CHILDREN’S SERIES PRAIRIE BERRY PIE IN PRODUCTION IN REGINA WITH NEW HOST, KENNETCH CHARLETTE AND NEW NATIONAL BROADCAST PARTNER, APTN

Series will broadcast in Saskatchewan on SCN

June 12, 2002 -- (Regina, SK) Producers Minds Eye Entertainment and Moose Jaw Light & Power are pleased to announce that season two of Prairie Berry Pie is in production in the new Saskatchewan soundstage complex. The new 13 half-hour episodes of the pre-school children’s series will also feature the debut of a new host, played by Saskatchewan-based actor Kennetch Charlette. Prairie Berry Pie will broadcast provincially on the Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN) and nationally on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN).

“We are pleased to launch the first of our summer production slate in the new Saskatchewan soundstage complex,” said Kevin DeWalt, Executive Producer and C.E.O of Minds Eye Entertainment. “We are pleased to be working with our broadcast partners in the province on SCN and across Canada on APTN.”

“APTN is pleased to provide a national audience for Prairie Berry Pie,” said Jim Compton, Director of Programming at APTN. “It is vital that our programming reflect and celebrate our culture, inspire our children and honour the wisdom of our Elders.”

Prairie Berry Pie is a warm, entertaining, and educational half-hour series for pre-school children, involving both human and animal puppet characters. Born out of the same tradition as Shari Lewis’s Lamb Chop’s Play-Along and Sharon, Lois, and Bram’s Elephant Show, Prairie Berry Pie creates a safe and comfortable world of trust and respect -- as well as friendship and fun. Each episode includes a strong dramatic story and lively, singable songs, while teaching pre-school social skills, illustrating themes of Canadian life, and recognizing the country’s rich cultural diversity.

Host Kennetch Charlette (Big Bear) plays David, a First Nations storyteller and singer, who acts as caregiver to a pair of puppet “kids,” Sasha the skunk (Janni Lauzon), and Clementine the porcupine (Trish Leeper). Rounding out the cast is Melissa Hande as David’s friend Mackenzie and Tom Rooney (Gilda Radner - It’s Always Something) and Kent Allen (Murder Seen) as a pair of zany brothers, Franklin and Gridley, who bring a splash of comic energy to end each show.

“It’s a thrill to see so many talented performers and crew bringing the Prairie Berry Pie vision to life,” says Geoffrey Ursell, Producer for Moose Jaw Light & Power and series co-creator. “This warm and entertaining series presents the prairies to children across Canada and, we hope, beyond.”

"SCN is committed to supporting the film and video industry of our region," said SCN President and CEO, David Debono. "We are pleased to see Prairie Berry Pie continue to evolve into an entertaining, informative, series for children, and we are proud to air this quality series on our network."

Established in 1986, Minds Eye Entertainment is a fully integrated production, post-production, and distribution entity with offices across Canada. As Western Canada’s largest privately held film and television production company, Minds Eye Entertainment has been instrumental in contributing to the country’s thriving motion picture industry. Its award-winning feature films, television series, shorts, and documentaries have been sold in more than 100 countries. The Company website is www.mindseyepictures.com.

Moose Jaw Light & Power is a creative powerhouse based on the expertise of its three principals -- Geoffrey Ursell, Barbara Sapergia, and Ken Mitchell -- who have national and international television, radio, theatre, and publishing credits. Ursell and Sapergia are co-creators of Prairie Berry Pie, and all three have written for the show.

SCN broadcasts on Saskatchewan’s cable, wireless and satellite television systems, and features a wide range of programming that reflects the culture, heritage and interests of the people of our province and our country.

APTN is available to nearly 8 million Canadian households with cable as well as direct-to-home and wireless service customers. 60% of APTN broadcasts are offered in English, 15% in French and 25% in Aboriginal languages. For program schedule or other information, please contact APTN at (204) 947-9331, or toll-free at 1-888-278-8862. Visit APTN on the web at aptn.ca.

Prairie Berry Pie is produced with the financial participation of Aboriginal Peoples' Television Network, the Canadian Television Fund - Licence Fee Program, Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit Program, SaskFilm, CanWest Western Independent Producers Fund, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Saskatchewan Communications Network and Movie Central, A Corus Entertainment Company.

Prairie Berry Pie is distributed internationally by Minds Eye International.

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