Archived press release

One minute film competition launches

11 June 2008

60 seconds to show which bit of the Earth you're a friend of

Budding filmmakers are being offered the chance to show their work to film industry greats, including Trainspotting Producer Andrew MacDonald and David Sproxton of Aardman Animation, following the launch of Friends of the Earth's one-minute film competition today (Wednesday 11 June 2008).

The two movie moguls will judge entries in this year's competition, during which the environmental charity is challenging budding filmmakers to explore the question `Which bit of the Earth are you a friend of?' as creatively as they can in just 60 seconds of film.

Two awards will be up for grabs as part of the competition, which closes on 22 August 2008 - one for the overall winner selected by the judging panel, and one for the People's Choice, voted for by the public. A Special Commendation prize will also be awarded to the best entry from a filmmaker under the age of 21.

The overall winner will be given a £4,000 budget to make a film with Friends of the Earth to support one of its high profile green campaigns.

This is the second year that Friends of the Earth has run a one-minute film competition in association with Filminute. One of the entries in last year's competition - a quirky animation titled Polar Bears - has so far received over one million You Tube hits. The winners of last year's competition are online at www.foe.co.uk/oneminute.

All eligible entries will be hosted on Friends of the Earth's YouTube channel www.youtube.com/friendsoftheearth, where the public will be called on to vote for their favourite one-minute green film in September. Films will be forwarded to Filminute for consideration to the Filminute 2008 shortlist.

Mike Childs, Head of Campaigns at Friends of the Earth, said: "Everyone has a favourite spot in the world - a bit of the Earth they are a friend of. This is a chance for budding and amateur film-makers everywhere to get creative and express their passion for the planet in just one minute.

"Our one-minute film competition is a great way to inspire people to think about environmental issues, while offering exposure and development for those who hope to make it big in the movie world."

Andrew MacDonald, Producer of Trainspotting said: "It's a challenge to squeeze any film idea into just one minute, but you can do it if you're imaginative. This year entrants will explore emotional attachment to a place - whether it's growing organic vegetables on an allotment or having your first kiss behind a bike shed. I'm sure the theme will unleash a host of creative possibilities."

John Ketchum, Filminute's Head of Jury said: "We're very excited to see what the 2008 competition will bring. Last year's competition generated some unique and powerful narratives which also made it to the Filminute shortlist."

Other jury members and additional prizes - including development opportunities within the film industry and film making equipment - will be announced in the coming weeks.

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 45 countries, and attracted audiences and voters from over 90 countries. Filminute invites all filmmakers, animators, writers, artists, designers, creative directors and producers to visit the Filminute 2008 site: www.filminute.com

Friends of the Earth will provide a detailed brief and will retain artistic control over the film.

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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