Quinton Aaron (Oscar-winning film The Blind Side) and Marcus Henderson (Get Out) star in HALFWAY

LOS ANGELES, April 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- An involving and smartly observed drama that puts a human face to a national crisis, Halfway offers some poignant reflections on America's broken justice system and the overall conflict of race relations within the nation. Premiering on UMC, Friday, April 21, 2017, the film tells the story of Byron (Quinton Aaron, The Blind Side), a recently released convict who finds himself trapped between his criminal past and his new life on probation as the only black man in a conservative white Wisconsin farming town. Physically imposing, yet socially reserved, Byron struggles to adjust to a family riven with problems and a world far beyond his comfort zone.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering up with the Urban Movie Channel for this exclusive premiere of Halfway. It has been a great journey for us with this film and we are excited for it to now reach a wider audience. We are so appreciative to Angela [Northington] and her team for believing in us," said Jonny Paterson, the producer of the film.

The debut feature from writer/director Ben Caird with lead actor Quinton Aaron, Tommy Oliver (The Perfect Guy), and Nnamdi Asomugha (Crown Heights) serving as executive producers, the film has only been seen at select film festivals throughout the country. During its run on the festival circuit, the film picked up several awards including the Ultra Indie Award at the Woodstock Film Festival, the Best Film Award at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, and the Best Film Award at the Weyauwega Film Festival. "A truly excellent film" (Huffington Post), Halfway also stars Marcus Henderson (Get Out), Gillian Zinser (90210), T.J. Power (Eat Pray Love), Jeffrey Demunn (The Walking Dead) and Amy Pietz.

Premiering today, April 7, 2017, comes the Swirl Films Production, Ladies Book Club. Bunny (Angell Conwell, Baby Boy) and Carlyle (Lyriq Bent) have been best friends since high school. Now in their 30's, they are also roommates. Despite their undeniable attraction for one another, they have managed to keep their relationship platonic. Bunny's group of friends, plus her meddling mother (Jackee Harry), known as the Ladies Book Club, would love to see the best friends cross that line once and for all. Directed by Fred Thomas Jr., Ladies Book Club also stars Elise Neal (No Regrets, Logan) and Amanda Seales (HBO's Insecure).

Also premiering on UMC this month from up and coming Canadian filmmakers Sheldon Shaw, Johnwoo Richardson, and Shawn Harris, is the entertainment documentary This is for Toronto. An ode to the fourth largest city in North America, This is for Toronto explores the rise of entertainment culture in the Canadian mecca and the global impact that it has been making on the industry. In the documentary, veterans and the new generation share their insights on how far the Toronto has come, where it is going and the milestones that continue to be achieved by its natives worldwide. This is for Toronto premieres on Friday, April 14, 2017. Available at www.UMC.tv, UMC is the first premium subscription streaming service that showcases quality African American and urban entertainment across all genres from RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE).

About UMC
Created by Robert L. Johnson, Chairman of RLJ Entertainment and founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), Urban Movie Channel (UMC) is the first subscription streaming service created for African American and urban audiences in North America that features quality urban content and showcases feature films, documentaries, original series, stand-up comedy, and other exclusive content. UMC is available on Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Amazon Prime, Amazon Fire TV, and online at www.UMC.tv. UMC offers a free 7-day trial and thereafter is just $4.99/month or $49.99/year. Keep up with UMC on Facebook at Facebook.com/UrbanMovieChannel and on Twitter/Instagram @WatchUMC.

UMC Press Contact: Farah Noel, 301.830.6247, [email protected]

SOURCE RLJ Entertainment