Mobifest News

Capture the Moment Contest

Fri, Dec 18th 2009, 07:34

Attention Filmmakers,

Looking for a new way to share your films to mobile phones? Thwapr is a brand new free service that's going to revolutionize how mobile filmmakers can distribute their films. Thwapr allows you to immediately share video and photos between mobile phones or from a computer to mobile phones. It even goes further than just sharing a moment or a film it allows comments as well.

This service fits perfectly with what Mobifest is all about: Mobile Films. That's why we think that you, as filmmakers, will be interested. In fact we liked it so much that we have worked with Thwapr to create the 'Capture the Moment' contest to celebrate the launch of this innovative service. We will be giving away a prize for the Best 'Thwap'(i.e.short shot-on-mobile video). Originality and shooting style count. Blow us away with something we've never seen before and your best cinematography and you can win your choice of an iPhone 3GS, Nokia N86, or Motorola Droid. There are even prizes for sending videos to the most phones..and even the most bugs

As filmmakers we're sure you will be able to come up with very fun and interesting videos to share with other users of Thwapr..and it's a great way for you to showcase your mobile filmmaking talents!

If you would like to enter the contest -and you are from the US or Canada. Please go to http://thwapr.com/contest for more details, then register and send me an email confirming your participate--or send an email to contest@thwapr.com

You have until January 15, 2010 to enter.


Tags:
By Christina

Nokia Mobifest Facebook Contest!

Thu, Aug 20th 2009, 09:37

Attention Filmmakers:

A whole new and different film making challenge is taking place on our Facebook page.

If you’re not already a fan of Mobifest on Facebook, just click here.

Mobifest wants to learn about your neighbourhood. We get a wide selection of films from around the world every year and now we want to learn more about where the filmmakers that submit them come from.

Contestants must submit a short film, no more than 90 seconds excluding credits, which showcases their neighbourhood however they see fit.

Films must be submitted via www.Mobifest.net with “My Neighbourhood: your location” as the description.
The films will then be posted on the Facebook page on Wednesday October 7th 2009 when the voting process will begin. The judges will be taking Facebook comments into consideration while selecting a winner. The winner will then be announced on Friday October 16th 2009.
The winner will receive a brand new Nokia E71 Smart Phone and be automatically entered into the “Best of Festival” category in this year’s Nokia Mobifest Film Festival where the grand prize is a trip for two to the Nokia Theatre in LA and $2000 cash.

Good luck filmmakers! We’re looking forward to seeing what you will come up with.

Tags:
By Christina

Nokia Mobifest Call for Entries Press Release

Mon, Jul 13th 2009, 13:15



ATTENTION FILMMAKERS:


NOKIA MOBIFEST TORONTO ’09 - CALL FOR FILM ENTRIES
Submission Deadline: September 28th, 2009


TORONTO, July 6th, 2009 – Nokia Mobifest Toronto, Canada’s premier made-for-mobile film festival, is now accepting submissions for its fourth annual event. Filmmakers – from amateur to professional – are invited to submit original films of 90 seconds or less for programming consideration. Entry is free and open to both local and International content creators, aged 18 or older. All genres are welcome and entrants may create and edit video using any equipment of their choice. Submissions will be accepted until 11:59pm EST on Monday, September 28th, 2009. Festival details and complete online submission instructions can be found at: www.mobifest.net. All approved entries will be posted on the Mobifest website for public viewing.


Set to culminate with a finalist screening in Toronto on November 3rd, all official selections will be eligible to win in one of three Nokia Mobifest Toronto award categories. The first award, Shot on Mobile, will go to the entry that best exemplifies compelling and creative content specifically shot using mobile technology. The festival’s second award will be given out to the top Animation entry, and the final honour will be awarded to the winner of the prestigious Best of Festival category. An esteemed industry jury will select the award winners by screening each submission on a Nokia device.


Why Enter?
• Have your work viewed and judged by influential film industry professionals!
• Win fantastic prizes and gain valuable recognition!
• Promote the mobile content movement and align yourself with technology leaders!


