The GSM Association (GSMA) and MOFILM have revealed that two-time Academy Award-winning actor and director Kevin Spacey will headline at the GSMAs Mobile World Congress in Barcelona from 16-20 February 2009, as host of the MOFILM Mobile Short Film Festival and mobile entertainment keynote speaker
The MOFILM Mobile Short Film Festival follows the success of the GSMAs previous collaborations with the Sundance Institute to create the Global Short Film Project at the Mobile World Congress in 2007, and the launch at this years event of the MOFILM brand. This was created to showcase the work of short film directors representing the Cannes, Locarno and Shanghai Film Festivals and the Sundance Channel – supported by film legend Robert Redford and actress, writer and director Isabella Rossellini.
The MOFILM Mobile Short Film Festival is the first of its kind, and highlights the increasing influence of the mobile medium on the entertainment industry, bringing together art, commerce and technology. The 2009 initiative comes on a wave of a new generation of sophisticated multimedia-enabled mobile handsets and value-added operator services, providing new opportunities to enjoy short-form video.
Spacey, the star of Hollywood blockbusters American Beauty, The Usual Suspects and LA Confidential, among many others, and currently Artistic Director of Londons Old Vic theatre, will host the MOFILM Mobile Short Film Festival, presenting the prize for the best short film of 5 minutes or less in length submitted by film makers from around the world. He will also participate in a keynote interview at the Congress on Thursday 19th February 2009.
We are thrilled that Kevin Spacey, one of the worlds most revered and respected actor/directors, will join us in Barcelona to share some refreshing and provocative perspectives on the potential of mobile entertainment and host the worlds first global mobile film festival, says GSMA Chief Marketing Officer, Michael OHara.
MOFILM has received entries from filmmakers in over 40 countries around the world to date. Due to an overwhelming response, MOFILM has announced an extension to the deadline for film submission to 24 January 2009. The winning filmmaker will be presented with a brand new Chevrolet Cruze compact family car by Chevrolet, the MOFILM festivals strategic partner.
Technology partner, Accenture, through its recent acquisition of Origin Digital, will supply an innovative video sharing and upload technology that supports film submissions for the event. Origin Digital is a leading video applications service providers and now part of Accenture Digital Media Services.
The operator community globally has been steadily moving to a world of mobile broadband powered visual entertainment on the move, says MOFILM CEO, Andy Baker.The Mobile World Congress is absolutely unique as a stage for thought-leading business, technology and creative minds to share and debate perspectives on the future of this powerful new medium.