LOS ANGELES — Entrepreneurs Nia Hill, D’Angela Steed and Duane Martin, with investors Will Smith and Tisha Campbell-Martin, today announced the formation of The Momentum Experience, a new theatrical distribution entity. The company, co-founded by Hill and Steed, will employ an alternative model of film exhibition designed to reach urban consumers in non-traditional theatrical venues. Momentum will screen quality, commercially viable films starring people of color in venues outside of the movie multiplex, including playhouses and concert halls. Blair Underwood has accepted appointment as chair of the advisory board.

The Momentum Experience will launch on July 20, 2005 at the legendary Fox Theater in Atlanta with additional dates in Washington DC, Baltimore and Detroit to follow through early August. The company’s first release is THE SEAT FILLER, a romantic comedy starring Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child), Shemar Moore (Diary of a Mad Black Woman) and Duane Martin (All Of Us). The film is directed by Nick Castle, written by Mark Brown, Martin and Tisha Campbell-Martin and produced by Hill, Steed and Martin. (more…)