Tiscali Press Release - TISCALI AND DOGWOOF PICTURES PARTNER TO OFFER PAY PER VIEW INDEPENDENT FILMS

UK independent and Foreign language films can now reach a mass audience with broadband

Today, Tiscali UK, the leading internet and broadband company and Dogwoof Picture's digital arm, Dogwoof Digital, announce the formation of a strategic partnership. The partnership will see the companies work together on the distribution of selected films handled by Dogwoof Digital to Tiscali's sizeable Internet audience in the UK, on a Pay-per-View basis.

The first award winning UK indie film, to be announced shortly, will premier online and should be available to download from the Tiscali Cinema Club this summer. It is expected that Dogwoof will bring more of its intelligent independent and foreign films to Tiscali's broadband audience in the UK.

Richard Ayers, Portal Director and Editor of www.tiscali.co.uk says: "We have an intelligent audience and there is a huge demand for films that are difficult to get hold of or not available at all through you local video store. Dogwoof is ahead of the curve in understanding the potential of broadband to extend the distribution of its properties."

Andy Whittaker of Dogwoof says: "Tiscali is one of the most innovative companies in this area. It has supported emerging talent in the film industry through its short film programme and it has an established distribution platform, with integrated DRM.

He continues: "We see the Internet as a new film distribution channel with a lot of potential and endless possibilities. Dogwoof Digital will acquire quality films only and will work with Tiscali to give them the best possible "online release". We are now working on the creation of marketing & PR tools that will ensure each film's success."

A key driver behind the creation of Dogwoof Digital is to release a wider range of quality independent films. The number of films (foreign and local) that can be released theatrically in the UK is very limited compared to the amount of productions that get made in the world, and Dogwoof sees that the Internet offers a golden opportunity to release films that otherwise would never find a release in the UK.

Dogwoof Digital will pick different films from those they will be releasing theatrically as Dogwoof Pictures. "We will do everything in our hands to make the best possible Internet release for each picture, and will support the online release with all available resources such as theatrical showings, premieres, and DVD sales, where possible".

Ayers continues: "Broadband offers a fantastic opportunity to drive additional revenue and reach an audience that is hungry for different genres such as foreign films, martial arts, Film Noir, and classic back catalogue."

Tiscali has been very active in its support for films and entertainment generally. Tiscali UK hosts a monthly showcase for top class emerging music and you can view up to a dozen new short films a month free at tiscali.co.uk. It is also a major sponsor of this year's Raindance Film Festival, sponsoring a Tiscali Award for 'Best UK Short Under Ten Minutes from a First Time Film Maker'.

Elsewhere, Tiscali has sponsored both the Venice and Rotterdam Film Festivals and recently backed a major film in the Netherlands. Directed by Theo Van Gogh, 05/06, a film about the murder of the right wing Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn, debuted online and within hours, thousands of customers had paid 5 Euro and downloaded the movie to watch.