July 2001
SHOWTIME'S ANNUAL BLACK FILMMAKER SHOWCASE : Accepting Entries for 2002 Competition

SHOWTIME'S ANNUAL BLACK FILMMAKER SHOWCASE - Accepting Entries for 2002 Competition


Network's Annual Black Filmmaker Showcase Is Now In Its 10th Successful Year

Winner Receives $30,000 Grant (DEADLINE IS JULY 31, 2001)

SHOWTIME's programming philosophy has always been to provide a broad mix of diverse product for all its viewers. A good example of this is The Black Experience, the network's year-round commitment to African-American themed programming. As part of The Black Experience, SHOWTIME is proud to provide the opportunity for young African-American filmmakers to express themselves through its annual Black Filmmaker Showcase. SHOWTIME is currently reviewing films for the 2002 Showcase and will accept submissions until July 31, 2001. This year, a new rolling admissions process will allow filmmakers who miss the deadline for the 2002 Showcase to be automatically entered into the 2003 Showcase competition, after completing new registration forms.

Now in its tenth successful year, SHOWTIME's Black Filmmaker Showcase, which has premiered the work of talented filmmakers including Malcolm Lee (The Best Man, Undercover Brother) and Garrett Williams (Spark), has aired the short works of a select group of emerging African American writers/directors in order to introduce them to the larger viewing audience.

From the pool of entries received this year, SHOWTIME will select approximately three to five finalists and their submissions will be featured on SHOWTIME as part of the SHOWTIME BLACK FILMMAKER SHOWCASE. One outstanding film will be chosen from the finalists and that filmmaker will receive a $30,000 grant to be used towards the production of a 15-30 minute short film, which will have its exclusive world premiere on SHOWTIME.

This past February, SHOWTIME aired the short films of the four finalists in the 2001 Showcase, concluding with the winning short SPECIAL DAY, directed by 2001 Grant Winner Anna Dudley. For her efforts, Dudley received a $30,000 grant to be used toward the production of an additional short film to debut on SHOWTIME.

Noted Showtime's President of Programming, Jerry Offsay: "Our Black Filmmaker Showcase is one of the ways in which SHOWTIME is helping to cultivate new talent and provide them with an audience that will help inspire future artists. SHOWTIME's aim is to tell stories about the world we live in with programming targeted at and reflective of the experiences of segments of the population that have traditionally been under-served by other networks."

For more information on the 2002 Black Filmmaker Showcase, filmmakers can write to the address below or log onto SHO.com. Written requests must include name, age, address, and phone number. Following receipt of such requests, SNI will send the grant requirements and a Release Form, which must be completed and submitted along with a 15-30 minute short film no later than July 31, 2001. For viewing purposes, SNI requests a 1/2-inch VHS videotape. All requests for information should be sent:

SHOWTIME BLACK FILMMAKER SHOWCASE
Selby Segall
10880 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1600
Los Angeles, CA 90024

The SHOWTIME BLACK FILMMAKER SHOWCASE program is open to filmmakers who are 18 years of age or older and legal U.S. residents, and is subject in all respects to the Showtime Black Filmmaker Showcase Rules for 2001 submission. No phone calls please. Materials will not be returned.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME, THE MOVIE CHANNEL and FLIX, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME TOO, SHOWTIME SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME, SHOWTIME BEYOND, SHOWTIME NEXT, SHOWTIME WOMEN and SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE and TMC xtra. SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SET (Showtime Event Television) Pay Per View. Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME EXTREME is available in Spain through a joint venture with Media Park and the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.

 

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