Sandy Mandelberger's marketing and promotion firm, International Media Resources (IMR), has launched an 'off the shelf' film festival sidebar service.

Festivals will be offered a series of new films, with a pre-printed, English-language catalogue, promotional materials and logistical support.

Mandelberger is currently putting together a seven-film bouquet of new films from Latin America and will be promoting this package to US film festivals by the Spring.

"Of the over 500 film festivals in the United States, fewer than 5% send representatives to international film festivals like Berlin", said Mandelberger. "Having a pre-programmed series and promotional materials available in one package, it allows even smaller events access to important international films."

In a separate initiative, IMR is putting together packages of corporate sponsors for festivals. "The film business needs new energy and new sources of funding .... the business world is largely untapped and will figure more prominently in the future of the film world."