WITHOUTABOX AND CANNES SHORT FILM CORNER PARTNER UP
Leading Filmmaker Online Media Network to Oversee Short Film Corner
Withoutabox, the leading worldwide online media company dedicated to advancing independent film, and the Short Film Corner, a division of the Cannes Film Festival, the world's foremost film festival and market, have entered into an exclusive partnership agreement for the festival's Fourth Annual Short Film Corner. The announcement was jointly made today by David Straus, co-founder and CEO of Withoutabox, and Jérôme Paillard, executive director for the Cannes Film Market.
Under terms of the agreement, Withoutabox will serve as an official partner to the Short Film Corner and will exclusively manage the event's entire film registration process, including solicitation, management and promotion of films. Filmmakers registering films with the Short Film Corner will either use their existing Withoutabox control panel, or be directed to a branded, integrated website where they can follow Withoutabox's easy-to-use and patented festival registration process.
"This arrangement makes Withoutabox the definitive online resource for independent filmmakers worldwide to finance, produce, market and distribute their films" - David Strauss
Filmmakers can also access this registration page from Short Film Corner. Cannes organizers will be able to track, manage and program the Short Film Corner using Withoutabox's services. All films registered for the event will be marketed on Audience, Withoutabox's social networking community for independent filmmakers and other members of the film community.
The agreement also includes online co-branding initiatives between the two parties that will be directed at Withoutabox's membership of more than 110,000 filmmakers in 200 countries around the world. Withoutabox also will exhibit at the Short Film Corner.
Located in the Palais des Festivals and scheduled to take place from May 16th to 26th, the Short Film Corner provides event attendees with a central location to screen, market and sell short films, many never seen before, during the market. Short titles included in the Official Competition, the Cinéfondation, the Director's Fortnight and Critic's Week also will be screened in the Short Film Corner. In addition, daily panels will feature directors and producers discussing short film issues, including financing, emerging media and music, among other topics.
Regarding the announcement, Straus noted, "We are pleased, and honoured, to be the exclusive registration representative for the Short Film Corner. This is the film industry's most revered event, which falls in line with our mandate to present our growing number of members with the highest quality opportunities to showcase and sell their work. This arrangement, coupled with our many other services, makes Withoutabox the definitive online resource for independent filmmakers worldwide to finance, produce, market and distribute their films."
"Withoutabox has been an industry leader for independent filmmakers for the last seven years," said Paillard. "Their dedication to our event and independent film is unmatched by anyone in traditional media companies."
About Cannes/Short Film Corner
Launched in 2004 by the Cannes Film Festival, the Short Film Corner is a ten-day-long short film market and meeting place for all innovative and creative filmmakers. Open to all the professionals registered with the Cannes Film Festival and the Marché du Film, it showcases their short films to potential buyers, festival programmers, producers and distributors. The Short Film Corner is also a great spot to discover new international filmmakers.
To date, more than 540 films are already registered for the 2007 edition. For more information visit Short Film Corner.
About Withoutabox, Inc.
Last month, three Withoutabox members won Academy Awards while two additional members won Spirit Awards....
Withoutabox offers online tools and services that make it The Media Company for Independents. In operation since 2000, the company developed the proprietary Withoutabox Submissions, which connects more than 110,000 filmmakers to more than 2,000 film festivals in 200 countries worldwide, including 700-plus online submission partners. It is now a powerful advocate for the independent film community, helping filmmakers maximize the value of their work. Withoutabox members consistently win film festival honours and have received dozens of Oscar nominations - and have won the Academy Award many times. Last month, three Withoutabox members won Academy Awards while two additional members won Spirit Awards.
Audience by Withoutabox (audience.withoutabox.com) connects filmmakers, film lovers, distributors, exhibitors, and others via blogs, reviews, ticketing services and more. The Withoutabox Distribution Lab serves as a self-distribution company and real-world testing ground for innovations in releasing. The company's Film Finders division, acquired in 2006, is the world's pre-eminent film production and rights database and consulting company. To learn more visit Withoutabox www.withoutabox.com.