LONDON, September 29 /PRNewswire/ --
- Partnership to create a new forum for short films at the world's biggest communications industry event
The GSMA, the global trade group for the mobile industry, and Mofilm, a pioneer of short films for mobile and on-line distribution, today announced the first Global Mobile Film Festival at the Mobile World Congress in 2009, with an official 'call for films' to international film-makers today.
The Global Mobile Festival follows the success of the GSMA's previous collaborations with the Sundance Film Festival to create the Global Short Film Project, which debuted at the Mobile World Congress in 2007; and this year, showcasing with Mofilm, the work of short film directors representing the Cannes, Locarno, Shanghai and Sundance Festivals supported by the actor, director and film maker Robert Redford and the actress, writer and director Isabella Rossellini.
"We have found there is avid interest and appeal in the idea of showcasing short films on the mobile screen, not just in terms of the ability to reach audiences in a very personal and direct way, but also in the potential scale and the viral nature of the medium," said Michael O'Hara, Chief Marketing Officer of the GSMA. "There are already more than three billion screens in the hands of users, and with increasing sophistication of mobile broadband networks and rapidly evolving device capabilities, the time is right to create a festival devoted to small screen movies and to invite international film makers to participate for the first time."
Andy Baker, the Managing Director of Mofilm said "I'm delighted that what started as an experimental project with leading film makers in 2007 will now become a key part of the mobile and film industry calendar. Mobile represents a huge opportunity for content and we are proud to be working within both industries to showcase the very best talent, globally, for mobile."
The GSMA and Mofilm are seeking films up to five minutes in length, made both using traditional film making techniques by established and upcoming film directors, as well as films made using mobile devices themselves. Submission forms and films can be uploaded on-line at the Mofilm website http://www.mofilm.com from today until the deadline of November 28th 2008.
Films will be judged by an international jury of film, festival and mobile content experts, with the best films showcased at the GSMA's Mobile World Congress (http://www.mobileworldcongress.com), the world's largest communications industry event that attracts more than 55,000 visitors from the mobile, entertainment and many other industry sectors to Barcelona each February.
Mofilm with present Awards for the Best Film at the Congress, selected by a special jury of film directors and film festival executives.
About the GSMA:
The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade association representing more than 750 GSM mobile phone operators across 218 countries and territories of the world. The Association's members represent more than 3 billion GSM and 3GSM connections -- over 86% of the world's mobile phone connections. In addition, more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association's initiatives as key partners.
The primary goals of the GSMA are to ensure mobile phones and wireless services work globally and are easily accessible, enhancing their value to individual customers and national economies, while creating new business opportunities for operators and their suppliers.
For further information contact: Mark Smith Email: press@gsm.org
About Mofilm
Mofilm is a pioneer of content for mobile and online services, working with the mobile industry and film makers to promote exciting and usable services. Based in the UK, Mofilm has worked previously with the GSMA and leading film festivals and specialises in creating compelling 'in show' experiences, content distribution and provides a range of consulting services. See http://www.mofilm.com for more information.
Web site: http://www.mofilm.com http://www.mobileworldcongress.com
Ralph Cochrane of Mofilm, +44-207-193-2453, Ralph.cochrane@mofilm.com
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