“Nokia is thrilled to sponsor this unique film festival. Mobifest provides a creative and exciting way for people to use their mobile devices, which is a perfect fit for Nokia where we strive to offer the devices, software, and services that make our customers’ lives easier and more fun,” said Richard White, General Manager, Nokia Canada.

About Nokia Mobifest Toronto
Now in its 4th year, Nokia Mobifest Toronto is Canada’s first and largest International film festival dedicated solely to recognizing excellence and innovation in made-for-mobile films. Produced by the Mobigardens Corporation, Nokia Mobifest Toronto is committed to furthering the development and promotion of mobile content globally.


About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. We make a wide range of mobile devices with services and software that enable people to experience music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games, business mobility and more. Developing and growing our offering of consumer Internet services, as well as our enterprise solutions and software, is a key area of focus. We also provide equipment, solutions and services for communications
networks through Nokia Siemens Networks. www.nokia.ca


- 30 -


Media Contact: Sue Holland / 416.729.7834 / sueh@mobifest.net

Tags:
By Christina

Paella with 2009 Mofilm winner Frank Chindamo

Sun, Feb 22nd 2009, 11:04



In one of the tastiest filmmakers lunches to date, Mobifest had the privilege of lunching with this years Mofilm winner, Producer and mobile filmmaking pioneer Frank Chindamo. Minutes before chowing down vegetarian Paella with the fest, Frank had just won a new car! A spanking new Chevy Cruse...so new it isn't even finished yet. He still needs to figure out some important details, for example how to share the car with co-creators Terry Rossio and Jocelyn Staymat. Los Angeles is a big city, so some type of carpooling may be required.

Frank won the event with "English as a Second Language" a dating romp from his Turbo Dates series. Franks company Fun Little Movies is planning to work with Mobifest on future activities. It was a happy day in Barcelona, and Frank is pictured hear phoning his wife with the big news.

Tags:
By Duncan

Mobifest and EcoFact's Michael Evask

Thu, Dec 4th 2008, 09:16



EcoFact - Napkins



Michael Evask joined Mobifest at our office, this week for a visit and some good ol' fashioned networking.

As we walked around and schmoozed with some of the tennants in our Eco friendly pad, the Centre For Social Innovation, Michael shared how he came up with the first EcoFact. Turns out he was on vacation, driving along the beach, when he heard a radio DJ say that the average American uses 6 napkins a day. He couldn't believe it, 6 napkins times 300 million people meant that 1.8 billion napkins were being used every single day. Wow, that's a lot of napkins. Using his production company's resources, he created the very first Ecofact and now has 6 more in post production.

Now, Michael is looking for a way to keep EcoFact going and growing... Good Luck Michael!

Tags:
By Christina

Mobifest Toronto 2008

Thu, Nov 20th 2008, 11:23



Thank you mobifest!



Despite the first snow fall of the season, Mobifest Toronto went of without a hitch. The brave souls who weathered the storm enjoyed a collection of international mobile films, which won awards at festivals in Hong Kong, France and Brazil, in addition to the 37 Mobifest Finalists.

The winner of the first ever Green Scene category, Gilbert James' Urban Growth , was the only winning filmmaker in attendance and accepted his award from Candida Paltiel, CEO of Planet in Focus .

The other winners; Felipe Cardona of Columbia winner of the Shot on Mobile category, Helen Jackson from the UK who won best Animation and Peter Vadocz of Hungary won Best of Festival with his Mobile Postcard Series, all sent in virtual acceptance speeches.

Thank you to all of the filmmakers, sponsors and international partners that contributed to the night's success.

Tags:
By Christina

Tutti Matti with Midi and Lesley

Thu, Aug 21st 2008, 08:22



Mobifest lunched with artist and filmmaker Midi Onodera for some o-so-fine Italian this week. Midi brought her pal-protege Lesley Loksi Chan Lesley, a graduate from York U's film program. They both enjoyed a plate of pasta.

Midi's art includes fun. She often plays with toys to make her short films employing devices like the Nintendo Game Boy camera and the Tyco video camera help her to create her award winning style.

Midi is now working on a collaborative DVD which will include original video works inspired by the work of the Aiko Suzuki. She has roped-in a talented crew for the project including composer Ann Southam, Author/Poet Joy Kogawa and artist Grace Channer to work with her on the project.

