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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
Palm Canada Launches Mobifest -- Canada's First Mobile Film Festival
TORONTO, March 1 - Palm Canada today announced the launch of
Mobifest -- Canada's first mobile film festival, created to recognize
excellence and innovation in made-for-mobile films. The international
competition is the first film festival of its kind, in that it is exclusively
mobile - all film content is shot and created specifically for the "small
screen" - either for a mobile phone, smartphone or other handheld device.
Online voting will determine the winners in each of three categories from a
pool of finalists that have been pre-chosen by a panel of judges.
All finalists will have their movies showcased at the awards event in
Toronto on May 17, 2006.
"Canada is a world leader in short-film development, boasting a pool of
directorial talent that runs quite deep," said Romen Podzyhun, chairman and
chief executive officer of Movieola - The Short Film Channel. "We are now in
the midst of a cultural phenomenon, where creative bursts are colliding with
everyday technology. It is time to show audiences at an international level,
as well as our industry peers, that these opportunities should be embraced and
celebrated."
Innovative filmmakers across Canada, such as Toronto's Genie-nominated
David Ostry and Mieko Ouchi from Edmonton, have committed to supporting
Mobifest with film submissions, yet the call for entries is wide open to all
who have something to say in 60 seconds or less. Invitations will be sent to
student film programs at the Vancouver Film School, Sheridan College, Seneca
College, and elsewhere to encourage widespread participation.
"With today's advanced smartphone and mobile technology, consumers are
now getting a taste of innovative entertainment content that was once only
available to them at home or in a theatre," says Janice Keay, director of
marketing, Palm Canada. "To help take mobile innovation to the next level,
Palm saw an opportunity to give independent filmmakers a voice, and we're now
on the hunt to identify the first Spielberg of the small screen."
Judged by leading industry experts representing key segments of the
Canadian entertainment industry, the awards honor the highest achievements in
mobile film production based on mobile aesthetics, audience impact and degree
of creativity. 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 and edited exclusively on a Palm(R) Treo(TM) smartphone.
Award-winning films will premiere on Movieola - The Short Film Channel
and also 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.
"Canadians are increasingly demanding greater choice and flexibility in
accessing video content," said Mario Mota, a vice president at Decima Research
Inc. and communications industry expert. "Mobifest speaks to this growing
demand and the trend among entertainment providers to repurpose existing
content or develop unique content for multiple platforms, including mobile."
Entries will be accepted through April 30, 2006 and must be no longer
than one minute in length. There is no fee for entering or for multiple
submissions. The competition is open to filmmakers worldwide over the age of
16. Winners will be announced at the Isabel Bader Theatre on May 17, 2006 in
Toronto, Canada.
Palm Mobifest is a production of NowNow Corporation. For more information
on voting, judging criteria, sponsorship opportunities, rules and regulations,
or to enter online, please visit www.mobifest.ca.
About Movieola - The Short Film Channel
Movieola - The Short Film Channel launched in 2001, as the first of six
digital services to be offered by Channel Zero Inc. Movieola - The Short Film
Channel presents the very best of action, comedy and drama films that can all
be enjoyed in under 40 minutes. It's A Feature Film Experience in A Fraction
of the Time(TM).
About NowNow
NowNow Corporation is a producer and distributor of made-for-mobile
movies, based in Toronto, Canada.
About Palm, Inc.
Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM), a leader in mobile computing, strives to put
the power of computing in people's hands so they can access and share their
most important information. The company's products for consumers, mobile
professionals and businesses include Palm(R) Treo(TM) smartphones, Palm
LifeDrive(TM) mobile managers, and Palm handheld computers, as well as
software, services and accessories.
More information about Palm, Inc. is available at http://www.palm.com.
Palm, Treo and LifeDrive are among the trademarks or registered
trademarks owned by or licensed to Palm, Inc. All other brand and product
names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or
services of, their respective owners.
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