Audi Sponsors the 2002 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 21 -- Audi of America, Inc. is proud to join this year's IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards as a principal sponsor. The awards ceremony is held annually on the Saturday before the Oscars, in a relaxed atmosphere at the beach in Santa Monica, California. Over 1,500 guests and members of the international press will gather at this year's event on March 23, 2002.

The ceremony will air live on the Independent Film Channel (IFC) at 5 p.m. EST and re-broadcast later that evening on Bravo at 10 p.m. EST. Audi will be tagged on Bravo's tune-in spots for the Awards Show in addition to receiving commercial slots during the March 23 ceremony broadcast. The Independent Spirit Awards are televised in millions of homes and covered internationally by the press. This incredible exposure has helped to promote the art of independent filmmaking to a much wider audience.

Audi also enjoys automotive exclusivity at this event and will take the opportunity to display its luxurious vehicles on-site and shuttle director John Waters to the event where he returns as Master of Ceremonies. Nicole Kidman and Ang Lee will serve as honorary co-chairpersons for this year's event, and many past Spirit Award nominees will return as presenters.

``Audi is proud to be partnered with an event that honors creativity and innovative thinking,'' stated Audi Event Marketing Manager Maria Nahigian. ``The awards celebrate performance and emotion which are two cornerstones of the Audi Brand, and these independent artists truly exemplify Audi's new communication theme: Never quit. Never do the expected. Never rest on your laurels. Never think great is good enough. Never Follow.''

This year's nominees for Best Feature are ``Hedwig and the Angry Inch,'' ``L.I.E.,'' ``Memento,'' ``Things Behind the Sun,'' and ``Waking Life.'' Best First Feature nominees are ``The Anniversary Party,'' ``The Believer,'' ``Donnie Darko,'' ``Ghost World,'' and ``In The Bedroom.''