Prime Video To Acquire Pair Of Feature Films From Lionsgate And BuzzFeed Studios

NEW YORK, NY - May 4, 2022 - BuzzFeed, Inc. (NASDAQ: BZFD) a premier digital media company and global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), today announced the acquisition of two upcoming made for streaming feature films, 1UP and My Fake Boyfriend by Prime Video.

The pictures are the first projects from Lionsgate and BuzzFeed Studios' multi-year partnership to develop and produce a slate of socially relevant movies for Millennial and Gen Z audiences. Both films celebrate identity and youth culture, showcasing authentic stories from a wide range of talent and award-winning filmmakers and are informed by data and insights from BuzzFeed's highly engaged global audience.

My Fake Boyfriend is a contemporary, romantic comedy starring Keiynan Lonsdale (Love Simon, The Flash), Dylan Sprouse (After We Collided) and Sarah Hyland (Modern Family, Vampire Academy) that aims to elevate underrepresented voices and tap into BuzzFeed's global LGBTQ+ audience. My Fake Boyfriend will premiere on Prime Video in the U.S. on June 15, 2022.

1UP, is a comedic film centered on the competitive world of gaming and esports, starring Ruby Rose (John Wick 2), Paris Berelc (Hubie Halloween) and Taylor Zahkar Perez (Kissing Booth 2, Minx) 1UP will premiere on Prime Video in the U.S. on July 15, 2022.

Globally, My Fake Boyfriend will premiere in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Latin America and Brazil on June 10; and in all other territories on June 24. 1UP will premiere in Australia and New Zealand on July 8.

Lauren Bixby, VP, Acquisitions and Co-Productions, added, "We're so proud to be teaming with our friends at Amazon Prime on these two incredible films. They're wonderful partners and we are thrilled that they will ensure these highly entertaining movies reach the widest possible audience."

"We're excited to join forces with Amazon and bring our films to passionate audiences around the world," said Richard Alan Reid, EVP of Global Content and Head of Studio for BuzzFeed, Inc. "The combination of BuzzFeed's creativity and insights, Lionsgate's impressive industry expertise and Prime's beloved global platform, brings a slate of entertaining films built for the next generation of movie-lovers."

About My Fake Boyfriend

• Synopsis: In the film, a young man in a tricky situation (Keiynan Lonsdale) follows the advice of his unconventional best friend (Dylan Sprouse) and uses social media to create a fake boyfriend to keep his awful ex-lover out of his life. But everything backfires when he meets the real love of his life, and breaking up with his fake boyfriend proves hard to do.

• Cast: My Fake Boyfriend stars Keiynan Lonsdale (Love Simon, The Flash), Dylan Sprouse (After We Collided) and Sarah Hyland (Modern Family, Vampire Academy).

• Credits: My Fake Boyfriend will be directed by Rose Troche (The Safety of Objects, The L Word, Shameless, Vida, Black Lightening, Snowpiercer), a queer Latina writer and director and pioneer in LGBTQ+ cinema. The film is written by Luke Albright, Joe Wanjai Ross and Greg Boaldin. BuzzFeed's Richard Alan Reid is producing along with Jason Moring and Michael Philip.

About 1UP

• Synopsis: Valerie Lee quits her college esports team, fed up with gaslighting from her male counterparts, and quickly realizes that her decision comes at the cost of her scholarship. But, she discovers a loophole to save her collegiate future: if she can find a coach and assemble a whole new varsity-caliber team capable of reaching the State Finals. Valerie turns to her professor, Parker Nesby, and together with Valerie's best friend and fellow gamer Sloane, they form and train a rag-tag women's team committed to taking down the boys that tried to shut them out of gaming in the first place.

• Cast: Actresses Ruby Rose and Paris Berelc will star in lead roles in 1UP, which will be directed by Kyle Newman (Fanboys). 1UP supporting cast will include Taylor Zakhar Perez (The Kissing Booth 2), Hari Nef (Assassination Nation, Transparent), and Nicholas Coombe (Spy Kids: Mission Critical, Dora and The Lost City of Gold).

• Credits: 1UP is written by Julia Yorks. BuzzFeed's Richard Alan Reid is producing along with Michael Philip and Jason Moring.

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