And in her spare time...Midi has also been releasing a film a day on her website. Wow Midi get to work why don't you!

Tags:
By Christina

Zach Math from his iPhone

Tue, Aug 19th 2008, 11:39



Mobifest had a mobile lunch with Zach Math on his trusty iPhone. Well, actually his not so trusty iPhone; Zach's had a few ringer related issues lately. He mentioned that he felt forced to upgrade his mobile hardware after missing meetings by not receiving email while on the go. And boy, is he on the go.
Zach began his career in Toronto, directing commercials, and eventually moved to LA where he has worked on ad campaigns for Burger King and Orkin. As expected, Zach has picked up some skills on the West Coast, admitting "LA has taught me how to pee in a bottle when stuck on a freeway". Although an important skill, we think the most influential LA experience Zach spoke about was meeting Lesily Chilcott, producer of "An Inconvenient Truth", who inspired him to pursue documentary filmmaking.
Along with filmmaking partner Jonah Bekhor, Zach is currently working on a feature doc. He just recently returned from filming in Italy (the photo was taken there, Zach is on the right taking in a bocce game), Germany and soon to be shooting in Iceland. When Mobifest asked him about the doc, Zach admitted that he and Jonah promised each other not to speak about it until the first stage of editing had wrapped. Thankfully, Zach did provide a bit of info, he told us, "the film is about a collector and his quest to complete his collection, it's about obsession, Science and Society and one of the most absurdly hilarious and intriguing stories I¹ve ever heard".

Tags:
By Christina

Wade Vroom at La Hacienda

Thu, Jul 17th 2008, 10:53



The Mobifest staff met with Wade Vroom this week at the Mexican eatery, La Hacienda. After digging into an open-faced quesadilla: "I thought the Monkey Trilogy guy was coming!". Wade was not impressed with our answer and spent much of the lunch on his cell while skillfully finishing the Quesadilla.

Aside from producing mobile shorts, Wade works for the Steam Whistle Brewery as a delivery man/webcontent producer and just recently graduated from U of T with a degree in Education.

Wade is currently producing a short film about Shakey the Cat, who suffers from a balance disorder. Wade assured us that the film will make audiences fall in love with the seemingly drunk cat. The Mobifest staff despises cats, but after watching Wade's impressive cell-phone eating skills we're sure this will be an compelling short.

Tags:
By Christina

Robert Redford jumps on our band wagon

Wed, Jul 2nd 2008, 09:05



Well, it looks like mobile filmmakers now have some serious competition! Robert Redford recently announced that he will be working on a series of mobile films for the Sundance Channel moniker. He has not yet confirmed all of the details, but he is likely to direct and maybe even star in the films. I wonder if he will submit to Mobifest?
Check out the interview .

Tags:
By Christina

Mobifest and Red Sneakers Media at the Bite TV Studio

Mon, Jun 23rd 2008, 14:38



Along with an amazing cast and crew, Mobifest teamed up with Marc Roussel and Ron Basch, of Red Sneakers Media, to produce a 3 part sketch about dating. The men were the butt of all of the jokes, as they revealed what not to do on a date. The sketches will link together 3 Mobifest films in an upcoming podcast that will air on Bite TV. Both Marc and Ron were on the ball (well Ron was mostly in a chair) as we finished the day with 15 minutes to spare. We can't wait to see the finished product!

Tags:
By Christina

Hot day at Rivoli with Brian Smith

Fri, Jun 6th 2008, 11:41



Summer is here and Mobifest shared some sweat on the Rivoli Patio with Brian Smith .

Now a mobile (scooterized)short film journalist for Now Magazine's website, Brian finds himself on the edge of his scooter waiting for his next big story, and eating skewered scallops. Covering everything from Ultimate Fighting Championship try-outs to photo exhibits in Kensington Market, this new gig is keeping the former Second City comedian on the edge of his seat. Inspired by The Party Game and Billy Van, Brian plans developing a comedy sketch series which will be shooting before the snow falls again.

