MIKE FIGGIS LAUNCHES NOKIA SHORTS 2004
Visionary British Film Maker Announces Ultra Short Film Competition
Award-winning director Mike Figgis has launched the 2004 edition of Nokia
Shorts – a challenge to budding film-makers to create an original 15-
second film.
Nokia Shorts, now in its second year, is the only competition of its kind,
encouraging the development of short films designed specifically to be
played on mobile devices.
The ground-breaking competition, a collaboration between Nokia and the
Raindance organisation, is being championed by Figgis, who directed the
Oscar-winning Leaving Las Vegas and is renowned for his own use of
pioneering film formats, including the acclaimed split-screen real-time
feature, Timecode.
As Figgis explains: "I am intrigued to see how ideas can be expressed in
15 seconds. This is not as easy as it sounds, it requires real film-making
and a profound understanding of visual imagery. I am looking for poetry.
The future is digital but a good idea will always be a good idea. "
Film-makers are being invited to submit their own 15-second ‘micro-
movies’. These can be made using standard digital recording equipment. All
the entries will be viewed by a panel of film experts, which will select
10 finalists. These will gain widespread exposure through being screened
at this year’s 12th Raindance Film Festival (1 – 10 October) and being
shown on www.nokia.co.uk/nokiashorts where members of the public will be
invited to vote for their favourites.
The winner of Nokia Shorts 2004 will have the chance to make another short
film, longer in length and with a bigger budget, experienced crew and
professional film equipment. Along with the two runners-up, they will also
receive training courses from Raindance in the key aspects of film-making.
This year’s entrants will have a lot to live up to following the high
quality of last year’s finalists. The shortlist spanned a range of genres
and employed a variety of innovative film techniques. There was animation,
art house and avant-garde as well as some hilarious black comedies – each
executed within 15 seconds (to view last year’s finalists go to
www.nokia.co.uk/nokiashorts).
According to Rob Glenny, whose black comedy The Final Performance of the
Amazing Keith scooped the top prize; “If you ask me what’s so exciting
about short films, I can tell you in just over 14 seconds - it’s film-
making in its most naked form. In 15 seconds even James Cameron and
a ‘Titanic’ budget could get beaten by a great idea.”
Rob’s winning film, along with the other finalists from 2003, can be
viewed at www.nokia.co.uk/nokiashorts
“We were delighted with the success of Nokia Shorts last year,” says Mirko
Aksentijevic, business manager, Nokia Multimedia UK. “The quality of the
finalists was superb and the concept of a 15-second film works perfectly
on mobile phones capable of playing video. We look forward to seeing this
year’s entries.”
“Nokia Shorts has quickly become one of the main talking points of people
attending our courses,” adds Elliot Grove, director and founder of
Raindance. “Everyone’s busy thinking of their 15-second film! The key to a
good entry is in being able to come up with a 15-second concept and not
trying to cram a good idea into 15 seconds.”
Entry details and specifications for this year’s competition will be
available at www.nokia.co.uk/nokiashorts. The deadline for entries is 31
August 2004.
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For further information, please contact the Nokia Mobile Phones UK Press
Office on 020 7465 6431 or e-mail [log in to unmask]
Notes to Editors
About Mike Figgis
Born in Carlisle, Figgis moved to Nairobi, Kenya as a baby. He lived there
until his family relocated to Newcastle in the north of England when he
was eight. As a teenager, he started playing trumpet and guitar with
various rock and roll bands, one of which was the R&B group Gas Board,
featuring British pop star Brian Ferry.
In 1980, Figgis formed his own theatre company, The Mike Figgis Group, and
began creating multi-media productions, which included extensive use of
film. His work caught the eye of Channel Four, which then financed Figgis'
first film, The House, which starred Steven Rea (The Crying Game).
Stormy Monday was Figgis' next film that marked his emergence into full-
length features. Figgis wrote, directed and scored the movie, starring
Melanie Griffiths, set in Newcastle's steamy jazz club. He then made an
impressive entrance into American films by directing and co-scoring
Internal Affairs, starring Richard Gere and Andy Garcia.
Kim Novak came out of early retirement to star in Figgis's next film,
Liebestraum, a dark thriller written, directed and scored by Figgis. He
then went on to direct Mr. Jones, pairing Richard Gere and Lena Olin, and
The Browning Version starring Albert Finney and Greta Scacchi.
In 1996, Figgis achieved international praise for his film Leaving Las
Vegas, starring Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue, which he wrote, directed
and scored. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, and Nicolas
Cage won Best Actor for his portrayal of the alcoholic screenwriter Ben
Sanderson.
Figgis followed Leaving Las Vegas with One Night Stand, starring Wesley
Snipes and Nastassja Kinski , The Loss of Sexual Innocence and Miss Julie,
a minimalist, emotionally provocative adaptation of August Strindberg's
classic play.
2000’s critically acclaimed Timecode marked a groundbreaking departure for
Figgis. The feature film, shot entirely using four digital cameras in real
time, saw actors like Salma Hayek and Jeanne Triplehorn improvising within
a predetermined structure.
Figgis’ most recent digital film, Hotel (2001) featuring an ensemble cast
including Burt Reynolds and Lucy Liu, continues to push the boundaries of
digital film-making by experimenting with different textures, format and
even nightvision.
In summer 2002, Figgis produced a documentary, The Battle of Orgreave, a
re-enactment of the 1984 Thatcher Government’s confrontation with the
National Union of Miners.
He moved from films to books in 2003 with In the Dark, a paperback
documenting a visual journey of digital imagery, both in and out of his
recent digital films.
The Blues; Red White and Blues was completed in spring 2003, and is one
episode in a series on ‘The Blues,’ which is being produced by Martin
Scorsese.
Figgis’ latest film, Cold Creek Manor, starring Dennis Quaid, Sharon
Stone, Stephen Dorff & Juliette Lewis was released in autumn 2003.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and
sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia is dedicated to
enhancing people's lives and productivity by providing easy-to-use and
secure products like mobile phones, and solutions for imaging, games,
media, mobile network operators and businesses. Nokia is a broadly held
company with listings on five major exchanges.
www.nokia.co.uk
About Raindance
Raindance is dedicated to fostering and promoting independent film in the
UK and around the world. Raindance combines Film Training Courses,
Rawtalent Productions, Raindance, Raindance East and Raindance Kids Film
Festivals, Raindance Film Magazine, and hosts the prestigious British
Independent Film Awards. Raindance spans the full spectrum of the art,
craft and business of independent movies - from guerilla style low or no
budget production through to big budget indie blockbusters.
For further information, please contact Phil Symes @ The PR Contact
Tel: 020 7323 1200 / Fax: 020 7323 1070
Email: [log in to unmask]
WEBSITE
www.raindance.co.uk
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