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Launched in 1999, the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) is the nation's premier organization to showcase the works of the hottest emerging Latino filmmaking talent from the U.S. and Latin America. Its mission is to support these filmmakers, offer expansive images of the Latino experience and celebrate the diversity and spirit of the Latino community. NYILFF presents over seventy works in the categories of Feature Film (in Spanish and English) and Vanguard Cinema, which includes experimental works, documentaries, student works and short films; NYILFF Family Weekend is a weekend of films along with indoor and outdoor activities the whole family can enjoy.

The New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) and HBO have announced an open call for entry for the 3rd Annual HBO/NYILFF Short Film Competition. The competition is a partnership between the pay television network and festival to find and showcase a new Latino talent.

One winner will be chosen to receive $15,000 in funding from HBO to produce and direct a short film based on an original script entry. Winner will be given six weeks to complete the film, which will then make its premiere at the NYILFF's opening night ceremony and presented before every 2006 NYILFF evening feature screening.

"Through the years, the NYILFF has become a major platform for new Latino filmmakers," said Olivia Smashum, executive vice president, Affiliate Marketing and Business Development at HBO. "And as presenting sponsor of the festival, we''re extremely proud of what this competition is becoming for emerging talent -- an outlet for creativity and exposure to a larger audience."

"We are very excited to have the continued support of HBO behind this competition," said Calixto Chinchilla, executive director of the NYILFF. "And, we''re proud it has emerged into something beyond just a competition into a real opportunity to support aspiring Latino filmmakers from the U.S. and around the world."

    The details for the competition are as follows:

    * Competition is open to U.S. and international entrants 18 years or older

    * Original scripts must be written in English by a person of Latino

      descent or focus on the Latino experience

    * Final film cannot exceed five (5) minutes

    * Entries must have had no previous television or internet exhibition,

      have not won awards at any other festival and must not have previously

      been submitted to the HBO/NYILFF Short Film Competition

    * Each entry must be accompanied by a completed submission form, $10.00

      fee, filmmaker bio and photo, director's reel or last short film \

      produced (VHS only), and one executed HBO/NYILFF Short Film Competition

      release form

    * There is no limit to the number of entries (see rules for more

      specifics)

    * Entries must be postmarked by May 5, 2006 and mailed to NYILFF, c/o

      HBO/NYILFF SHORT FILM COMPETITION, 419 Lafayette Street, 3rd Floor,

      New York, N.Y. 10003

    * Winner will be notified on or about June 2, 2006

    * HBO to receive final cut of winning film by July 17, 2006

    * Submission forms, eligibility requirements and release forms can be

      downloaded from the NYILFF website, http://www.NYLatinoFilm.com

Last year, writer/director Aurora Guerrero, received the grant from HBO to produce and direct a short film based on her original script "Viernes Girl" ("Friday Girl"), the story of how sibling rivalry takes a turn when a brother and sister discover they have more in common than they think.

Full details can be obtained on the festival's website, http://www.NYLatinoFilm.com .

The festival is supported by The New York City Latin Media and Entertainment Commission and is presented by HBO.

HBO; The New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF)

Web site: http://www.hbo.com

http://www.NYLatinoFilm.com