Tags:
By Christina

Kalendar with Ian Strang

Thu, May 22nd 2008, 09:59



Back in Toronto, after working in London for Windfall Films on the television series Monster Moves, Ian met Mobifest at Kalendar on College street in Toronto after a meeting with Alliance Atlantis. He enjoyed a scroll, Kalendar's signature crepe style roti with a garden salad. An editor and digital colourist, Ian still finds time to make short films, which he calls experiments.

His most recent film, Pivot, was the only Canadian film to be screened at the Hamburg International Short Film Festival. Up until two years ago Ian had not traveled all that much, but now thanks to international short films film circuit, Ian has become...worldly. Mobifest is glad to be one of his pals.

Tags:
By Christina

Roosevelt Hotel with Chene Lawson

Thu, May 1st 2008, 17:55



Mobifest lounged with multi-talented actor, writer, and mobile film director, Chene Lawson at Tropicana, the pool bar of the Roosevelt hotel, the birth place of the Academy Awards and near-death place of Marilyn Monroe. Despite Chene's natural warmth, it was chilly: She wore a scarf and drank soda with lime.

Things have been hectic for Chene recently with a move to the Hollywood Hills and a short-term marriage to Cuba Gooding in a recent feature film. More importantly for us --Chene did an awesome job helping us with our very first Mobifest podcast. The she also is developing a multiplatform short film project which we hope to see soon!

Tags:
By Duncan

Cafe Doria with Ben Murray

Fri, Apr 4th 2008, 12:36



The Monkey Trilogy man himself sat down with Mobifest for a fresh faced lunch at Cafe Doria. Over a panini and a garden salad, Ben revealed that his Monkey Trilogy films started as a joke that he circulated around his friends. He is still astounded that the series has generated so much buzz. He plans on extending the series as soon as he finds time in his quite busy schedule. He just finished his 13 minute short, "Wookie at Work", a hilarious film about Chewbacca working as an office temp. Currently, Ben works in the legal department at Serendipity Point Films, and watched his name roll on the credits of the blockbuster Eastern Promises.

Tags:
By Christina

La Bodega with Simone Urdl and Jennifer Weiss

Fri, Mar 21st 2008, 09:15



Fresh from their Genie Award win for best picture and their Academy Award nomination for Away From Her, Canada's top feature film producers (aka Film Farm) were looking awesome in black when they met up with Mobifest at La Bodega on Baldwin St. Although they politley declined wine, we shared Bodega's "Chocolate, Espresso, and Bailey’s Flourless Cake" which was as good as it sounds.

From Atom Egoyan's new film Adoration, to Brian DePalma's ReDacted, mobile and new media is an ongoing theme for Film Farm. Can digital media actually become insightful and moving ? Perhaps we'll find some answers through Imaginary Lovers, Don McKellar's recreation of the love letter..a collaboration with Film Farm which was previewed at Mobifest Toronto 07


Tags:
By Duncan

Lunch at Fynn's with Marc Roussel

Fri, Mar 14th 2008, 12:33



In preparation for St. Patrick's Day, Mobifest met with award winning filmmaker Marc Roussel at the Fynn's of Temple Bar in Toronto. Marc who celebrated with a Steamwhistle and a triple-decker, forgot to wear green. He did however, win Best of Festival at the Wild Sound Film Festival for Alchemy, a made-for-mobile film inspired by his Mobifest entry (yes, we're taking credit)

Along with Ron Basch (star of Alchemy), Marc has started Red Sneakers Media, a production company focusing on digital media, commercials and music videos.
Red Sneakers Marc is currently in production for a new 20 minute short, Remote; a horror set during a snow storm: Our goose bumps are rising.

Tags:
By Christina

Partner - Bite TV

Fri, Oct 12th 2007, 08:36

Jeffrey Elliott: Founder, President & CEO, Bite TV

Jeffrey Elliott brings twenty-five years of strategic and creative experience in broadcasting, production, Internet, radio and print to his latest venture, Bite TV, a multi-platform entertainment universe for the 18-34 year old male.

Bite is Canada's Interactive Television Channel, celebrating the very best of comical, irreverent and edgy Canadian and international short film, animation, games and professional and amateur production. Delivering short content in a fast-paced, edgy style all it's own, BITE showcases across a wide span of genres and content.

