MINI FILM FESTIVAL 2006 OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS

Dubai, UAE. Submissions are now open for the MINI Film Festival 2006, a
short film competition aimed at encouraging and developing the
blossoming regional film community. Launched earlier this month by BMW
Group Middle East, submission for entries for the MINI Film Festival
2006 will close on November 2nd 2006. "At MINI we believe it's
important for young - and young at heart - people to be daring and
creative. The MINI Film Festival is open to everyone to express
themselves through film and it's easy to participate in - just grab a
video recorder and show off your vision!" said Guenther Seemann,
Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East. MINI Film Festival 2006
actively encourages entries of up to 15 minutes in length,
incorporating the 'Always Open' theme, from all Middle Eastern markets
and walks of life - whether you're a film or media student or an avid
amateur director! Judges will be looking for the most compelling live
action, animation, computer graphics or hybrid forays into short-form
with visual story-telling. First prize will be a trip for two to the
Cannes Film Festival 2007, with the winning film screened to a regional
audience in Dubai. Second place winner will be the proud recipient of
an Apple Mac Pro, with 30" Cinema Display screen and Final Cut
Studio 5.1 software. Third place will score a 3 month full-time
internship with a leading local film production institute, Filmworks. A
professional jury will select the top ten films to screen at an
exclusive invitation-only event at the XVA Gallery in Bastakiya on the
23rd of November. There will also be a 'People's Choice Awards' voted
by the attending audience, with the winner receiving €1000 from
the MINI Film Festival 2006. Screening criteria for all films will be
based on creativity, originality, script/or 'no' script, editing and
production, however all entries must abide by Islamic and local customs
with no nudity or political content. Films should be delivered on
the preferred format of DVD (any region); on DV; or on VHS. Films
should be up to 15 minutes in length and all entries must be
accompanied by a signed and completed entry form, available from
www.MINI-me.com. Applicants can submit their entries at the following
partner outlets - any AGMC/MINI showroom (Dubai, Sharjah or Ras Al
Khaimah), Five Green (Oud Metha), XVA Gallery (Bur Dubai), BMW &
MINI Lifestyle boutique (Jumeirah). Or by post or in person at the 9714
headquarters - Office 17, Floor 6, Wilson Building, Al Diyafa Road,
P.O. Box 73617, Dubai. For more information on the MINI Film Festival
2006, to sign up for the e:newsletter or to download an entry form,
visit www.MINI-me.com. - ends - For more information please contact:
Rana Jones, Corporate Comm. Manager, BMW Group Middle East Telephone:
+971 4 3132615 or fax +971 4 3300120 Email: Rana.Jones@bmw.com or
Sweety Darwish, Account Manager, MCS/Action Telephone: +971 4 390 2960
or Mobile : +971 (50) 473 7651 Email: sweety.d@actionprgroup.com