TORONTO – Motorola Canada Ltd. is using its sponsorship of the Toronto International Film Festival to promote the latest high-tech trend: mobile movies.
Filmmakers are starting to create bite-sized content for cell phones, and Motorola says it’s gaining respect among artists.
“Video-capture technology is a popular feature on Motorola handsets and is an important part of our current and future mobile technology development,” says Colleen McClure, Director of Marketing, Motorola Canada. “This year’s Toronto International Film Festival provides the perfect opportunity to express our own support for the art and technology of movie-making. Through our sponsorship program, Motorola is interacting directly with up-and-coming talent, current filmmakers, and passionate film fans, all who share our enthusiasm for film.”
Motorola is sponsoring the MotoReel Contest, a student short film challenge. Film students at universities and colleges across Canada were asked to submit a public service announcement addressing the issues of mobile phone courtesy and film piracy. The winning selection will be premiered at the Sept. 8 Opening Night Gala and screened as a trailer before each film at this year’s festival. “The winner of the MotoReel Contest will gain unprecedented audience exposure for a Canadian student filmmaker at the festival,” says Heather Sinclair, the festival’s director of sales and marketing.
The sponsorship also includes the MotoFilm Project. Motorola gave filmmakers Motorola V635 handsets to experiment and develop “MotoFilms” based on the concept of a self-portrait.
Motorola reps will also be demonstrating new mobile phones on the streets in front of theatres where audiences are screening films.
