Jackson Hole Film Festival with MovieHatch.com Challenges Filmmakers to Compete Online for 'The Next Big Hit' and Win a Screening at Its 5th Annual Festival

Online 2 Onscreen Short-Film Competition Gives Public Producers™ the Power to Discover New Film Talent and Send Them to the Jackson Hole Film Festival

Empowering independent filmmakers and global audiences through film and new media continues to be our driving mission

Jackson, WY (PRWEB) March 18, 2008 -- With the popularity of shows like American Idol, the general public is playing an active role in discovering new and upcoming talent. Now, anyone can sit in the chair of "film producer" and have a deciding vote on the short-film programming to screen this year at the 5th annual Jackson Hole Film Festival, June 5 - 9, 2008. Today the Jackson Hole Film Festival, in partnership with MovieHatch.com, announced its online short-film competition, Online 2 Onscreen, (www.moviehatch.com/jackson) which gives filmmakers the opportunity to compete for a screening slot at this year's festival. The first step to securing a screening during the festival requires filmmakers to win the hearts of the online audience who will vote for films in three categories: live action, animation and documentary.

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"Empowering independent filmmakers and global audiences through film and new media continues to be our driving mission," said Eben Dorros, president and chairman, Jackson Hole Film Institute, the presenter of the Jackson Hole Film Festival. "Utilizing the viewing and voting technology provided through our partnership with MovieHatch, we're creating a platform for new ideas and talent to be discovered, and creating another opportunity to deliver on our vision for the Festival and the Jackson Hole Film Institute."

Online 2 Onscreen: How it Works?

First, filmmakers with a short film of no more than ten minutes presenting a concept in one of the three categories--live action, animation or documentary--upload their films to MovieHatch at www.moviehatch.com/jackson.

Once films are uploaded to MovieHatch the general public, "Public Producers™," screen films via the MovieHatch website and cast their votes to determine the top five films in each category. The public online screening and voting period is open March 18, 2008 - May 15, 2008 (films need to be uploaded no later than May 1 to be considered).

At the close of the online screening period, Jackson Hole Film Festival programmers and Lauren Williams, founder of MovieHatch, will review the top five films in each category and select one film from each category to screen at the Festival in June.

In addition, filmmakers with feature scripts attached to their short film can opt-in for consideration in MovieHatch's upcoming feature film competition. At least one such entry will be selected as a finalist in the planned competition that offers professional feature film production with a budget up to $5 million.

About MovieHatch
MovieHatch is an entertainment company that offers a new process for greenlighting feature films and television programs with a continuing series of online competitions. The web site, MovieHatch.com, lets filmmakers use video to pitch their work directly to audiences, who become Public Producers™ by screening and voting for their favorites. A panel of top industry executives is then brought in to further review the favorites of these Public Producers. One selection from each competition will be put into full professional production with a budget of up to $5 million. MovieHatch opens the doors on 'the biz' and makes it easier for anyone to enter. MovieHatch.com - where film and TV ideas hatch™.

About Jackson Hole Film Festival
The 5th annual Jackson Hole Film Festival, presented by the Jackson Hole Film Institute will take place June 5-9, 2008, and will screen approximately 70 independent films competing in seven program categories including: Independent Features; Independent Shorts; Documentaries; World Program: Spotlight Latin America; Global Insight; Sports Action; and Student Voices. Representing more than 20 countries, the Festival is committed to creating a platform for global inspiration and change. In addition to its film programs, the Festival is also recognized for its extraordinary evening events and high profile forums that enrich the Festival and give festival-goers the opportunity to interact with filmmakers in a casual setting

For more information on the Jackson Hole Film Festival or to purchase festival passes visit www.jacksonholefilmfestival.org.

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