The British Academy of Film & Television Arts has launched a new short film competition ? 60 Seconds of Fame, run in association with Orange.
This new BAFTA competition has the support of BBC Nations and Regions and the Regional Screen Agency network and is open to anyone aged 16 or over. Shortlisted films will be shown by each of the 15 BBC Nations and Regions and, following a public vote, one winner from each area will win two tickets to The Orange British Academy Film Awards in 2007. The overall winner will be announced and have their film featured as part of the BBC One broadcast of the ceremony.
As the name suggests, budding film makers are invited to submit a 60 second short film based on the theme ?Celebrate?, to reflect BAFTA?s 60th birthday and Orange?s 10 year partnership with the Academy.
Designed to promote creativity, 60 Seconds of Fame is an innovative competition that aims to give the general public the tools and ?know how? to create their own 60 second short. Anybody aged 16 or over can enter the competition and, to help filmmakers achieve the right look, editing software, soundtracks and guidance can be found on www.orange.co.uk/bafta.
It?s easy to enter by uploading a film online at www.orange.co.uk/bafta. The deadline for entries is 4 January, 2007.
To drive this initiative, BAFTA has organised short film masterclasses to take place across the country. Hosted by exciting filmmakers and covering directing, producing and editing, these masterclasses will be filmed and video podcast on www.orange.co.uk/bafta to enable everyone to benefit from expert advice. All of the workshops are free but tickets are limited and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis by emailing 60secondsoffame?bafta.org. Mobile phone experts will be on hand at the masterclasses to answer questions on filming on a mobile.
To support the competition, respected British directors Ken Russell and Martha Fiennes, along with newcomer Julia Jason will create exclusive 60 second films for the initiative. These films will be available on www.orange.co.uk/bafta.
David Parfitt, Chair of BAFTA?s Film Committee, said: ?Every year we celebrate the very best in filmmaking at The Orange British Academy Film Awards. I am delighted that the general public will now have their chance to be part of the event. This is a fantastic opportunity to give the public the confidence to realise their creativity and to encourage them to actively participate in the filmmaking process. With workshops across the country being video podcast everyone has the opportunity to learn the techniques they need to make a short film.?
Hattie Evans, Head of Film at Orange, commented: ?We are giving all aspiring directors the opportunity to create a mini movie masterpiece of their own. It?s really exciting that the competition is open to everyone from budding directors with digital video cameras to students with video phones. This competition gives everyone the chance to be involved with BAFTA.?
Lord Puttnam CBE, said: ?In an era in which user-generated content is increasingly ubiquitous, this is an important and very timely initiative which will help inspire new creative talent across the UK.?
Notes to Editors
Workshop information:
The Digital Age - A Short Film Masterclass
Hosted by Richard Jobson
Date - Monday, 20 November 2006
Time - 6:30pm
Venue - Conference Room 4, BBC Scotland, Queen Margaret Drive, Glasgow G12 8DG
How to Produce an Award-Winning Short Film
Hosted by Kenton Allen and Mia Bays
Date ? Wednesday, 22 November 2006
Time - 6pm
Venue - Redhead Room, BBC Manchester, New Broadcasting House, Oxford Road, Manchester M60 1SJ
Editing - A Short Film Masterclass
Hosted by Lisa Gunning
Date - Saturday, 25 November 2006
Time ? 10:30am
Venue - Lighthouse, Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1UG
Make Your 60 Second Short Film For Free
Hosted by Simon Corris and Alison Reddihough
Date ? Wednesday, 29 November 2006
Time ? 6:30pm
Venue - Brighton Film School, Brighton Film Studios Ltd, 95 Ditchling Road, Brighton BN1 4ST
Working With Actors - A Short Film Masterclass
Hosted by Joe Wright
Date - Thursday 30 November, 2006
Time - 7pm
Venue - Run Run Shaw, BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LN
Directing - A Short Film Masterclass
Hosted by Stephen Woolley
Date ? Monday, 4 December 2006
Time - 6pm for 6:30pm start
Venue - Conference Room A, BBC Bristol, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR
BBC Nations and Regions
South Today, South - Southampton
Spotlight, South West - Plymouth
Points West, West - Bristol
South East Today, South East - Tunbridge Wells
BBC London News, London
Look East, East - Norwich
Midlands Today, West Midlands - Birmingham
East Midlands Today, East Midlands - Nottingham
North West Tonight, North West - Manchester
Look North, North East - Newcastle
Look North, Yorkshire - Leeds
Look North, Yorks and Lincs - Hull
Newsline, Northern Ireland - Belfast
Reporting Scotland, Scotland - Glasgow
Wales Today, Wales - Cardiff
About BAFTA
The Academy exists to support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image, by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the viewing public.
About Orange
Orange is a key brand of the France Telecom Group, one of the world?s leading telecommunications operators with more than 153 million customers on five continents. In the UK, Orange provides high quality GSM coverage to 99% of the UK population. At the end of September 2006, Orange had over 15 million active UK customers. Across the world, Orange has 71 million customers.
Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Personal Communications Services Limited. Further information about Orange and France Telecom can be found on the Orange website at www.orange.com or the France Telecom at www.francetelecom.com.
For more information:
Press Enquiries / Orange
John Parker or Naomi Li at M&C Saatchi:
Tel: 0207 544 3855/3687
Email: johnp?mcsaatchi.com or naomi.li?mcsaatchi.com
Press Enquiries / BAFTA
Vicky Grayson or Johanna Fernihough at Freud Communications
Tel: 020 7580 2626
Email: Vicky.Grayson?freud.com or Johanna.Fernihough?freud.com
