MELBOURNE, MONDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2008. Madman Entertainment swept the board at this year?s annual Australian Visual Software Distributors Association (AVSDA) awards, taking home four highly prestigious awards.

The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday November 14 was the setting for Madman's success, where in a spectacular display of David vs. Goliathesque audacity, Madman beat all of the major studios and distributors to bag the biggest award haul of the night. This was equalled only by Roadshow Home Entertainment, whose crime caper UNDERBELLY was also well awarded. (Rumours of gangland retribution and its impact on the judging panel's decisions are as yet unconfirmed)

Awards are given in three categories - Sales, Marketing and Retail Recognition - and are widely recognised as the benchmark for excellence in the industry.

Madman won in the following categories for titles released from 01 June 07 - 31 June 08:

o Highest selling retail title from an Independent Distributor:TRANSFORMERS GEN 1 COMPLETE COLLECTION

o Best marketing campaign for a theatrical release with a $1 - 5m box office: THIS IS ENGLAND

o Best catalogue marketing campaign: ICONIC AUSTRALIAN FILMS

o Best selling title in the children's animation category: TRANSFORMERS GEN 1 COMPLETE COLLECTION

o Madman was also shortlisted in the best TV marketing campaign category for MIDSOMER MURDERS - 10 MURDEROUSLY GOOD SEASONS

The annual AVSDA awards ceremony is the industry's night of nights with all major studios and major and independent distributors in fulsome attendance; competition for awards is fiercely contested.

Said Paul Wiegard - Madman's Managing Director, "We are absolutely delighted with this result. Winning four AVSDA awards and being shortlisted for an additional award is a huge honour and is a testament to the talent and dedication of the entire Madman team."