"THE FINEST HOURS" HEROES FOR HEROES PROGRAM KICKS OFF IN CHICAGO

 “THE FINEST HOURS” HEROES FOR HEROES PROGRAM KICKS OFF IN CHICAGO ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 19

Screening Series to Honor Real-Life Heroes and Their Families

BURBANK, CALIF. (January 19, 2016) – Walt Disney Studios announces “The Finest Hours” Heroes for Heroes program, a screening seriesdesigned to honor real-life heroes and their families sponsored by Visa Signature and Homewood Suites by Hilton. 

The Heroes for Heroes program will provide military and first responders the chance to attend a screening of Disney’s upcoming heroic action-thriller “The Finest Hours.” Homewood Suites by Hilton, Visa Signature and Disney will travel across the country, stopping in 10 U.S. cities, to create these exclusive screening events.

Heroes for Heroes will kick-off with a screening in Chicago today, Tuesday, January 19, followed by screenings in Dallas, Philadelphia, Miami, Phoenix, Seattle, Denver, Minneapolis and Kansas City, wrapping up in Los Angeles on Monday, January 25, where the film’s premiere will take place in Hollywood at the TCL Chinese Theatre. The U.S. Coast Guard Band along with the U.S. Honor Guard will perform and officially open the red carpet, with 70 heroes from around the country (representing the Armed Forces, Veterans, Wounded Warriors and First Responders) attending the premiere courtesy of American Airlines and the Gary Sinise Foundation. The heroes will enjoy accommodations by Homewood Suites at a nearby hotel. American Airlines and Homewood Suites by Hilton are sponsors of the premiere.

About The Film:

“The Finest Hours” is the remarkable true story of the most daring rescue mission in the history of the Coast Guard. Presented in Digital 3D™, Real D 3D and IMAX® 3D, the film will transport audiences to the heart of the action, creating a fully-immersive cinematic experience on an epic scale. On February 18, 1952, a massive nor’easter struck New England, pummeling towns along the Eastern seaboard and wreaking havoc on the ships caught in its deadly path, including the SS Pendleton, a T-2 oil tanker bound for Boston, which was literally ripped in half, trapping more than 30 sailors inside its rapidly-sinking stern. As the senior officer on board, first assistant engineer Raymond Sybert (Casey Affleck) soon realizes it is up to him to take charge of the frightened crew and inspire the men to set aside their differences and work together to ride out one of the worst storms to ever hit the East Coast. Meanwhile, as word of the disaster reaches the U.S. Coast Guard station in Chatham, Massachusetts, Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff (Eric Bana) orders a daring operation to rescue the stranded men. Despite overwhelming odds, four men, led by Captain Bernie Webber (Chris Pine), set out in a wooden lifeboat with an ill-equipped engine and little, if any, means of navigation, facing frigid temperatures, 60-foot high waves and hurricane-force winds.

Disney’s “The Finest Hours” is the unforgettable story of the Coast Guard’s courageous mission, which is directed by Craig Gillespie and stars: Chris Pine; Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee Casey Affleck; Ben Foster; Holliday Grainger; John Ortiz; and Eric Bana. Produced by Jim Whitaker, p.g.a., and Dorothy Aufiero, p.g.a., the screenplay is by Oscar® nominee Scott Silver and Oscar nominees Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson based on the acclaimed non-fiction book of the same name by Casey Sherman and Michael J. Tougias. Doug Merrifield serves as executive producer. “The Finest Hours” opens in U.S. theaters on Friday, January 29, 2016.

Visa Signature is a proud sponsor of the theatrical release of “The Finest Hours.” Visa Signature cardholders receive benefits including complimentary 24-hour Visa Signature Concierge service, exclusive travel perks, special fine wine and food experiences, and discounts at premium retailers. For more information, visit www.visa.com/signature.

About Homewood Suites by Hilton:

Homewood Suites by Hilton, Hilton Worldwide’s upscale, all-suite, extended-stay hotel brand with more than 375 locations in the United States, Mexico and Canada, is an award-winning leader that has been named “Top Upscale Extended-Stay” hotel by J.D. Power the last six years. The first choice for guests seeking comfortable accommodations when traveling for an extended or quick overnight stay, Homewood Suites offers inviting, generous suites, featuring separate living and sleeping areas, and fully-equipped kitchens with full-size refrigerators. Additional value-driven essentials include: complimentary Internet, a daily full-hot breakfast and complimentary evening social every Monday-Thursday. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key. Homewood Suites is focused on guest satisfaction and stands behind each stay with its 100% Suite Assurance® guarantee. The brand’s military support campaign is also part of Hilton Worldwide’s wider commitment, Operation Opportunity, a pledge to hire 10,000 veterans over the next five years and donate millions of Hilton HHonors points to assist job-

seeking veterans. For more information on the extended-stay advantage, visit: www.homewoodsuites.com or news.homewoodsuites.com.

About Walt Disney Studios:

For over 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; Lucasfilm; and Touchstone Pictures, the banner under which

live-action films from DreamWorks Studios are distributed. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!.