"REFRESHING, SMART AND COMPASSIONATE!" Kevin Crust, Los Angeles Times

SANTA MONICA, CA -- Genius Products, Inc. (OTCBB: GNPI) and IFC Films have come together to release 12 and Holding a honest portrayal of three children who are forced to lose their innocence after a tragic death of one of their friends on October 10, 2006. The film brilliantly unfolds the harsh transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Refreshing, warm and powerful, this coming of age tale was directed by Michael Cuesta (L.I.E) and features stellar performances from young actors Zoe Wiesenbaum (Memoirs of a Geisha, Missing in America), Conor Donovan and Jesse Camacho. The three young characters struggle with issues only an adult should ever have to deal with including unrequited love, obesity and death. Their family members are played by an outstanding adult supporting cast including Jayne Atkinson (Syriana, 24), Annabella Sciorra (The Sopranos), Jeremy Renner (North Country, Lords of Dogtown), Marcia Debonis (13 Going on 30) and Linus Roache (Batman Begins, The Chronicles of Riddick). The critically acclaimed film was an official selection at the 2005 Toronto Film Festival. 12 and Holding will carry a suggested retail price of $24.95 and will be available in stores on October 10. Order due date is August 29.

SYNOPSIS: 12 and Holding

12 and Holding is the shocking and intricate pre-teen coming of age tale where adolescence and adulthood collide, exploring the complexities of children losing their innocence and adults struggling to guide them. Sparked by the tragic death of Jacob’s twin brother, a trio of friends band together as they grapple with feelings of revenge, grief and experiences of growing up. As each family’s personal challenges are revealed, they learn to better understand each other and their own realities.

BASICS
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Price: $24.95 SRP
Street Date: October 10, 2006
Order Date: August 29, 2006
MPAA Rating: R
Languages: English
Subtitles: English
Running time: 94 minutes
Catalog Number: 79614
UPC: 7 96019 79614 9
Format: 16x9 1.78
Closed Captioned: SDH Subtitled for the deaf and hard-of-hearing

Other IFC Films coming out on behalf of Genius Products, Inc. include I am a Sex Addict (September 12), Kill the Poor (September 12), Russian Dolls (September 26), Three Times (September 26) and Pizza (October 24).

ABOUT GENIUS PRODUCTS, INC.

Genius Products, Inc. (OTCBB: GNPI) produces and distributes an ever-expanding library of home entertainment products, including DVDs and CDs. Sold in retail outlets nationwide under such well-known brands as Wellspring, Sundance Channel Home Entertainment™, NBC News, and Baby Genius®, the company’s products are distributed through the Genius Products Branded Distribution Network, an extensive distribution network that extends throughout the U.S. to mass, drugstore, supermarket and specialty retailers. Genius Products recently released on home video The Weinstein Company smash hits HOODWINKED, the animated family comedy which ranked #1 in consumer sales in its debut week; DERAILED, starring Jennifer Aniston and Clive Owen, which ranked #1 in rentals in its debut week; WOLF CREEK, an Australian horror film; and the Oscar nominated film, MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS, starring Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins.

Genius Products boasts a premiere management team comprised of seasoned executives, formerly with major Hollywood studios, who have steered the company into the forefront of the industry through their landmark distribution deal with The Weinstein Company.

Upcoming films planned for release by Genius Products include films by The Weinstein Company such as THE MATADOR, starring Pierce Brosnan; THE LIBERTINE, starring Johnny Depp; and LUCKY NUMBER SLEVEN, a Weinstein Company presentation released theatrically by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) starring Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis and Lucy Liu. Potential new releases include a sequel to SIN CITY, SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS, CLERKS II and the highly anticipated film, BOBBY.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for historical matters contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect Genius Products’ business, forecasts, projections and prospects, and cause actual results to differ materially from those in these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the anticipated number of releases, timing and financial performance of home video releases such as SCARY MOVIE 4, DERAILED, HOODWINKED, MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS, WOLF CREEK, THE MATADOR, THE LIBERTINE, LUCKY NUMBER SLEVEN, a sequel to SIN CITY, SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS, CLERKS II, BOBBY, and any other statements relating to such new or potential releases that are not historical statements of fact. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to access. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements for many reasons, including but not limited to, the unpredictability of audience demand, the effect of technological change and the availability of alternative forms of entertainment. Other such risks and uncertainties include the matters described in Genius Products’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Genius Products assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

About The Weinstein Company

The Weinstein Company was created by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films Corp. in 1979. TWC is a multi-media company that officially launched on October 1, 2005. Dimension Films, the genre label that was founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, is also included under TWC banner. The Weinstein’s are actively working on the production, development and acquisition of projects for TWC.

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Source, Genius Products, Inc. and Dan Klores Communications (dkcnews.com)