Awards Budding Young Film Producers Get Up Close and Personal with Film Star

Santa Barbara, CA, --(March 10, 2000)-- Teen Digital, a unique venue for aspiring young filmmakers at the Santa Barbara Film Festival is pleased to announce Jeff Bridges as co-host of the upcoming awards ceremony Saturday March 11th at 9:00a.m at the Riviera Theatre. The Finalists' films will be screened and winners announced with prizes awarded for excellence in categories such as Best Creative Concept, Best Computer Animation, Best Technical Achievement and Best of Santa Barbara to name a few. These digital films were produced, edited and/or enhanced entirely on desktop computers by thirteen- to nineteen-year-olds from all over the United States. Attendance at the screening and awards ceremony on Saturday morning is free to all film lovers on a seat availability basis.

This year's competition, dubbed "Teen Digital 2000" (www.teendigital.com), is a part of "Digital Day" during and in conjunction with the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which runs from March 2-12, 2000. "I started the Teen Digital Movie-making Competition six years ago with the intent to encourage young people to express themselves creatively in film and in order to provide a venue for recognition of early achievement," said John Wilczak, founder and Executive Director of Teen Digital. "I am very pleased that Jeff made time in his busy schedule to share with these young people his insights into the film industry and that he recognizes the importance of their accomplishments."

Long time Santa Barbara resident Jeff Bridges is well recognized in the industry. Bridges has made a name for himself with numerous award-winning performances including starring in one of the very first computer-animated films Tron. Bridges has been nominated for three Academy Awards, for his performances in The Last Picture Show, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot and Starman, for which he won a Golden Globe. Bridges' performances in The Fisher King earned him another Golden Globe nomination. Bridges has been seen in the Coen brother's The Big Lebowski - for which he received a Golden Satellite. Last month Bridges debuted his new CD "Be Here Soon" on his newly formed label Ramp Records. Check it out at www.jeffbridges.com.

"Teen Digital 2000" is thrilled to have the community support and recognition that these budding film producers deserve. Thanks to the generous efforts of the John Wilczak Family Foundation and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival for making it happen.