A newdigital service that claims to make life easier for buyers and sellers of filmsis being launched at this year's Berlinale.

Venture capital outfit Arts Alliance Media, which is anofficial partner of the Berlinale, is rolling out the Arts Alliance FilmNetwork (AAFN) - a digital network which allows films, trailers and promos tobe transported securely between producers, sales agents, distributors,festivals and exhibitors.

Aselection of key sales companies, including Bavaria Film International, CelluloidDreams, Fortissimo, Shochiku and The Works, will be using the AAFN to provideon-demand screening services in the European Film Market (EFM) to buyers.

For a fee,sellers can upload a film onto the network by providing a digibeta, betaSP orHD tape of the film to AAM. The sellercan also determine exactly who sees their film.

Buyers cansign on to the AAFN using a secure password and search for their desired filmfrom wherever they are in the world.They can then watch the film over a secure internet connection as longas permission has been given by the sales agent.

'Ournew service brings multiple benefits including improved speed of distribution,convenience, security and the opportunity to offer a complete package - thefilm, accompanying information and artwork,' said Fiona Deans, associatedirector, Arts Alliance Media.'The Arts Alliance Media Film Network means that distributors,producers, sales agents, festivals and exhibitors benefit from morestreamlined, efficient and cost-effective film logistics.'

ArtsAlliance Media has previously provided digital technology for film festivals inBirmingham, Cambridge, Edinburgh and Grimstad in Norway as well as to theCannes Film Market. It is also a majority shareholder in UK arthouse circuit CityScreen.