Amazon goes to Hollywood with film deal Amazon, the largest online retailer, is going to Hollywood after striking its first deal for film rights to a best-selling novel. It is expected to team up with a Hollywood studio and producer after it acquired the screen rights to the The Stolen Child, a fantasy tale by first-time author Keith Donohue. As part of the agreement, Amazon pledged that it would market the film and its subsequent DVD on its website. The deal comes during speculation that Amazon is poised to broaden its film amtitions by introducing a new video download service in conjunction with major Hollywood studios. Amazon said it did not intend to co-finance the film, but that the company's brand, retail expertise, and customers around the world could make it an ' extremely valuable partner in the marketing and distribution of this film.' Amazon has this year increased its involvement in video programming on its website, launching a weekly interview programme with artists and authors. In 2004, the company also produced five short live-action films on its websites, featuring famous actors, which it used to promote its credit card and the range of goods available on its US site. Another asset Amazon could bring to the film-making process is the consumer research compiled by its website. Based on its sales data, for example, Amazon would be well positioned to target the film at customers who have read the book and others like it, or bought similar DVDs from the site. The deal also reflects the growing presence of non-traditional producers in Hollywood.