'New Media' is passé, the future is today. BITE is on the entertainment frontlines successfully infiltrating traditional media with the newest techonolgies. A comedic, metropolitan and edgy ever-changing universe, this is BITE.


Questions:

1. First off, I'd like to congratulate you on your recent EMMY Award. What was it like to win? Were you surprised? Can you tell us what it has meant for your business.

It was a huge surprise and a big honor! It was wonderful for our work to be recognized by our international peers and with such a prestigious award.

It has validated our business plan, helped us stand out from the clutter in a rather saturated industry and also generated a significant amount of interest in the company.


2. You weren't the only Canadian company to win at the EMMYS. In fact Canadians dominated the Interactive Program category? Why is that?

Well…because there is nothing else to do during the Canadian winter except invent stuff. No seriously, we have an incredibly talented brain trust in this country.


3. How did the idea for Bite TV come about?

I’ve been involved in broadcasting for 25 years now and back in 1995 while working at Netstar (TSN, Discovery Channel) I was given what was then a brand new portfolio of interactive properties to run with, it was then that I had my epiphany; television was no longer going to be a one-way medium and so the genesis of BITE began.


4. Promoting independent filmmakers has been a specific focus at Bite TV. Do you have a formal program and in place?

We don’t have a formal process in place right now but it is in development. We are constantly on the look out for new talent and provide the opportunity to facilitate and foster Canadian talent. Currently you can upload your short films/productions to our website. We have lots of indie filmmakers, producers etc pitching their ideas and sending us their projects and I am constantly impressed with the caliber of young Canadian producers, directors, writers, actors.


5. Tell us about some of the up-and-coming filmmakers you've profiled. Who are the *stars* of Bite TV?

Brad Cowan who is the creator of one of our comedy shows called the "De Laws of Nature", an incredible talent…and if you have not yet heard of Matt Chin, you will soon. Bottom line is, it is difficult to peg just a few stars, and again, we believe that the majority of content we produce and acquire has the ability to be extremely successful in some facet on one or all of our platforms.


6. What are your most popular video segments?

Our audience is the 24 year old male, so need I tell you that content featuring hot women is a hit? No, comedy, sci-fi and horror is also of most interest I would say as well as the indie short film/productions that span a variety of genres.


7. Bite TV is a multi-platform entertainment universe -- TV, Internet, mobile. How do you manage all the "bits and bites" that go into making Bite TV?

I hire really good, talented young people who live their life immersed in these technologies.


8. A number of studies have shown that younger audiences and especially teenagers like to watch entertainment product while simultaneously doing other things -- such as instant messaging their friends. Is this something you considered when developing the Bite TV interface?

What do you mean teenagers? (Lol, emoticon, wink) Yes, of course this generation is consuming media differently and broadcasters must be mindful about this massive generational shift that is happening. TV is becoming a ubiquitous medium.


9. Mobile seems to be the perfect vehicle for "the wired male with a short attention span". Tell us about your efforts in this area.

We’re very thrilled that our content is on virtually every mobile carrier in Canada that is video enabled. This includes "Bite 2 Go" which is our streaming mobile network and the rates of consumption continues to grow in the month over month.

10. What kind of mobile content is BITE TV looking for?

It’s no different than what we want for the network, content that directly targets the 18-34 year old male demographic.


11. What's next on the agenda for BITE TV?
International expansion as well as an aggressive production slate.

12. How do you use your mobile phone?

First, to make calls. Even though my nickname is OME (Old Man Elliott) at Bite HQ, I do in fact use it for e-mail, music, video, calendar…essentially it depends where I am and what I am doing.

Tags:
By Julie

Judy Gladstone

Fri, Oct 12th 2007, 08:30



Judy Gladstone knows short films.

Having been the executive director of Bravo!FACT (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent) since 1997, the largest funder of "shorts" in Canada, she has been directly involved in awarding $13 million dollars in grants for the production of over 1,000 short films across the country.

