Extreme Filmmaking Competition to Star Chrysler's New Crossfire Sports Coupe and PT Cruiser
AUBURN HILLS, Mich.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--April 17, 2002--The Extreme Filmmaking Competition phase of the Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival is gearing up to send 10 of America's top emerging filmmakers to Cannes to merge independent filmmaking with Chrysler brand vehicles. During the competition -- taking place at the same time as the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, May 15-26, 2002 -- filmmakers must write, cast, shoot, edit and premiere a five-minute short film during a 10-day period. The finished projects will feature either a Chrysler PT Cruiser or the Crossfire, Chrysler's new sports coupe slated to go on sale in spring 2003.
Today's announcement marks the latest phase of a year-long competition and series of events providing filmmakers the opportunity to win a $1 million feature film production deal courtesy of the Chrysler brand, Hypnotic and Universal Pictures.
The 10 extreme filmmakers, who are now semifinalists in the Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival, were chosen from a group of 25 filmmakers whose short films appeared on the Chrysler brand Web page, www.chrysler.com. A blue ribbon panel of judges and visitors to the Web page selected the 10 semifinalists.
Next month, using Cannes and the French Riviera as its stage, the Extreme Filmmaking Competition will combine the excitement, intrigue and glamour of the world's largest and most prestigious film festival with the Chrysler PT Cruiser and sleek new Chrysler Crossfire, adding an element of fashion and design to the films.
"When the Crossfire concept car premiered at last year's auto show in Detroit, it quickly became one of the favorite cars of showgoers. Strong and emotional consumer reaction to the car made it an easy call for us to turn the concept Crossfire into a production vehicle," says Jeff Bell, Chrysler's Vice President of Marketing Communications. "Bringing both the PT Cruiser and Crossfire to Cannes to star in their own films is a great example of Chrysler's dedication to style, design and innovation."
"The inclusion of the PT Cruiser and the Crossfire in the Extreme Filmmaking Competition provides the filmmakers an exciting opportunity to communicate the Chrysler brand's evocative styling," says Dave Bartis, CEO, Hypnotic. "The Crossfire is a once-in-a-lifetime car and fits perfectly into this program's once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for emerging filmmakers."
Throughout the Film Festival, the Chrysler Villa, located at the Hotel Martinez in the center of Cannes, will serve as a destination for VIPs, filmmakers, actors and other members of the creative community. For film devotees of the world, the filmmaking production facilities for the Extreme Filmmaking Competition will be located at the Chrysler Villa, allowing guests to watch the competitors fine tune their five-minute shorts.
After 10 days, when the cameras stop rolling and the editing rooms are empty, the films will premiere for a blue ribbon panel of industry professionals. This invitation-only event will determine the five finalists who move on to the Feature Film Packaging phase in Los Angeles during the summer of 2002.
While living at the Chrysler Summer House in Los Angeles, these finalists will develop a million-dollar film production package while working in partnership with an industry mentor on the Universal Studios lot. The Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival's final destination, Toronto, Canada, is where the five finalists will present their feature film pitch as well as the film's promotional poster and trailer. Ultimately, one filmmaker will be selected as the 2002 Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival winner.
The 10 filmmakers selected to compete in the Extreme Filmmaking Competition in Cannes, France, and their films, are:
| -- | Will Canon, "Roslyn" |
| -- | Patrick Daughters, "In Life We Soar" |
| -- | Richard Doherty, "My Chorus" |
| -- | Maurice A. Dwyer, "Whoa" |
| -- | Matthew Ehlers, "Lunch" |
| -- | Geoffrey Haley, "The Parlor" |
| -- | Catherine Tingey, "Girls's Guide to the Galaxy" |
| -- | Jeff Wadlow, "Tower of Babble" |
| -- | Seth Wiley, "The Good Things" |
| -- | Ivan Zivkovic, "Remote Control" |
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