Award-Winning Indie Family Film Takes On the Big Boys with New Holiday Classic; In a David-Versus-Goliath Story, Indie-Film ``Christmas in the Clouds'' is a Holiday Hit That Is Donating Box Office Revenues to California School Districts.

LOS ANGELES -- Majestic Films' "Christmas in the Clouds" is sure to become a new holiday classic with a twist that is making local school districts sing.

This weekend, "Christmas in the Clouds" continues its limited pre-release in California. Majestic Films' non-profit foundation, Majestic Films Education Fund, opened the film in support of a sneak-peek fundraiser for California schools and other educational organizations. Majestic's goal is to raise $1 million dollars for schools by donating 100% of its November box office revenues from California.

"I am delighted to work with a studio that cares enough to make such a generous donation to schools and education," said Kate Montgomery, the film's writer, producer and director. "As a mother with children in the public school system, I see how the schools' shrinking budgets affect children on a daily basis."

"It's an opportunity to strike a partnership to help the schools and develop a model for other corporations that, like Majestic Films, believe that education is the cornerstone of democracy," said Dale Petrulis, director of Partnerships and "Adopt-a-School" for the Los Angeles Unified School District.

"We jointly need to work for a future that we can envision, and that every child has a right to claim," continued Petrulis, wholeheartedly embracing the filmmakers' philanthropic decision to give back to the community by donating to the schools.

In addition to the box office revenues, on a national level the filmmakers are helping individual schools and school districts raise money with special screenings of the film. Schools in San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Rohnert Park and Crescent City have already earned over $20,000 by negotiating buy-out deals with theaters and then selling tickets to benefit their schools.

Wendy Hicks, PTA President for the California 14th District, hosted an event at Rohnert Park that featured autographed scripts and t-shirts from the film, great food and over 400 guests. "This was the best event I have ever been involved with in my 12 years with the PTA," said Hicks. "Everyone loved the movie and we had such a great time. We would love to do this every year with the film."

"Christmas in the Clouds" has over 25 additional school fundraising screenings scheduled around the country, including one school in Washington State that has booked an entire week of screens.

Media across the country have given the film rave reviews. "I love this film! It's funny. It's poignant. It's totally unforgettable. Graham Greene's portrayal of the chef is a standout. He is absolutely hilarious," said Jan Wahl, movie reviewer for KRON-TV in San Francisco.

"Christmas in the Clouds" (PG) is the first romantic comedy set in Indian Country. Shot at Robert Redford's Sundance Resort in Utah and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, it won numerous festival awards and critical acclaim.

This quirky romantic comedy is the antidote to the usual holiday fare. That it has garnered accolades on the festival circuit makes it the holiday sleeper hit of the year. In addition, the charming cast and refreshing look at today's Native American culture make it a great family feature.

Get in the Christmas spirit early, have a good laugh and support California's public schools! California sneak previews are for a limited time only. Opens nationwide December 2. Check your local listings for show times.

For more information on "Christmas in the Clouds," visit www.christmasintheclouds.com.