The competition rewards the top three film makers with £10 000 of prize money (first prize - £5000; second prize - £3000; third prize £2000), with all six finalists getting exposure across all the TCM EMEA territories, making it one of the most valuable competitions of its kind. In addition, the six shortlisted films are aired during a special weekend of programming on TCM celebrating the best new film making talent from the competition

Once again, TCM Classic Shorts has been lucky enough to attract some of the most distinguished names from the international film industry who have agreed to give up their time to help nurture future film makers.

This year's judging panel comprises:

• James Franco Spider-Man trilogy, Freaks and Geeks Actor, director, writer
  
• Nick Goldsmith, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Son of Rambow, Producer
  
• Mikael Hafstrom, Evil aka Ondskan, Derailed, 1408, director, writer
  
• Rutger Hauer, Blade Runner, Batman Begins, actor, producer, director
  
• Agnieszka Holland, Europa, Europa; The Secret Garden, director, writer
  
• Jason Isaacs, Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix, Peter Pan, actor
  
• Garth Jennings, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Son of Rambow, director, writer
  
• Cillian Murphy, Sunshine, Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Dark Knight, actor
  
• Wolfgang Petersen Das Boot, In the Line of Fire, Troy, director, producer, writer
  
• Darrell Roodt, Cry The Beloved Country, Sarafina, Yesterday, director, writer
  
• Istvan Szabo Mephisto, Sunshine, Being Julia, director, writer
  
• Stephen Woolley, The Crying Game, Stoned, producer, director
  
• Wendy Ide, film critic and film festival programmer
  
• Dan Jolin, features editor, Empire magazine
  
• Nev Pierce, editor, Total Film magazine
  
• Jason Solomons, film critic, radio and TV broadcaster
  
• Aletta Alberts, head of content, Multichoice

The competition prides itself on having discovered some great new filmmaking talent in recent years. Last year's winner A Bout de Truffe by Tom Tagholm, which also won first prize at The Raindance Film Festival, was shot entirely in French and enjoyed plaudits from the judges. Simon Pegg described the film as ‘thoughtfully directed and beautifully composed. Funny, tragic and wonderfully sly' whilst Cillian Murphy thought it ‘Wonderfully original, beautifully acted and shot. Very hard to fault'.

Many of the short-listed films from previous years have also gone on to receive further acclaim including 2006 winner Jane Lloyd, which was used by David Gray as the video for his single, Alibi; 2005 finalist Cubs directed by Tom Harper and 2004 winner Nits directed by Harry Wootliff were BAFTA nominated while 2002 entry Brown Paper Bag directed by Michael Baig Clifford and 2001 winner About A Girl directed by Brian Percival, won Best Short Film BAFTAs. 2002 winner Gerald McMorrow is now directing a feature film, Franklyn, with Hanway Films.

TCM Classic Shorts is open to all short films from EMEA; if they have not been made in English they will require English subtitles. All films must be received by 1 August 2008 at the very latest.

Further information and entry forms are available at www.tcmclassicshorts.com.

[4 Jun 2008 08:47]

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