American Express to Play Major Role at Tribeca Film Festival and Encourage Further Revitalization of Lower Manhattan.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 2003

American Express 

As Official Card of the Tribeca Film Festival, American Express(R) to

Bring Downtown Flavor to Film, Food, and Fun for Film Fans, New

Yorkers and Cardmembers

American Express (NYSE:AXP), the founding sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival, will play an integral role in the events and promotions surrounding the upcoming 2003 Tribeca Film Festival coming to Lower Manhattan from May 3-11, 2003. The numerous cultural, educational and civic events during the nine-day festival are designed to celebrate the movies and spirit of New York City and showcase some of the entertainment industry's best work - all while helping to revitalize Lower Manhattan.

"American Express is proud to be the founding sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival which is bringing great energy to lower Manhattan," said John Hayes, executive vice president, Global Advertising and Brand Management of American Express. "When our Company moved back downtown, we made it clear that we are committed to this community - what better way to demonstrate our commitment than to bring world-class entertainment to New Yorkers and movie fans from around the world."

"We are thrilled to have American Express as our founding sponsor. Their strong commitment to downtown and their willingness to seek creative ways to help re-vitalize the neighborhood after September 11th have made them an invaluable partner. We absolutely could not be where we are today without the terrific support of American Express," said Jane Rosenthal, who co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival with Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff.

For All Fans:

On-site, American Express will offer various elements to help make festival-goers' and Cardmembers' experience more enjoyable with special Information Centers that will provide general festival information, NYC movie maps, Tribeca Film Festival-branded souvenir attendee "credentials", along with complimentary popcorn for the general public. These Information Centers will be located within high-traffic locations en route to Tribeca Film Festival events from May 5-11.

American Express is also providing free shuttle bus service for festival attendees from key mass-transit entry points of the Tribeca area to many of the general screening venues. Shuttles will run from May 6-11, and will stop at festival venues along Chambers and Greenwich Streets.

On April 21, American Express will launch an online Screening Room that will allow everyone to get a taste of the festival from their PCs through film trailers and an interactive map. Close to 100 filmmakers have submitted film clips of all genres for the Web experience, including documentary, drama and shorts. On April 28, an Interactive Movie Map will be added to the online experience. Users will be able to navigate around New York City, find film venues, get restaurant deals--and watch streaming clips of famous movies shot at downtown NYC locations. Those on the go will be able to download the Web site to their PDAs via beaming stations placed throughout the city. Plus, "paparazzi" will greet festival attendees and take their pictures on site. These festival-goer photos can then be retrieved online at www.americanexpress.com/tff and e-mailed to friends and family.

Festival attendees are also invited to experience the American Express "Rewarding Lives" exhibit of Annie Leibovitz photographs at any time before or after they see the movie screenings, or to make it a destination visit on its own. The unique environment created for the exhibit will allow the public to wander through the space and surround themselves with images of people who have defined achievement in film and other categories. The display will house more than 70 Annie Leibovitz portraits. "Rewarding Lives" will be located in the American Express lobby at the World Financial Center, across from where many film festival screenings and events will take place. The exhibit will be open to the public daily from May 3-10, and will be easily accessible on the free American Express festival shuttle bus.

For families, a fun-for-all-ages street fair will highlight the Tribeca Family Festival presented by American Express on Saturday, May 10. The full-day program will feature a carnival-like atmosphere with entertainment, food and activities on Greenwich Street, including a special American Express activity center where kids can get their own Festival credentials, and make customized t-shirts and photo stickers.

For American Express(R) Cardmembers:

Early Ticket Sales: From April 21-26, American Express Cardmembers will be able to purchase advance Tribeca Film Festival general screening, select screening and panel discussion tickets, along with ticket packages, before the general public can do so. On April 25, New York City area residents (south of Canal Street) can purchase tickets at a $2 discount, and on April 27, general ticket sales will begin. Tickets can be purchased by calling (866) 265-TIXX, online at www.americanexpress.com/tff or directly from the Festival Box Office at 387 Greenwich Street.

Double Membership Rewards(R) Points: From May 3-11, American Express Cardmembers enrolled in the Membership Rewards program can earn double points on all purchases made with eligible enrolled Cards at merchants below Canal Street.(*) For full details, please visit www.americanexpress.com/tff beginning April 28.

Special Restaurant Program: From May 5-10, American Express in conjunction with NYC & Company, presents the Tribeca Film Feast, where 35 of downtown New York City's top restaurants, will offer American Express Cardmembers exclusive $20 prix-fixe lunches and $30 prix-fixe dinners. For its second year, the location of participating restaurants has expanded beyond Tribeca into Nolita, Soho and Little Italy. Find full details about participating restaurants at www.americanexpress.com/tff, beginning April 28.

The Tribeca Film Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff to celebrate New York City as a major filmmaking capital, and to contribute to the long-term recovery of Lower Manhattan after the attacks of September 11, 2001. The First Annual Tribeca Film Festival made a tremendous economic impact on New York City. The event attracted more than 150,000 people from around the globe to Lower Manhattan for five days of film screenings, panel discussions, an all-day outdoor family festival and a free public concert. The organizers of the film festival estimate that the event generated more than $10 million for the City in production costs including approximately 3,600 hotel room nights booked south of Canal Street and approximately 90,000 restaurant meals served.

American Express is the Founding Sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival. Part of a multi-year relationship, the Festival is one of a series of events - large and small - that American Express is sponsoring to draw people to Lower Manhattan and help create a sense of excitement in the area. American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel, network, and financial services provider founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking. For more information about the Company, visit www.americanexpress.com.

For more information on the Tribeca Film Festival, call 1-866-941-FEST (3378), or visit the Tribeca Film Festival website at www.tribecafilmfestival.org.

(*) To be eligible to earn bonus points, Cardmembers must be

enrolled in the Membership Rewards program at the time of the

purchase. Bonus points will be credited to Membership Rewards

account within 6-8 weeks. Some Cards require enrollment in the

Membership Rewards program and the payment of an annual

program fee. Terms and conditions apply.