Luxury automaker Lexus has invited filmmakers to take part in its third annual Lexus Short Films Series, to be hosted in collaboration with the Weinstein Company.

 

For the first time ever, the series is open to submissions from aspiring directors from the worldwide filmmaking community, said a statement.

 

Emerging filmmakers can submit a short film of 20 minutes or less as an example of their past work for consideration through www.lexusshortfilms.com, in collaboration with Withoutabox, a leading service for film festivals and filmmakers.  

 

Chris Buxton, general manager at Al-Futtaim Motors, Lexus, said: “Lexus’ mission through Lexus Short Films is to support up-and-coming filmmakers, and recognize their work on an international stage.

 

“The large number of short films produced in the UAE over the last decade is testament to the amazing talent the UAE possesses and we believe this initiative provides the local film community a unique opportunity to bring their imagination to life, on an international level.” 

 

This year’s theme is “Anticipation” – a word that is a provocative and nuanced thought starter, which provides filmmakers an innovative platform for their imaginations, said a statement.

 

The filmmakers have been invited to interpret the meaning for their own narrative and to tell a story based around their vision, it said.

 

The submissions will be accepted through to October 25, after which four finalists will then be selected and announced during the closing ceremonies at the Napa Valley Film Festival, US, on November 15. 

 

The production of the films will begin in December.

 

The four global finalists will direct short films that will be produced courtesy of The Weinstein Company. 

 

The films will receive promotional theatrical distribution, as well as participate in a tour of top film festivals around the world. Filmmakers will also receive an at-home filmmaking and editing suite. 

 

The filmmakers will return to the 2016 Napa Valley Film Festival where all four films will be screened together for the first time in a world premiere event.

 

To be eligible, the writer/director must be 18 years of age or older; and have written and directed at least one short film that has been accepted to a film festival or be a film student currently enrolled in film school; have never directed a feature film; be able to write & speak in English; be eligible and available to work from November 15 to December 15 next year; be eligible and able to travel to the US; not be a member of any guild or union that would govern entrant's writer or director services (such as WGA, DGA, etc.); and not have pre-existing deal with another film or TV studio.

 

The writer/director teams may submit but all members of the team to meet all submission criteria. - TradeArabia News Service