LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Sept. 26, 2000-- Birken Interactive Studio today announced its partnership with AtomFilms to host and produce an online short film festival -- The Savage Sideshow.

The festival's goal is to level the playing field for filmmakers and increase awareness worldwide for short form entertainment. Savage Sideshow will launch in November as a spotlight on www.atomfilms.com. Submission information is available now at www.savagesideshow.atomfilms.com.

Filmmakers are invited to submit their films for review by a team of judges with expertise in the entertainment industry -- from actors and agents to producers and directors. Savage Sideshow will offer visitors the opportunity to interact in a made-for-Internet film festival. Winners will receive cash prizes, equipment and meetings with entertainment industry professionals.

``Birken Studios and Leonardo DiCaprio share Atom's vision that many, many talented artists are waiting outside of the traditional entertainment industry for access to an audience,'' said Heather Redman, AtomFilms' senior vice president of strategy and development. ``This partnership will give artists both direct access to an audience and, through Birken and DiCaprio, a powerful advocate and voice inside of Hollywood. The commitment of Birken and DiCaprio to bringing down the barriers to new talent is tremendously exciting.''

``For over a year, AtomFilms has brought short films beyond Europe where moviegoers have long enjoyed this form of entertainment,'' said Alexis Magagni-Seely, Birken's senior vice president of business development. ``When searching for a partner to produce Savage Sideshow, AtomFilms was the obvious choice because of its success in bringing next-generation entertainment to life on the Web.''

Novice and experienced filmmakers alike are asked to submit their short works for consideration in one of four Savage Sideshow categories: narrative, documentary, animation and alternative. To encourage the new revolution in digital filmmaking, entrants may submit films in 1/2`` tape or digital video. More details on submissions are available at www.savagesideshow.atomfilms.com.

About Birken Interactive Studio, Inc.

Birken Interactive Studio is an online entertainment company established by actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio. Birken has launched DiCaprio's official Web site www.leonardodicaprio.com and a virtual 3-D art gallery which exhibits works from the world of underground art. Currently under construction is the online environmental information channel aimed at educating the public on the often complex environmental issues in a creative way. All profits from these ventures will be directed to the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a difference for the future of our planet.

About AtomFilms

AtomFilms is a leading next generation entertainment company focused on redefining the way entertainment is created, distributed, marketed and consumed. AtomFilms has the largest catalog of award-winning animation and live-action entertainment available. A loyal supporter of independent filmmakers and animators, AtomFilms has built a platform for artists seeking worldwide distribution. AtomFilms markets and distributes high-quality short form entertainment to more than 80 partners and to audience's worldwide, with significant presence on major Internet sites, broadband services, television, airlines, home entertainment companies and more recently, handheld and wireless devices. A popular Web destination that is ranked among Media Metrix's top twenty entertainment sites, the two time Webby Award winner in Film and Broadband, AtomFilms was recently selected as the ``Forbes Magazine Favorite'' short film Web site. AtomFilms was also sited as one of the top ten most trafficked movie-related sites by Entertainment Weekly, and was rated ``Best of the Web'' for online entertainment by U.S. News & World Report. An independent company founded in 1998, AtomFilms has offices in Seattle, Los Angeles, New York and London. More information about AtomFilms can be found on the Internet at http://www.atomfilms.com.

     Sunshine Consultants for Birken
     Ken Sunshine, 212/754-6750
     smk775683@aol.com
     or
     Imagio for AtomFilms
     Kari Swartz, 206/625-0252
     karis@imagio.com