Frequently honoured at film festivals, broadcast in Canada on CHUM Television channels, and distributed to international broadcasters, Bravo!FACT-funded shorts have been screened and won awards at the most prestigious festivals around the world, including Cannes, Sundance and the Toronto International Film Festival.


Questions:

1. Judy, you've been involved with mobile content since 2004. What was it about mobile that captured your imagination?

When I realized that video cell phones were in use abroad in 2004, I recognized the potential for the exposure of Canadian shorts on the portable medium.


2. One of your first mobile projects was "Phone Call From an Imaginary Girlfriend" with Don McKellar. Can you tell us about the idea behind this project? What has the audience reaction been like? Will we see more "imaginary girlfriends" soon? If so, where?

The first multiple-platform project initiated by Bravo!FACT (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent) was "Shorts In Motion", funded and produced in collaboration with The National Film Board of Canada.

Four filmmakers were approached (Sook-Yin Lee, Sudz Sutherland, Don McKellar and Mark McKinney) to create shorts. They were given complete artistic freedom - while asked to keep to a maximum running time of 4 1/2 minutes. In order to assist them in keeping in mind the fact that the short would be seen on tiny and large screens, each filmmakers was provided with a loaner video cell phone. After consulting with his producers, Jennifer Weiss and Simone Urdl, Don decided to use his loaner phone as camera and microphone, and to deliver to us two 2 1/2 minute films, each consisting of a "Phone Call from an Imaginary Girlfriend". Don, it appears, has imaginary girlfriends around the world. I anticipate seeing more calls from these imaginary playmates on the web, television and available for download on video cell phones in 2008.


3. In your opinion, what makes a good mobile movie?

A great mobile movie, like all film, tells a compelling story. In addition, it is short, focuses on close-ups, and avoids overlapping dialogue.


4. Distribution seems to be the biggest stumbling block to the mobile film industry. Why is this? And do you see things changing anytime soon?

The video cell phone industry is undergoing constant change, leading to evolutions of the distribution models. I expect the changes to continue at a quick pace in Canada during the coming year.


5. Earlier this year, you won the "Best Made for Mobile Video Service" at the 3GSM World Conference in Barcelona for "Shorts in Motion: The Art of Seduction". Can you tell us about this project? What were the particular challenges in making shorts that would look good on mobile -- and on television screens?

Winning the 3GSM Award in Barcelona in February 2007 for "Shorts In Motion - The Art of Seduction" (another join initiative with The National Film Board of Canada) was very exciting! The ten participating filmmakers were each asked to create a two-minute short on the theme of seduction. The theme has universal appeal and the range of subject matter for the shorts (from a politician, shot on an Ericsson video cell phone, seducing voters, to an animated short detailing the power of being seduced by the sights and food of Japan) displayed the potential for shorts on all media.


6. Tell us about the additional functionality that was built into "The Art of Seduction" experience (for example, text submissions). What has been the response from the audience? Where they more or less open to disclosing their secrets with other users?

Visitors to www.shortsinmotion.com have indeed posted secrets in the "confessions" section, which can be read by anyone. As well, we have seen the "What's Your Seduction Style" quiz circulating online in various blog communities.


7. To date, how many people have downloaded "The Art of Seduction" mobile videos?

The number of downloads can be measured in thousands : somewhere between 10 to 20,000 folk have watched the shorts on mobile devices. Many, many, more have watched the shorts on CTV's Bravo! and A-Channels.


8. Canadians produce great mobile content. Why is that?

Canada is recognized for the ground-breaking work being produced here in the interactive and mobile areas; the funding that is available (the Bell New Media Fund, Telefilm, the Ontario Media Development Corporation) and initiatives such as "Shorts In Motion" jointly funded by a private-sector organization (CTVglobemedia's Bravo!FACT (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent) and the public-sector National Film Board of Canada.

9. Is there a place for quality content in the "on-the-go" market?

As the owners and users of hand-held devices containing video capability emerge from a teen-age demographic to include an older, sophisticated audience, the demand for quality content shall increase.


