Archived press release

Morph comes out of retirement for One-Minute green film competition

24 July 2007

Morph, the 80's kids TV favourite, has come out of retirement to promote a one-minute green film competition [1] being organised by Friends of the Earth with Filminute [2]. The animated clay man first became famous making minute-long cameos in Tony Hart's BBC art series `Take Hart'. In a 30 second promo for Friends of the Earth `Eco-Morph' gives tips on going green [3] and calls on filmmakers to enter a one-minute environmentally themed film competition called One Minute with Meaning.

Filmmakers, animators and designers have four weeks left to submit their one-minute green films which can include re-cutting existing films or new productions [4]. Shortlisted entries will be judged by a prestigious panel of experts including David Sproxton (creator of Morph and Eco-Morph and one of the co-founders of Aardman Animation creators of Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run and Flushed Away), Lord Puttnam and Andrew Macdonald. The winning film, which will be selected from a 25 film shortlist, will have gain great exposure and win Avid editing software and free post-production. Entries must be submitted by midnight on 20 August 2007.

Tony Juniper, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth

"One-minute green films are a fantastic way to channel some of UK's creative talent into communicating environmental issues. We hope these films will inspire others to get involved and help to protect this beautiful planet that we all live on."

David Sproxton, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Aardman Animation said:

"Getting a message across succinctly and swiftly is crucial in these fast moving times. Being clear and simple is the way to go especially with important ideas like helping humanity preserve living conditions across the planet. Be original and be imaginative."

The panel of expert judges includes:

• Lord Puttnam: Oscar-winning producer and long standing ambassador of commercial British film.
• Andrew Macdonald: Film Producer. Credits include Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, Sunshine and 28 Days Later.
• David Sproxton: Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Aardman Animation, renown for a number of animated films including Chicken Run.
• Dilly Gent: best known for her work as Radiohead's Creative Director.
• Neil Goodlad: Managing Director of leading advertising agency CHI & Partners
• James Mullighan: Creative Director of Shooting People - the world's leading community of independent filmmakers
• Tony Juniper, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth

All eligible green entries are being hosted on Friends of the Earth's You Tube channel www.youtube.com/friendsoftheearth, where the public will be called on to vote for their favourite one-minute green film in September. All eligible entrants/green films will be forwarded to Filminute for consideration to the Filminute 2007 shortlist.

The prizes for winning will include

• Avid Xpress Pro software
• One years subscription to Showreel Magazine - The independent magazine for TV and Film Production
• 5 hours free post production*
• New or extension of membership with Shooting People (a membership community of over 30,000 independent filmmakers, sharing resources, skills and experience) for all short listed entries.
• An opportunity to shadow the production process*
• 6 month Prince Charles Cinema pass*

* These prizes are based in London, UK. Any travelling expenses incurred are excluded.

Notes

[1] The `One Minute with Meaning' competition encourages entries of a variety of genres including documentary, animation, experimental, fiction. Friends of the Earth will be looking for everything a good film or animation should be but in one minute - no more, no less. Visit www.foe.co.uk/greenfilm to find out more about Friends of the Earth's green-film competition. The competition was launched 30 April 2007.

[2] Filminute is the international one-minute film festival that showcases, awards and promotes the best one-minute films from around the world. Each September, shortlisted films compete for the jury-awarded BEST FILMINUTE and the audience-awarded PEOPLE'S CHOICE. Last year's festival generated submissions from 25 countries, and attracted audiences and voters from over 50 countries.

Filminute invites all filmmakers, animators, writers, artists, designers, creative directors and producers to visit the Filminute 2007 site. http://www.filminute.com

[3] In an attempt to inspire the staff at Aardman to be as environmentally aware as possible around the workplace,the Aardman Environmental Team came up with idea of resurrecting Morph starring in his very own 'Go Green' film.
View `Eco-Morph' online at Friends of the Earth's You Tube Channel: www.youtube.com/friendsoftheearth

[4] Early entries will qualify for summer screenings at various UK festivals and events.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust