In a bid to nurture artisticfreedom among "politically charged and socially conscious" film-makers a groupof independent LA-based directors, producers and investors has formed a newmovement called Cinema Libre.

Cinema Libre's ambitious plans include a production slate,international distribution network, the non-profit Cinema Libre Foundation -due to open later this year - and a film festival scheduled to launch in 2004.

First up on the agenda is the 6,500 sq ft Cinema Libre Studio inCanoga Park, California, which opened recently and offers office space, rentalequipment and technical services.

Organisers planto release five films each year. The 2003/04 slate is already shaping up andincludes union drama Munda from La Bamba director Luis Valdez; Soldier Child, a tale of a nine-year-old Ugandan rebelfighter to be directed by Neil Abramson (Ringmaster); and Nicole Ballivian'sPalestinian-Israeli drama Sleeping On Stones.