Hopeville: Original six part mini series beginning March 3rdth , 2009

Curious Pictures collaborates with HEARTLINES and SABC Education for the creation of a new six part mini series Hopeville. Hopeville tells the story of Amos, who makes a new start in a small town, trying to make the best of his situation as a single dad and recovering alcoholic. Through the restoration of the town's swimming pool, Amos reconnects with his son, and finds the courage to live out what he believes, creating a ripple effect that impacts on the community at large.

Set to be screened over a six-week period on SABC 2 starting March 3rd 2009 at 19:30pm. The cast includes Desmond Dube, Fana Mokoena, Themba Ndaba, Jody Abrahams and Terry Pheto,

The Hopeville series continues the HEARTLINES tradition of using television to tell stories that will get the nation talking, thinking and acting on good values. In 2006 HEARTLINES made headlines when its series of eight films on values, - '8 weeks, 8 values, 1 national conversation' which reached over 7,3 million people.

"Through the Hopeville series we want to promote values-based action that will support the development of our youth specifically by restoring recreational facilities, promoting mentorship programmes as well as literacy and libraries." Says HEARTLINES Executive Director Dr Garth Japhet.

Pioneering a first in the promotions of local television dramas, Curious Pictures is using a range of digital media platforms to support the marketing of the television series Hopeville. They have launched a number of creative, interactive initiatives which were produced in-house and placed on a variety of platforms.

The interactive arm of the Hopeville series encourages viewers to view and interact with content from the mini series. In addition to promoting the series, the interactive campaign includes 12 viral clips in which local popular comedians surprise ordinary people by doing "good for change." The hilarious viral clips are also distributed on the Hopeville mobi-site, facebook and youtube, MXit, and have formed a cornerstone in promoting the series on television also.

Logging onto the Hopeville mobi site, or the facebook group also gives access to a range of free content downloads like ringtones, wallpapers, promos and the comedy viral clips.

"Using digital and interactive media is a cost-effective and vital arm in any marketing campaign "said Devon Brough who heads up Curious Pictures' interactive division. "We were fortunate in that we are working with Heartlines who are both visionary and adventurous, and they have encouraged us to be creative."

Curious Pictures viral digital content for Hopeville can be viewed on the following platforms:

FACEBOOK: Join the group, invite all your friends and please leave a message on the wall.

YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/HeartlinesSA
View the comic viral clips music videos and promo

MOBISITE: www.heartlines.mobi from your cell phone. Register and download free ring tones, videos and wallpapers.

MXiT: Visit the MobiStuff Content Bot on the MXiT Tradepost.