Africa Guardian

Dubai :
Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, and YouTube,
partners on Your Film Festival, reported today the addition of
acclaimed actor Michael Fassbender to the project. Fassbender will
serve as a competition film juror in Venice and co-executive producer
of the winner’s next film along with renowned director Ridley Scott.
Your Film Festival, a global competition to discover the world’s best
storytellers invites directors, producers and writers from around the
world to submit a 15-minute, story-driven video of any format, style
and genre, to youtube.com/yourfilmfestival, until 31 March 2012. Scott
Free (the production company of famed director Ridley Scott) will
narrow down the submissions to 50 semi-finalists in the summer of
2012.
The 50 videos will then be available to the global YouTube community
who will be able to cast their votes, choosing 10 finalists. These 10
finalists will travel to Italy on Emirates via Dubai, where their work
will screen at the 69th Venice International Film Festival in
September 2012. A grand prize winner will selected by a special jury
which includes Ridley Scott and Michael Fassbender and awarded a
$500,000 YouTube original production grant to work with Scott Free, to
create a brand new work.
“I was delighted to join this partnership alongside Ridley, YouTube,
Venice, and Emirates,” said Fassbender. “I’ve worked with incredible
storytellers before and am excited to help find the next great one
through Your Film Festival.” His invitation to the YouTube community
can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c19FahitJjs.
Fassbender’s involvement will mark a reunion of sorts, as his next
film will be Ridley Scott’s return to the director’s chair, the highly
anticipated ‘Prometheus’. Fassbender will also mark his return to
Venice Film Festival since winning Best Actor for his performance in
‘Shame’ which also garnered him a Golden-Globe nomination.
Emirates, who is defining the future of air travel with innovative
products like its A380 On Board Lounges and On Board Shower Spas and
its award winning in-flight entertainment system ice, is a proud
partner with YouTube’s Your Film Festival. A renowned sponsor of
sports activities around the globe, Emirates has broadened its scope
to include the cultural connecting medium of film.
“Through our sponsorship of Your Film Festival we are supporting the
journey of emerging filmmakers through YouTube’s innovative
entertainment platform,” said Sir Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice
Chairman, Emirates airline and Group. “The foundation of the Emirates
brand is connecting people. Teaming up with YouTube and acting as a
cultural bridge connecting thoughts, ideas and dreams through Your
Film Festival, is a natural extension of our brand.”
More information can be found at youtube.com/yourfilmfestival. Film
submissions can be made until 31 March 2012.
About Emirates
Emirates, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, has
received more than 500 international awards and accolades for
excellence. Emirates flies to 121 destinations in 72 countries across
six continents and is the world’s largest airline in available seat
kilometres. Operating 169 wide-body Airbus and Boeing aircraft,
including an industry leading 20 A380s, Emirates has orders for an
additional 236 aircraft, worth more than USD$84 billion. For more
information please visit http://www.emirates.com.
About YouTube
YouTube is the world’s most popular online video community allowing
millions of people to discover, watch and share original videos.
YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire
others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for
original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube,
LLC is based in San Bruno, Calif., and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.
Emirates Media Contact:
Chiara Sarzi Amadè
Emirates Corporate Communications
5th Floor
New EGHQ
Opposite DXB Airport
P O Box 686
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
(+971 4) 7082171
http://www.emirates.com