Seattle-based Internet distributor AtomFilms has boosted its catalogue through a partnership with off-line short film distributor Forefront Films.

Forefront's library of short films will be added to AtomFilms own catalogue which has recently been expanded through a deal with the UK's Aardman Animation and with South Africa's Primedia Pictures to acquire UK broadcaster Channel 4's acclaimed Short And Curlies series.

As part of the Forefront collaboration, the company's two founders, Megan O'Neill and Harold Warren, are set to join Atom's executive team based in the New York office. Atom plans to use their expertise to support independent filmmakers by offering a broader and more diverse distribution platform. O'Neill and Warren have licensed short films to 60 broadcasters from around the world including Canal Plus, Channel 4, ZDF and HBO.

AtomFilms backers include both Warner Bros Online (soon to be part of AOL) and former Universal Studios chairman Frank Biondi.