and pooches of the town in a war with the Mayor and town dog-catcher, and through plot twists and adventurous chases, succeeds in bringing everyone together through a spectacular finale that involves nearly 100 dogs and almost as many children.

For further information, including the film's trailer and a "making of" documentary by Emma Kragen, visit www.12dogsofchristmas.com.


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Press Contact:
Ken Kragen / Amanda Martin
Kragen & Company
Phone: (310) 854-4400
KenKragen@aol.com/AmandaKragen@aol.com