Virgin Media is offering British film makers the opportunity to win up to £30,000 to produce their next film. The executive production courtesy of the British Film Institute (BFI) is provided.

Photo:www.creativereview.co.uk

The program runs for the fourth year. This time, 12 shortlisted films will be selected to be converted to 35mm and shown in Picturehouse and independent cinemas in the UK as part of Virgin Media Shorts.

The films will be shown in rotation throughout the year before main features at the cinemas.

The jury’s favorite film director gets about £30,000 to produce their next film, while the ‘People’s Choice’ recipient gets thousands of pounds to buy new equipment.

This year’s panel of judges includes acclaimed directors Paul Greengrass (United 93, The Bourne Ultimatum) and Mat Whitecross (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, The Road to Guantanamo) and the actor John Hurt.

The deadline for entries is 12pm on July 7. Recipients can enter their work, visiting the Virgin Media Shorts site. For a taste of the standard they’ll be competing with, Luke Snellin received a BAFTA nomination for Mixtape, his 2009 winning entry. The last year’s winner Oscar Sharp’s touching Sign Language is shown below.

The Virgin Media contest reminds of the ABSOLUT 365 days project and the Sprite Refreshing Films Program.