Actor Jeff Daniels to Receive VSDA's ``Independent Career Achievement Award'' at the East Coast Video Show.

Entertainment Editors

ENCINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 2002

Actor Jeff Daniels will receive the Independent Career Achievement Award presented by the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) during the Opening Session at the East Coast Video Show on October 8th in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The announcement was made today by VSDA President Bo Andersen.

Jeff Daniels' 20-year film career has included leading roles in such high-profile movies as "Terms of Endearment," "The Purple Rose of Cairo," "Something Wild," "Radio Days," "Speed," "Dumb & Dumber," "Pleasantville" and most recently, "Blood Work." However, Daniels has an equally impressive list of leading roles in independent films such as "Chasing Sleep" (2000), "Trial and Error" (1997), "2 Days in the Valley" (1996) and "Rain Without Thunder" (1992).

Most recently, Daniels made his directorial debut with the independent film "Escanaba in da Moonlight," which he also wrote and stars in. The film is a comedy about an annual deer-hunting trek made by the men in the Soady family in Michigan. The film is debuting on home video October 15, 2002, from Monarch Home Video.

"The depth and diversity of Jeff Daniels' body of work illustrates the importance of independent films to an actor's career," said Andersen. "His recent directorial debut within the independent film community makes him an ideal recipient of this award."

Daniels will receive this award at the Opening Session, scheduled from 9:30-11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8th, at the Atlantic City Convention Center. In addition to accepting the award, he will participate in a discussion about the importance of independent films with Emmy award-winning entertainment journalist Neil Rosen.

Daniels made his screen debut in "Ragtime" in 1981. He followed this by performing the one-man play Dalton Trumbo's "Johnny Got His Gun" on stage in New York, for which he won an Obie Award in 1982. This success led to his first major film role as Flap Horton, the husband of Debra Winger in "Terms of Endearment." He followed this role with the lead in the Woody Allen film "The Purple Rose of Cairo."

In addition to his film and television career, Daniels remains active in theater. He started his own theater company, The Purple Rose Theater, in his hometown of Chelsea, Michigan. The company produces new works including several plays that Daniels has written.

The VSDA presented its first Independent Career Achievement Award last year at the East Coast Video Show to actor/director John Turturro.

The East Coast Video Show is the largest gathering of home entertainment retailers on the East Coast. Exhibits include a full range of home entertainment software such as VHS, DVD, CD-ROM, etc. The show also features exhibitors in non-software categories such as store fixtures, store management systems and snacks. Attendees have opportunities to attend conferences and roundtable discussion groups and network during evening events, for a pre-registration fee of only $25 for VSDA members and $40 for non-members (available until September 17). The East Coast Video Show is open to the trade only. No one under 18 will be admitted.

Exhibits at the East Coast Video Show are open Tuesday, October 8, and Wednesday, October 9, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, October 10, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Attendees can register for the 2002 show by calling toll-free 888/778-8892, or 218/723-9130, or online at www.homeentertainmentevents.com.

Companies interested in exhibiting may contact Advanstar Communication's Kimbirly Orr at [e-mail] or Janet Gibson at [e-mail] or by calling 800/854-3112.

The East Coast Video Show, Home Entertainment 2002, Presented by VSDA, and the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo are all organized through Home Entertainment Events (HEE), a joint venture between the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) and Advanstar Communications, Inc. to own and produce conferences, trade shows and other events in support of the home entertainment industry.

Established in 1981, the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) is a not-for-profit international trade association for the approximate $19 billion home entertainment industry. VSDA represents more than 1,700 companies throughout the United States, Canada, and a dozen other countries. Membership comprises the full spectrum of video and video game retailers (both independents and large chains), as well as the home video divisions of major and independent motion picture studios, and other related businesses, which constitute and support the home video entertainment industry.