LOS ANGELES, CA April 22, 2005 – Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox L&M) has developed an unstoppable merchandising program to support the hit cult-flick Napoleon Dynamite. The “hilarious” (NY Post) and “wonderfully original” (People) comedy with dynamite theatrical staying power, incredible word of mouth and a distinct look and feel is now seeing success with new lines of Napoleon Dynamite licensed apparel and novelty gifts. The recent merchandise sensation has prompted Fox to offer a rare extension in its exclusive partnership with Hot Topics, giving the retailer rights to select products through June 2005.

"Every once in a while a film comes out of nowhere and really strikes a chord with viewers because it explores something totally off the wall. Napoleon Dynamite is one of those rare, innovative films,” said Peter Byrne, Executive Vice President, Fox L&M. “Being a geek has never been so cool!”

The hit feature film made its DVD debut selling record numbers during the holidays making the ultimate underdog a #1 selling title and bolstering its position as a top-performing brand at retail. To extend this “Sweet” experience to the fans, Fox created a distinct line of hot t-shirts, buttons and pins with targeted manufacturing partners. The top-selling “Vote for Pedro” t-shirts are swarming school halls everywhere as teens clamor for the “geek chic” look.

The initial Napoleon Dynamite merchandising program has been created with the following partners:

Mighty Fine:

• Men’s and jr. tees and fashion tops featuring the slogan “Vote For Pedro”
• Messenger bags, tote bags, wallets, coin purses, infant and toddler onesies and t-shirts
• Currently top sellers at trend spotting stores

• Wristbands, headwear, lanyards, shoelaces, stickers, iron-on patches, magnets, key chains, buttons and air fresheners
• Available exclusively at Hot Topic through June 2005
• Additional products including wrist cuffs, headwear, caps, shoelaces and lanyards will be available at retailers in February

JDK:

• Talking Doll heads
• Soon to be available in retail stores everywhere

Antioch Publishing Co.:

• Bookmarks
• Soon to be available in retail stores everywhere

Whatever Company, Inc:

• Notebooks, loose paper, pens, postcards
• Soon to be available in retail stores everywhere

Funky Enterprises:

• Posters featuring classic images
• Currently available in specialty stores everywhere

Licensing and promotional opportunities are now available from Fox L&M across all categories including boxers and loungewear and apparel accessories. The Napoleon Dynamite program will roll-out nationwide this summer.

About Napoleon Dynamite
Napoleon Dynamite is a new kind of hero, complete with a tight 'fro, sweet moon boots, and skills that can't be topped. Napoleon spends his days drawing mythical beasts, duking it out with his brother Kip and avoiding his scheming Uncle Rico. When two new friends enter Napoleon’s life – shy Deb and mustachioed Pedro – the trio launches a campaign to elect Pedro for class president and make the student body's wildest dreams come true. But if Pedro is to beat stuck-up Summer, Napoleon will have to unleash his secret weapon...A runaway comedy hit at the Sundance Film Festival and named Best Feature Film at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE marks the feature film debut of an original new voice, director Jared Hess, who himself grew up in Preston, Idaho and left his studies at Brigham Young University to make the film.  NAPOLEON DYNAMITE is written by Jared and his wife, Jerusha Hess, and produced by Jeremy Coon, Chris Wyatt and Sean C. Covel.  The comic cast includes Jon Heder, Jon Gries, Aaron Ruell, Efren Ramirez, Tina Majorino, Diedrich Bader and Haylie Duff.

About 20TH Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising
A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company as well as third party lines.   News Corporation’s Content and Marketing Group develops new channels of content and marketing for Fox Entertainment Group divisions.