Independents 2004 Announces 10 Finalists From The Washington, Dc, Virginia And Maryland Areas For Elevator Pitch Film Challenge

Urban Film Review and creative partner Red Bull announce 10 finalists for Washington DC regional filmmaker challenge.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) May 28, 2004 --- Earlier this summer, Urban Film Review and creative partner Red Bull Energy Drink launched Independents 2004: The Elevator Pitch Film Challenge.

During the 1st Round of this challenge, filmmakers were asked to submit on video a 60-second Elevator Pitch with an elevator theme. Over 50 aspiring and accomplished filmmakers from Washington, Virginia and Maryland submitted entries, with 10 finalists being selected to advance to round two. In the second round, filmmakers have only 10 days to turn their 60-second Elevator Pitch into a 3 to 5 minute Elevator Short Film.    

To support the artists as they make their final film, Independents 2004 arranged production support from Tim Reids New Millennium Studios in Virginia, Mr. Video in Springfield, VA and R & R Lighting Company in Silver Spring, MD. The Enyce and Lady Enyce Company is also contributing wardrobe to the finalists to support their productions.

The final short films are due on Wednesday June 2. On June 17, Independents 2004 will screen the top 10 Elevator Pitches and the final 10 Elevator Short Film at the Independents Short Film Awards at Dream in Washington, DC. An audience consisting of filmmakers and media who will witness the films and vote to determine the winners of $2,000, Sony filmmaking equipment, distribution opportunities and more.

At last years Independents film challenge, two of the top 4 films selected by our audience were picked up" for national distribution by Film Movement, with both short films also being screened at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. This year, will the audience once again find the budding area filmmaker?

The special guest celebrity host for the Awards Show is Tim Reid, president and CEO of New Millennium Studios, the largest film and TV production studio on the east coast. Also performing during the evening is Three Keys Music recording star Marcus Johnson performing songs from his new CD.

For press access to the Awards Show or to arrange interviews with filmmakers, you may email your mailing address to elevatorpitch2004@yahoo.com or call Monica Wood at 443-538-4184.

Independents was established in 2003 to provide local filmmakers with the opportunity of exposure and distribution. Urban Film Review (UFR) launched Independents with creative partner Red Bull to bring attention to the renaissance in independent filmmaking.

The 10 semi-finalists in alphabetical order are:

Filmmaker      Elevator Pitch Title   Representing
Berry Blanton      "Exit 7"      Silver Spring, MD
Brandon Dunlow   "The Stand Off"   Suffolk, VA
LaShaun Franklin   "R. E. M."      Washington, DC
Paul Hardister      "Magic Elevator Ride"   Arlington, VA
John Johnson      "Yesterday"      Charlottesville, VA
Ludovic Jolivet   "A Little Box Within"   Arlington, VA
Michael Melvin   "Going Down"   Columbia, MD
Harry Mirijanian   "Opening Doors"   Arlington, VA
Richard Montgomery   "Wardrobe Malfunction"   Washington, DC
Matthew Thomas   "Thursday"      Baltimore, MD