SONOMA, California (December 15, 2004)……Over 450 people received a holiday gift from Cinema Epicuria, the presenters of the Sonoma Valley Film Festival, and Walt Disney Home Entertainment on Saturday, December 11, by attending one of two free sneak preview screenings of the new movie, Where the Red Fern Grows, at the historic Sebastiani Theatre.

Kids and adults of all ages had the opportunity to see the remake of the heartwarming tale, meet the filmmakers and members of the cast, participate in a question and answer session, and receive autographs from lead actor Joseph Ashton (Nickelodeon's "Rocket Power;" "The Education Of Little Tree") after the screenings.

Before the screenings, Cinema Epicuria arranged for holiday treats and tastes for the audiences: Chocolate tiger cookies for the kids and samples of Vella Cheeses, Achadinha Cheeses and Sausage, and Artisan Bakers foccocia, along with Coturri Pinot Noir and Gloria Ferrer Chardonnay, for the adults. Tastings were offered and donated by Sheana Davis, The Epicurian Connection. A VIP reception for Sonoma Valley Film Festival sponsors and Patrons, hosted by Walt Disney, was held between screenings at the Ledson Hotel Harmony Club Restaurant.

Sporting a stellar all-star cast, Where the Red Fern Grows features the talents of Joseph Ashton ("The Education of Little Tree") as Billy Coleman, Grammy®-Award Winning Superstar Dave Matthews in his film debut, Renee Faia ("And The Beat Goes On"), Mac Davis ("North Dallas Forty"), Kris Kristofferson ("Blade," "Lone Star") as Older Billy Coleman, with Ned Beatty ("Rudy," "Deliverance") and Dabney Coleman ("Stuart Little," "Tootsie"). The lucky Sonoma film audience got the chance to talk with Producers Katy Wallin and David Alexanian, as well as actors Joseph Ashton and Renee Faia before and after the screenings, as well as during the VIP reception.

"What a treat it was to take my 9 year-old son to a new film before anyone else gets to see it here in our town, and have the chance to actually talk with the talented actor who led the tremendous cast in the movie," stated local filmmaker Jay Lee. "My wife, son and I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and can't wait to buy it on DVD, so we can see it again and share it with our friends. Although my son did comment that the film was a little sad, he loved the film and will always remember meeting the warm and generous Joseph Ashton, who obviously loves and appreciates his young fan base. It was incredible to see him patiently sign autographs for over 30 minutes!"

The story follows a young boy named Billy Coleman (Ashton) whose hard work and determination help him realize his dream of buying a pair of Redbone Coon Hounds. Billy and his hounds become an inseparable trio, as he trains them to become the best hunting dogs in the state. Through a series of adventures, Billy realizes the meaning of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship in this timeless and touching story.

"The movie was done in the most graceful manner of dealing with real-life issues that kids face, i.e., the death of a beloved animal," commented local parent Laura St. Leger-Barter. "The 'coon-hunting' also was done with wonderful regard for subtleness - never showing the guns being fired or the racoons being killed. That part glossed right over the little ones heads so they could focus on the more important theme of the movie - conviction and hard work toward what you want will bring you good things - rather than killing animals, which is what the younger minds would have focused on if it was included in the movie. It was a WONDERFULLY done film for young kids."

Local businessman and Sonoma Native Sons President Dean Zellers agreed. "We couldn't pass up this fantastic opportunity to take our entire family to an event like this in Sonoma," said Dean along with his wife, Kelli. "We are so grateful that the Cinema Epicuria team took the time to put on a free, quality event like this that my mother, young kids and my wife and I could enjoy! And that Disney would spend the time and money to screen the film here is extraordinary. We loved it. And my kids are now Joseph Ashton fans for life."

"My husband and I and our two kids truly enjoyed a family outing on Saturday to attend an advance screening of Where the Red Fern Grows!," wrote Patricia Angelioni. "My 8-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son are still talking about various aspects of the movie; Ryan planned to draw a red fern during his a.m. kindergarten class the day after the film, and Ellen was on Joseph Ashton's website, hours after receiving his autograph (which is now on her bulletin board!). We are thankful that Disney recognized that our historic Sebastiani theatre and hospitable community would be a great place to screen their beautiful new film."

"I came with my friends and our kids from Napa," remarked Napa resident Jill Klein. "How wonderful that the community of Sonoma has such a beautiful old theater right on the Plaza! And an non-profit film festival organization that produces events like this for the community. Keep us posted and we'll come back for more!"

'Where The Red Fern Grows' is based on the best-selling novel of the same title, by Wilson Rawls, the fifth best-selling children's book of all time. It is estimated that 40 million people have read the book since its first publication in 1961. In continuous print since that time, it is required reading in numerous elementary and middle schools, and more than two million new students now read it each year. On the Library Association reading list and a Literary Guild selection, 'Where The Red Fern Grows' has been featured at the top of First Lady Laura Bush's Ready to Read, Ready to Learn literacy program.