“Project Imagin8ion,” the First Hollywood Film in History Inspired by a User-Generated Photo Contest, Will Begin Production in September

NEW YORK, August 4, 2011 -- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, has collaborated with one of Hollywood’s most influential directors, Ron Howard, to select the eight winners of the “Project Imagin8ion” contest from 96,362 submissions. Launched on May 22, photographers of all levels were invited to submit their most imaginative photographs based on a series of eight separate movie themes, each one a core tenet of storytelling, to ultimately inspire Ron Howard’s short film. The “Project Imagin8ion” film will be directed by one of today’s most versatile and dynamic young talents, Bryce Dallas Howard. The eight winning photographs can now be seen at www.youtube.com/imagination.

The winners chosen span in age from 20 to 44 years old and are from across the country. They include:

• Walter Arnold of Hendersonville, N.C., winner in the SETTING category for the photo, “The Final View”

• Jen Berry of Los Angeles, winner in the CHARACTER category for the photo, “Dreams”

• Mikey L’Heureux of Tarzana, Calif., winner in the MOOD category for the photo, “City Lights”

• Brooke Shaden of Canoga Park, Calif., winner in the TIME category for the photo, “Running From Wind”

• Alan Michael Martelly of Peachtree City, Ga., winner in the GOAL category for the photo, “My Word”

• Lexia Frank of Wesley Chapel, Fla., winner in the RELATIONSHIP category for the photo, “Too Much”

• Chris Wehner of Broken Arrow, Okla., winner in the OBSTACLE category for the photo, “Yea, Though I Walk”

• Kelly Shipp of Conway, Ark., winner in the category of THE UNKNOWN for the photo, “Where One Day Ends, One Day Begins”

“This project has opened my eyes to the infinite possibilities of tapping into a larger community for creative inspiration,” said Ron Howard. “As I selected the photographs, the story started to take shape using these building blocks to drive the tone and narrative possibilities. I was handed this challenge by Canon and I’m very interested to see how this exercise plays out with Bryce now taking charge to direct a film that is very much influenced by these eight photos.”

Ron Howard, Bryce Dallas Howard and Freestyle Productions are currently working with the eight winning photos to craft the story, develop the script and produce a short film using Canon DSLR products. The film goes into production in September and will premiere later this year in New York City, where the winners will be invited to a red carpet event and have the opportunity to meet Ron Howard.

“Our goal was to launch a long-term campaign that demonstrates how Canon’s technology enables artistry among photographers of all levels, championing the imagination of the masses,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “The number of entries has by far surpassed our expectations and we know the finished product, ‘A Ron Howard Production,’ will be a truly beautiful film, one that would never have been made without the enthusiastic online community.”

Grey New York, Canon’s agency partner for over thirty years, continues to develop the creative and digital elements of the multiphase campaign that will go beyond the short film. Alliance, the entertainment and lifestyle marketing division of Grey, is managing the partnership with Ron Howard and Bryce Dallas Howard.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the U.S. in 2010†, with global revenues of more than US $45 billion and is listed as number five in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine's World’s Most Admired Companies 2011 list. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei -- "all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future" -- Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

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† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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