Broadband/phone company Tiscali is working with UK/Irish distributor Guerilla Films for the first free, on-demand premiere of a UK feature film. The UK romantic comedy January 2nd will be launched simultaneously online and via Tiscali TV.

The film will be out February 29 on tiscali.co.uk or to subscribers on Tiscali's digital TV service on the Movies Now channel.

Matt Winn directed the film about a birthday bash for thirtysomething couples. The cast features Dorian Healy, Ruth Gemmell, Jospehine Butler and Naomi Bentley.

Tiscali has previously worked on other groundbreaking film launches include EMR and The Road To Guantanamo.

Guerilla head David Wilkinson said: 'There are more blockbusters films being made than ever before, sadly this has squeezed out the small independent British film. It has become a David and Goliath struggle to try to put lower budget films before an audience, however, the Tiscali platform provides the ideal catapult to give January 2nd the launch it deserves.'

Hugh Williams, Executive Director, Content & Programming, Tiscali TV, said: 'The growing consumer appetite for on-demand TV and online movie downloads makes this kind of cross-platform launch an increasingly effective option, demonstrating the value recognised by progressive film-makers in identifying new multimedia platforms of distribution.'