Monday 6th August saw the launch of a major competition hoping to encourage the use of videogames as a way to innovatively promote films. Up for grabs are four prizes totalling £100,000, in a joint venture between the University of Abertay Dundee, D-Media and IC Tomorrow in association with Lionsgate UK and the BFI (British Film Institute).
Two of the £25,000 rewards will be for entrants to advertise the upcoming theatrical release of two new British feature films, Spike Island and Smash and Grab: The Story of the Pink Panthers. Both of these flicks are currently in the post-production phase and the lucky winners will get early access to their chosen film.
The remaining two £25,000 prizes will be set aside for prototyping how games can be used for a film’s cinematic or home entertainment release. Lionsgate UK releases will be the focus, so potential titles available could include Dirty Dancing, Great Expectations, The Expendables 2 and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D to name but a few.
Nicola Pearcey, Managing Director Home Entertainment and New Media at Lionsgate UK, said: “Lionsgate UK is proud to be partnering with D-Media, Abertay University and IC tomorrow in this exciting Games for Film competition.”
“The competition will provide a great opportunity for individuals to voice their unique ideas and we look forward to working with the winning entrants to see their prototypes materialised.”
Paul Durrant, Director of Business Development at Abertay University, said: “Games for Film is an incredible opportunity for game developers to try a new, exciting area and to work with two of the biggest names in the film industry, BFI and Lionsgate.”
“The Abertay Prototype Fund invests in launching new companies and testing out business opportunities in interactive media. Games have huge potential to help other creative industries like film reach an audience in new ways, and we look forward to receiving very high quality applications for this exciting contest.”
The deadline for entry is noon on Thursday 20th September 2012, then just 12 finalists will be chosen to move onto stage two where they will be expected to offer up a presentation and tackle a questions and answer session.
You can find out more about the competition on D-Media’s website.
