Submitted by Mike Grenville on Wed, 09 Jun 2004 16:19

Nokia is repeating the Nokia Shorts competition launched last year, to create 15-second films designed specifically to be played on mobile devices.

The competition, a collaboration between Nokia and Raindance, (an organisation that promotes independent film in the UK) is being championed by Mike Figgis, director of the Oscar-winning film, Leaving Las Vegas, is renowned for his own use of pioneering film formats including the acclaimed split-screen real-time feature, Timecode.

Mike Figgis (pictured)commented: "I am intrigued to see how ideas can be expressed in 15 seconds. This is not as easy as it sounds, it requires real film-making and a profound understanding of visual imagery. I am looking for poetry. The future is digital but a good idea will always be a good idea. "

From today film-makers can begin submitting their 15-second ‘micro-movies’. These can be made using standard digital recording equipment. All the entries will be viewed by a panel of film experts, who will select 10 finalists. These will gain widespread exposure through being screened at this year’s 12th Raindance Film Festival (1 – 10 October)

The short list will be shown on www.nokia.co.uk/nokiashorts where members of the public will be invited to vote for their favourites.

The winner of Nokia Shorts 2004 will have the chance to make another short film, longer in length and with a bigger budget, experienced crew and professional film equipment. Along with the two runners-up, they will also receive training courses from Raindance in the key aspects of film-making.

This year’s entrants will have a lot to live up to following the high quality of last year’s finalists. The shortlist spanned a range of genres and employed a variety of innovative film techniques. There was animation, art house and avant-garde as well as some hilarious black comedies – each executed within 15 seconds. Last year’s finalists can be viewed on the website.

According to Rob Glenny, whose black comedy The Final Performance of the Amazing Keith (pictured) scooped the top prize; “If you ask me what’s so exciting about short films, I can tell you in just over 14 seconds - it’s film-making in its most naked form. In 15 seconds even James Cameron and a ‘Titanic’ budget could get beaten by a great idea.”

“Nokia Shorts has quickly become one of the main talking points of people attending our courses,” said Elliot Grove, director and founder of Raindance. “Everyone’s busy thinking of their 15-second film! The key to a good entry is in being able to come up with a 15-second concept and not trying to cram a good idea into 15 seconds.”

The deadline for entries is 31 August 2004.

Entry details and specifications for this year’s competition will be available at www.nokia.co.uk/nokiashorts

www.raindance.co.uk