Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival Finalists to Shoot in Los Angeles; Avid and Panavision Partner for Feature Film Competition Phase

LOS ANGELES--Aug. 13, 2003--The Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival (Chrysler MDFF) wrapped its final phase, the Feature Film Competition, last week in Los Angeles as five finalists finished production of their competing projects, vying for a $1 million feature film production deal courtesy of Chrysler, Hypnotic and Universal Pictures. As part of their respective feature film concepts, each filmmaker is producing a five-minute scene featuring all-new Chrysler cars -- either the Pacifica or Crossfire sports coupe.

The five finalist filmmakers selected to compete in the Feature Film Competition in Los Angeles and their winning Extreme Films produced in New York City (which can be viewed at www.chrysler.com/filmfest) are:

-- Victor Buhler, Los Angeles, CA - One Man's Castle

-- Paul Cotter, Chicago, IL - Last Hand Standing

-- Tanja Mairitsch, Los Angeles, CA - The Fortune Teller

-- Stephen Marro, New York, NY - The Delivery Boy

-- Andrew Mudge, New York, NY - Gabriel Y Gato

With access to resources on the Universal Studios lot and the guidance of established industry mentors, each finalist developed a feature film production package. The packages include a working script, proposed cast, budget, movie poster and a fully produced scene from their script, based on a million dollar budget. Working from offices at Universal Studios, the filmmakers had access to equipment, props, sets, costumes, soundstages, and other valuable production resources courtesy of the Universal Studios Operations Group.

"We are excited to have accomplished directors such as Brett Ratner (Red Dragon, Rush Hour, Rush Hour 2), and Doug Liman (Go!, The Bourne Identity and Swingers, co-chairman, Hypnotic) helping the finalists create feature film scenes that can be used to promote the all-new Crossfire and Pacifica vehicles in an edgy and artistic way," said Bonita Stewart, Director, Chrysler Marketing Communications, DaimlerChrysler. "Chrysler has made an ongoing commitment to supporting the arts and helping foster creativity, and the Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival is a big part of that."

The 2003 Feature Film Competition mentors include some of Hollywood's top creative players, including screenwriter Steven Zaillian (Gangs of New York, Schindler's List), writer/director John Hamburg (Zoolander, Meet The Parents), President of Mandeville Films, Todd Lieberman (Bringing Down The House, USA Network's "Monk"), Daniel Pipski of Working Title Pictures (The Italian Job, Bridget Jones' Diary) and Ratner.

"I'm proud to be part of the Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival for the second year in a row," said Ratner. "It's a great opportunity to give back to the creative community and bring young filmmakers into the style and creativity of independent filmmaking."

In late August, the finalists will pitch their projects to a blue-ribbon panel of entertainment and automotive industry insiders. At the "Pitch" in Toronto on Sept. 8, the filmmakers will debut their scene for an invitation-only crowd. The year-long project concludes when the winner of the 2003 competition is announced and awarded the coveted $1 million production deal at the Chrysler MDFF awards ceremony.

"The Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival provides aspiring filmmakers with the kinds of resources they just couldn't get access to any other way," said Liman. "The five finalists have the chance to work with some of the best in the business, and they'll be able to carry those lessons throughout their careers."

The 2003 Chrysler MDFF began in January with the submission of over 700 short films. Twenty-five filmmakers were selected to participate in an online competition during which consumers had an opportunity to view and rate the films. From this round, 10 filmmakers traveled to New York City for the Extreme Filmmaking Competition, during which they had to cast, shoot, edit and premiere a five-minute Chrysler branded short film in only 10 days. This stage of the competition culminated on May 10, 2003, when each of the semi-finalist filmmakers premiered their original Chrysler-branded short film at the Directors Guild of America Theater in New York.

The Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival is a partnership between Chrysler, Hypnotic and Universal Pictures, and is one of the largest branded entertainment campaigns in the auto industry.

Filmmakers will be working with the latest and best filmmaking technology throughout the feature film phase of the festival. Each filmmaker shot his/her film using a Panavision 24P/high-definition digital camera, will edit it on an Avid(R) Media Composer(R) Adrenaline(TM) system, and master it in high definition on an Avid/DS HD system.

About Hypnotic

Hypnotic is a New York, Los Angeles-based branded entertainment company with a proven track record in traditional television and film development, entertainment marketing, and the distribution of short films and animations. The Company is leading the industry in developing brand-based content and marketing programs for the world's most innovative advertisers. Hypnotic offers its brand and agency clients a fully integrated solution, from entertainment strategy and creative development, to the production and distribution of branded content and programs. Investors include Vivendi Universal, Knowledge Universe, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and Windsor Media.

About Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid Technology, Inc. is the world leader in digital nonlinear media creation, management and distribution solutions, enabling film, video, audio, animation, games, and broadcast news professionals to work more efficiently, productively and creatively. For more information about the company's award-winning products and services, please visit: www.avid.com. Adrenaline, Avid, Avid Xpress, and Media Composer are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the United States and/or Europe.

Visit DaimlerChrysler's Media Services web site at www.media.daimlerchrysler.com.

Visit the Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival's web site at www.chrysler.com/filmfest.