The Kushner-Locke Co has established a longterm partnership with San Francisco-based internet entertainment outfit ALWAYSi whereby it will distribute films represented by ALWAYSi in traditional offline channels.

Kushner-Locke will license the brand ALWAYSi True American Independent Cinema in international markets, creating a path from online film exhibition at ALWAYSi's website (alwaysi.com) to traditional distribution channels such as cable, satellite, broadband cable, DVD and other internet distribution outlets.

The new brand will include shorts and features selected from ALWAYSi's online library as well as winners of ALWAYSi's online film festivals. About a dozen films will be invited to participate in the first package of films to be offered under the deal.

ALWAYSi was established in March 1999 to provide exhibition opportunities via streaming media online and to maximise revenue opportunities for its film-makers. In Jan 2000, the company secured a financing package led by McBain & Gruber, which has an equity position in Kushner-Locke, and New Millennium Partners.