Nokia today announces a collaboration with the British Independent Film Awards and Raindance Film Festival to encourage new film making talent and explore the links between mobile phones and film.

The introduction of video technology on mobile phones opens the door to a new and exciting medium for the viewing and production of film. Whether you’re looking to take footage of family and friends or simply experiment with film, the opportunities offered by the combination of video and mobility are virtually endless.

Best British Short Film Sponsored by Nokia

To celebrate the merging of film and mobile phones Nokia is supporting the creation of a new award at this year’s 6th annual British Independent Film Awards – “Best British Short Film” sponsored by Nokia.

Short films are an essential starting point in any director’s film career and this award aims to celebrate the achievements made by short film makers and honour new talent. The award is also supported by the British Council. As and when the winner is invited to film festivals in other countries, the British Council will provide a bursary to help meet the costs associated with this.

Nokia Shorts

To further demonstrate its commitment to the film industry, Nokia is giving up-and-coming film makers the chance of a big break and encouraging people to experiment with mobile phones and film through the creation of the Nokia Shorts competition.

In the first competition of its kind, Nokia is looking for talented young film makers to submit 15-second short films made using standard digital video recording equipment. A short-list of the best 10, chosen by a panel comprised of film industry experts, will shown at this year’s 11th Raindance Film Festival and placed on the Nokia.co.uk website where members of the public can vote for their favourite.

The winner will receive training courses in the key aspects of film making at Raindance and also have the opportunity to make another short film, longer in length than 15 seconds and with a bigger budget, professional crew and professional film equipment.

“The introduction of video recording and playback facilities on mobile phones such as the Nokia 3650 is one of the most exciting developments in the mobile phone industry at present,” said Alison Brolls, head of marketing for Nokia Mobile Phones UK. “This is the first year of our collaboration with BIFA and Raindance and we hope this will really stimulate the link between mobile phones and film.”

“We’re delighted to have Nokia on board for this year’s British Independent Film Awards,” said Elliot Grove, Director and Founder of the British Independent Film Awards and Raindance. “Short films are, for most young directors, their first experience in making films and an essential first step in their career. Nokia’s endorsement of the new ‘Best British Short Film category’ and creation of the Nokia Shorts competition is a real boost to the industry in terms of recognising young talent. We look forward to working with Nokia on the Nokia Shorts competition and on a continued basis to support new talent in the film industry.”

For further information on the Nokia Shorts competition and to enter, please visitwww.nokia.co.uk/nokiashorts

The 6th annual British Independent Film Awards will be taking place in London on the evening of Tuesday 4th November 2003. The 11th Raindance Film Festival will be taking place at selected cinemas in London between the 24th October and 7th November 2003.

For further information, please contact the Nokia Mobile Phones UK Press Office on 020 7465 6431 or e-mail nokiateam@redconsultancy.com.