Friends Of The Earth’s Film Competition

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Charity, Friends of the Earth, is once again encouraging budding film-makers to come forward as they seek to hunt out talented directors for future campaigns. Organisers are asking participants to explore `Which bit of the Earth are you a friend of?' as creatively as they can in just 60 seconds. 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 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."

The pieces will be judged by industry professionals, Andrew MacDonald (Trainspotting Producer) and David Sproxton of Aardman Animation. Further awards are available for the winner of the People's Choice, voted for by the public, and the Special Commendation prize, to 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.

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 then be forwarded to Filminute for consideration for the Filminute 2008 shortlist.

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." 2008’s overall winner was an animation entitled Polar Bears, the piece has since received over one million hits on YouTube.

Andrew MacDonald said of the competition: "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." Entries must be received by 22 August 2008. For more information visit www.foe.co.uk/oneminute