LOS ANGELES/Sept. 9, 2002 -- Having witnessed the explosive growth of Fireworks Entertainment Inc. over the past several years, Comerica Entertainment Group announced today that it has structured a $110 million syndicated corporate credit facility for the company. The deal represents one of Comerica's largest such credit lines to date and is also expected to involve other international financial institutions including co-arranger West LB (Westdeutsche Landesbank) and lenders Vereins Bank, Scotia Capital, US Bank and GE Capital Fund. The transaction is expected to close later this month.

Fireworks is the entertainment company behind numerous hit television series including "Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda," "La Femme Nikita" and "Even Stevens," box office smashes such as "Rat Race" and "Rules of Engagement," critically acclaimed films such as "The Believer," the 2001 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner and the upcoming ABC miniseries "A Wrinkle in Time." The new credit facility will build on the longstanding and successful financing relationship between Comerica and Fireworks as Comerica has already arranged more than $100 million in project financing loans for Fireworks. Net proceeds from the credit facility will primarily be used to finance growth including the development, production, acquisition and distribution of new film and television properties.

"This facility combined with the continued support of our parent company, CanWest Global Communications Corp., will allow us to continue with our aggressive growth strategy and move ahead with exciting, new film and television projects," stated Jay Firestone, Chairman and CEO of Fireworks Entertainment.

"This new credit facility is an important step in enhancing Fireworks' overall capital structure," stated Blake Tohana, executive vice president of Fireworks Entertainment. "It will strengthen our capital base and build on our successful banking relationship with Comerica as our financing partners."

"This marks an important step in the development of Fireworks," said John Maguire, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of CanWest Global Communications Corp. "It also helps diversify the sources of financing for CanWest and its subsidiaries."

"I am extremely proud of the team at Comerica that worked together to structure this credit facility," stated Morgan Rector, President of Comerica Entertainment Group. "It is a testament to the high regard the financial community has for Fireworks and its management team, that our bank group came together in such a tough market to arrange this facility."

"We are in the business of helping our clients reach their true potential. This facility is indicative of Fireworks' traction in film and television production. All of us involved in finalizing this deal believe that a great milestone has been reached for the bank and Fireworks," stated Amy Cotteleer, assistant vice president of Comerica Entertainment Group.

Comerica's Amy Cotteleer and head of syndication Glenn Harvey negotiated the deal with Fireworks' Blake Tohana and Greg Gilhooly.

About Fireworks Entertainment
Fireworks Entertainment is a subsidiary of CanWest Entertainment, a division of CanWest Global Communications Corp., and is one of the largest and fastest growing entertainment companies. Headquartered in Toronto and operating internationally with offices in Los Angeles, London and Dublin, Fireworks develops, produces, acquires and distributes an extensive slate of television programs and feature films throughout the world. The Fireworks library includes the action/adventure series "Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda," "Mutant X" and "Relic Hunter;" the children's programs "100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd" and "Caitlin's Way" for Nickelodeon; the upcoming series "Adventure Inc." and "Black Hole High" and miniseries "A Wrinkle in Time," and the award winning feature films "The Believer" and "An American Rhapsody," as well as "Rat Race," "Who is Cletis Tout?" and "Hardball." For more information on Fireworks Entertainment, please visit the company's web site at www.fireworksentertainment.com.

CanWest Global Communications Corp. (www.canwestglobal.com) is an international media company. CanWest, now Canada's largest publisher of daily newspapers, owns, operates and/or holds substantial interests in newspapers, conventional television, out-of-home advertising, specialty cable channels, and radio networks in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The Company's program production and distribution division and interactive media division operate in several countries throughout the world.

About Comerica Entertainment Group
Comerica Entertainment Group, a division of Comerica Bank-California, is the industry's leading specialty entertainment finance company. In the last three years, it has financed over 200 independent feature films including "Angel Eyes," "Heist," "Hardball," "Rat Race" and "Bless the Child." In addition, Comerica Entertainment Group plays an active role in the financing of television productions and production distribution companies, multimedia production companies and productions, as well as music labels and post-production companies. Comerica Entertainment Group is based in Beverly Hills, California. Comerica Bank-California is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated, a $51 billion asset bank holding company headquartered in Detroit. Comerica Inc. has banking subsidiaries in Michigan, California and Texas, banking operations in Florida, and businesses in several other states. Comerica also operates banking subsidiaries in Canada and Mexico.

Media Contact:
Lynda Dorf
(310) 248-6105
dorf@bwr-la.com
or
Amanda Gruder
(310) 550-7776
agruder@bwr-la.com
both of B/W/R for Comerica Entertainment Group
or
Jennifer Cyr
Fireworks Entertainment Inc.
(416) 360-4321
jcyr@firecorp.com