TORONTO – One wonders how festival goers will gather to see these particular films – or if they have to gather at all.
Mobifest, which is billing itself as Canada’s first and only mobile film festival, is seeking submissions, or as the press release put it, the festival is "on the hunt to find the Spielberg of the small screen."
And they mean screens smaller than TVs.
Sponsored by Palm Canada, MobiFest aims to bring fame and notoriety to the emergent art of mobile or "pocket" films. The international competition is open to all filmmakers over the age of 16. The only stipulation is that films must be shot and created specifically for the "small screen" – either for a mobile phone, smartphone, video iPod, or other handheld device – and be 60 seconds or less in length.
Online voting will determine the winners in each of three categories from a pool of finalists who have been pre-chosen by a panel of judges. Winners will be announced at the Isabel Bader Theatre, in Toronto, Canada on May 17, 2006.
Awards for Mobifest 2006 will be given in three categories:
* Best Canadian Mobile Film – Entrants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
* Best of Festival – Films will be judged for originality and unique use of the medium.
*Best "Caught on Treo" – This special award recognizes innovation in movies shot exclusively on a Palm Treo smartphone.
Award-winning films will premiere on Movieola – The Short Film Channel – and have a special screening on Air Canada flights throughout the summer of 2006. The "Best of Festival" winner also will receive a mobile movie production package, valued at $1,500, and be invited to be part of the judging panel for Mobifest 2007.
Deadline for submissions is April 30, 2006. There is no fee for entering or for multiple submissions.