Tags:
By Julie

Media Release - Mobifest LA Winners

Wed, Apr 4th 2007, 12:00

Los Angeles, CA [April 4, 2007] – Animators Steve Ogden and Steven Topham were last night’s winners at MOBIFEST LA, a one-of-a-kind event celebrating the best in made-for-mobile animation. Hosted by Mike Judge (Office Space, King of the Hill) and presented by The Animation Show and Mobifest Film Festival, the screening and awards ceremony was attended by an enthusiastic crowd of animators, fans, and celebrities.

“My thumb is numb from hitting the “play” button on my cell phone,” said Mike Judge, who screened each of the submissions received. “Every animation we got was great,” continued Judge. “It was hard work deciding which one would walk away the winner.”

In the end, the MOBIFEST LA “Grand Prize” was awarded to Baltimore-based artist and writer Steve Ogden for his animated short, “Flakes”. Runners-up in this category included: Tim Heiderich (“Emergency 411: Atomic Bomb”), Justin Cooper and Kun–I Chang (“Havidol: Just What I Needed”), Dave Carter (“How Can I Say No To Sex at School”) and Brad Wolfley (“I Am Not a Biscuit”). Honorable mentions were awarded to Dave Carter (“Daddy and James”) and Nigel Wood (“One Small Step”).

Steven Topham, a film studies graduate of the University Of California-Santa Barbara, was the winner in the NESTLE® BUTTERFINGER®-sponsored “Sweet Dreams” category. Topham’s submission, “Strip Tease” was singled-out for its creative use of 2D and 3D animation. In addition to receiving a year’s supply of chocolate bars and a Microsoft Zune™ digital media player, Topham will get the opportunity to work on an upcoming viral marketing campaign for NESTLE® BUTTERFINGER®.

MOBIFEST LA is the first collaborative event from The Animation Show and Mobifest, the world’s largest independent mobile film festival. Event sponsors included Nestlé® Butterfinger®, Microsoft, Palm Inc., and Vidavee.

All animated shorts submitted to MOBIFEST LA can be viewed at http://www.mobifest.net.

- END -
For more information, contact:
Julie Giles, Mobifest
Tel: 416-537-9774
E-mail: julie@mobifest.net

Tags:
By Julie

Big Films, Small Screen: The Made-for-Mobile Cinema of Harley Hay

Wed, Feb 7th 2007, 17:50



Regurgitation



Harley Hay is a busy man

A professional drummer, a paralegal, an English teacher, a TV news videographer, and a portrait photographer, Harley is also co-founder of Puzzle Factory Films, which was created in 2005 mainly for the production of made-for-mobile films.

Bursting on to the mobile scene, "Regurgitation” is his mobile new wave “Breathless,” a one-minute study of a couple who cannot pay their restaurant bill and decided to *ahem*…“bring it on and bring it up.” It won "Best of Festival" at Mobifest 2006 (Toronto).



Mobifest: The constraints of making movies on a mobile phone have been compared to producing film on the primitive "cinematographe" camera invented by Auguste and Louis Lumières. Would "Arrival of the Train at La Ciotat", which was made in 1895 work today on mobile? Why?

Harley Hay: It's an interesting comparison. The Lumières brothers were at the beginning of making pure magic by creating moving pictures. Cell phone cameras put that same capability into the hands of virtually everyone. Where a few grainy seconds of a train arriving in a station was a huge hit in make-shift theatres more than 100 years ago, today viewers are way past being impressed by anything. Just as the first film camera captured a train arriving at a station, if a UFO landed tomorrow the first images would no doubt be filmed by cell phone.

MF: What makes a good cell phone film?

HH: A cell phone film is 'good' if it captures the viewer's attention and imagination for a few seconds or minutes, and gives the viewer a worthwhile experience. It should be time well spent - whether it's because the mobimovie is funny, enlightening, informative, thought-provoking, outrageous, inspiring, or even just entertaining, it should always say something to the viewer.

MF: Critics have accused mobile filmmaking of being "one note". How can filmmakers best use the limitations of mobile?

HH: Your greatest weakness can be your greatest strength. If mobile mini-movies are "one note", then that can be a good thing. We mobile filmmakers need to take advantage of the fact that there are certain limitations - the films need to be short, action-centered, larger than life micro-movies. Mobile filmmakers can best use the limitations by finding inspiration in those restrictions, because this really is a completely new genre of filmmaking.

