Ford & JWT Joins with Atom Films for Production of Original Short Features

              Emerging Filmmakers Featured at Sundance Festival

    PARK CITY, Utah, Jan. 24 Focus in Film Productions, a new
venture supported by Ford Motor Company and J. Walter Thompson, is
showcasing three independent filmmakers who are debuting their work for Atom
Films during this year's Sundance Film Festival.  Each director will be the
star of their own Atom premiere, with screenings on January 22, 23, and 25 at
the Atom Films "All Access" Lounge located at 427 Main Street, here in Park
City.
    While Atom will present all three shorts for the attending media, "gulp"
has been selected to premiere at the Official Sundance Screening Room on
January 24 at 8 p.m.  The film, by director Jason Reitman, depicts the rather
pathetic efforts of a young man to save his tropical fish, with humorous
difficulty.
    "Little Man on Campus," from director Morgan Lawley, tells the story of an
undersized, uncoordinated, high schooler who has trouble living up to his
father's macho-jock hopes.  At the end of the story, of course, he gets the
car (a new Ford Focus), the girl (a dazzling blonde), and becomes the hot new
star in school.  As a bonus in this one, there's a cameo appearance by Barry
Livingston, who played "Ernie" in the long-ago TV show "My Three Sons."
    "The Kiss" deals with just that ... and the situation gets pretty steamy.
Co-directors Anthony and Joe Russo build anticipation for several minutes
before the viewer gets an unexpected payoff.

    Ford/JWT/Atom Films
    There are plenty of laughs in all three "shorts" and, after debuting at
Sundance, all will be available for viewing at http://www.focusinfilm.com website.
The films were produced with support from Ford, with coordination from J.
Walter Thompson - Detroit.  In each, the Ford Focus plays a supporting role,
showcasing the resourcefulness, creativity and innovative thinking coming from
young and upcoming talent.
    "Ford and JWT are truly committed to the spirit of independent
filmmaking," says Jan Klug, marketing communications manager, Ford Division.
"From co-producing these three films and being a driving force, to promoting
the films online, Ford is dedicated to empowering emerging filmmakers to
create quality short films."
    "We continue to challenge ourselves as an agency to bring innovative
communication ideas to our clients," says JWT Communications Director Curt
Jaksen.  "The 'Focus in Film' project captures the essence of the brand by
enabling filmmakers, and expressing the experience of the Ford Focus."
    The http://www.focusinfilm.com website viewing theatre will have links to and
from the Focus youth destination site http://www.focus247.com where consumers can get
the latest news and information on entertainment, music, fashion, and
technology.