Shirin Etessam's film is first on Internet
"Walls of Sand" becomes first modern feature film available for Internet viewing

COLLEGE PARK, MD, March 2, 1998 -- The Sync, an Internet audio/video broadcasting company, proudly announced Internet history had been made with the first modern feature film to be offered for viewing on the World Wide Web: Acclaimed 1994 American independent film "Walls of Sand."

This important debut ushers in a new era in entertainment: home video on the home PC, with feature films on demand at any hour of the day. Net surfers can watch Walls of Sand for free at The Sync's web site at http://thesync.com/ondemand.

Until now, no contemporary feature film has been available in its entirety for Internet viewing; The Sync has offered new short films and two classic silent films, "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" and "Nosferatu."

By presenting the 115-minute "Walls of Sand" on its site, The Sync has literally invented a new venue for the appreciation of contemporary feature films and also opens the doors for filmmakers who want to reach a global audience beyond traditional channels.

"For the longest time, people have said the Internet will be the future of cinema presentations," says Thomas Edwards, founder and president of The Sync. "Well, today the future is here. We are honored to present this unique film in this unique format and believe this will be the first of many, many new films which the cyberspace community will be able to enjoy."

"Walls of Sand", directed by Erica Jordan, is a moving story of an Iranian student (played by Shirin Etessam, who also co-produced and co-wrote the film with Erica Jordan) in the United States who is desperate for a green card. She takes a job as an au pair for a despondent mother suffering from agoraphobia, but soon finds herself in the middle of a bitter child custody battle between her employer and the woman's husband.

This pensive and moody drama has been seen in film festivals and theatrical engagements around the world, and it is now part of the digital world. "Walls of Sand" is the latest original online programming offered exclusive by The Sync, Inc., which provides Internet broadcast solutions, including consulting, on-site production of live events, encoding, and hosting of streaming audio and video.

If you would like to contact Shirin Etessam, email shirine@cnet.com

For more information, email info@thesync.com or contact The Sync, 4431 Lehigh Road, Suite 301, College Park, MD 20740; tel 301-806-7812.