MF: Can you recommend any specific tools for filmmakers who are just getting started in mobile?

HH: It's extremely easy to get started. All you need now is a relatively inexpensive Handicam and any basic computer movie-editing program (and this software often comes already loaded on your computer.) I use the amazing Panasonic DVX100B camera in 24P mode (one of the best "film look" video cameras around), and an Avid DV Xpress editing system. The Canon XL2 is a very popular camera, and as for editing software check out Final Cut, Adobe Premiere or Sony Vegas editing programs.

MF: We've all heard of Hollywood, and Bollywood. Is there one place in the world that has the potential to become Cellywood? Why?

HH: Canada, of course! We have the potential to become "Cellywood" because for one thing, in my opinion, we really have no film industry here. So we are ready to break out from the constraints of traditional filmmaking that caters only to elite producers in this country. (Don't get me started!) In any case, Canadians have an internationally recognized, much-loved sense of humor that translates well in the mobimovie genre, and we seem to be already ahead of the rest of the world in the number and quality of mini movies being made. Besides, it's really cold here and we are stuck inside for months on end with nothing else to do but play with our cell phones.

Tags:
By Julie

A Promise to Fred Seibert

Wed, Jan 3rd 2007, 19:04

I met Fred Seibert at the Ottawa International Animation Festival. We did one of these mobile movie panel discussions together. These panels seem to be happening every other week, somewhere in the world. Fortunately, this panel (organized by Charles Zamaria at the Bell New Media Fund) was more fun than most and was even rated as the top panel of the Television Animation Conference (TAC).


Fred is the force behind Channel Frederator, the world’s first cartoon podcast network, and Frederator Studios, one of the largest and most prolific cartoon studios and the folks who gave us The Fairly Odd Parents, ChalkZone, My Life as a Teenage Robot, Johnny Bravo, Dexter's Laboratory, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Cow and Chicken, The Powder Puff Girls, and many, many more...

I was fortunate to spend some time talking with Fred at the Chateau Laurier Hotel. Fred is currently spending a lot of time growing Channel Frederator as well as continuing his cartoon innovations at Nickelodeon. All this creative output is natural for Fred who started his career in radio and as a record producer and then went to MTV as one of the music channel's first employees. If you want to get a sense of the kind of originality that he brings to the table, have a read through "MTV: The Making of a Revolution" by Tom McGrath, which talks about the early years of the network.

Fred's reputation is daunting. But like a lot of successful people, he is also a fantastic listener. We talked at some length about Mobifest, producing awards shows (He also producers the Channel Frederator Awards), and where distribution is heading (away from networks and into the hands of creatives and small producers).

At this point, he asked, "Do you have a blog?"

Me: "No. It seems like too much work."

Fred: "Why don't you have blog? ... You should have a blog!"

Me: "How often do I need to update it?"

Fred: "Once a week."

Media: "That seems like a lot..."

Fred: "The media business is always on. That's where you want to take Mobifest, right? ... I'm older than you..right?"

(Pause)

Me: "OK...I'll start a blog."

Well, that was my promise to Fred Seibert. And, this is my first post.

Tags:
By Duncan

This is the end of news page

Recent Posts

Capture the Moment Contest
Nokia Mobifest Facebook Contest!
Nokia Mobifest Call for Entries Press...
Paella with 2009 Mofilm winner Frank ...
Mobifest and EcoFact's Michael Evask
Mobifest Toronto 2008
Tutti Matti with Midi and Lesley
Zach Math from his iPhone
Wade Vroom at La Hacienda
Robert Redford jumps on our band wagon
Mobifest and Red Sneakers Media at th...
Hot day at Rivoli with Brian Smith
Kalendar with Ian Strang
Roosevelt Hotel with Chene Lawson
Cafe Doria with Ben Murray
La Bodega with Simone Urdl and Jennif...
Lunch at Fynn's with Marc Roussel
Partner - Bite TV
Judy Gladstone
Media Release - Mobifest LA Winners
Big Films, Small Screen: The Made-for...
A Promise to Fred Seibert


RSS Feed rss badge