XLrator Media has acquired all U.S. distribution rights to the film CBGB, a rock 'n roll true story of the legendary New York City club that launched dozens of top bands and is known globally as the home of American Punk Rock music. CBGB tells the tale of the famed venue and its iconoclastic founder Hilly Kristal, portrayed by Alan Rickman (Harry Potter series) and directed by Randall Miller (Bottle Shock). The release of the much-buzzed-about film is timed to take advantage of the huge CBGB Music Festival event this Fall and the current mainstream popularity of "PUNK" in the media, art and fashion. The announcement was made today by XLrator Media CEO Barry Gordon.

The film will be released theatrically to coincide with the fast-growing CBGB Music Festival, which takes New York City by storm October 9-13, 2013 with over 500 bands performing on 175 stages across the city including Times Square and Brooklyn's Barkley Center.

CBGB features an all-star cast, including Malin Akerman (The Numbers Station), Ashley Greene (Twilight franchise), Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory), Rupert Grint (Harry Potter franchise), Justin Bartha (The Hangover franchise), Joel Moore (Avatar), Freddy Rodríguez (Six Feet Under), Donal Logue, Stana Katic (Castle), and Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters. With 16 on-camera musical performances, the film features over 60 classic songs by the Talking Heads, The Ramones, Blondie, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, The Police and The Dead Boys, among others.

XLrator Media CEO Barry Gordon had this to say in a statement.

"CBGB is one of the most iconic and authentic names in music history, and Randy's extraordinary film is a raucously entertaining celebration of the music and artists that have defined the culture for decades. CBGB is the rare film that will resonate with teens, millennials and legacy fans alike. The whole family can jump in the mosh pit together for this one!"

Director Randall Miller also released his own statement.

"I'm thrilled to be working with XLrator Media to bring this film to audiences this Fall. They are passionate and creative marketers who really embrace the potential for CBGB."

CBGB looks at New York's dynamic punk rock scene through the lens of the ground-breaking Lower East Side club started by eccentric Hilly Kristal in 1973 originally as a home for "country, bluegrass and blues" (thus the club's name) and which showcased cutting-edge bands through its closing in 2006. Talking Heads, Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, The Ramones, Blondie, The Dead Boys, Bad Brains, Green Day, Soul Asylum, The Police, Bruce Springsteen, Everclear, George Thorogood, The Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, The Black Crowes, The Flaming Lips, The Goo Goo Dolls, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The B-52's, The Runaways, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Tool and The Wallflowers are just some of the thousands of bands that played the club over the years.

Unclaimed Freight Productions' Randall Miller and Jody Savin (Bottle Shock, Nobel Son) produced the film along with veteran music publishing executive Brad Rosenberger and Kristal's daughter Lisa Kristal Burgman. Savin and Miller wrote the screenplay. The deal was negotiated by Gordon on behalf of XLrator Media with Ben Weiss and Meghan Oliver of Paradigm and Jonathan Gardner of Cohen Gardner on behalf of the filmmakers.