Hasta La Ideas

For the fourth year running Virgin Media is offering British film makers the opportunity to win up to £30,000 to produce their next film, along with executive production courtesy of the British Film Institute (BFI).

As part of Virgin Media Shorts, 12 shortlisted films will be selected to be converted to 35mm and shown in Picturehouse and independent cinemas nationwide. The films will be shown in rotation throughout the year before main features at the cinemas. (Shown above are the specially commmissioned posters for last year’s winners that were displayed at the BFI.)

The judges’ favourite overall walks away with up to £30,000 to produce their next film, while the ‘People’s Choice’ recipient gets thousands of pounds worth of new equipment.

This year’s panel of judges includes acclaimed directors Paul Greengrass (United 93, The Bourne Ultimatum) and Mat Whitecross (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, The Road to Guantanamo) and the actor John Hurt.

The deadline for entries is 12pm on July 7. For full details and to enter your work, visit the Virgin Media Shorts site here.

And for a taste of the standard you’ll be competing with, Luke Snellin received a BAFTA nomination for Mixtape, his 2009 winning entry, whilst Oscar Sharp’s charming Sign Language – last year’s winner – is shown below (and was incidentally shot just outside of CR Towers).