Virgin Atlantic has joined forces with the National Film and Television

School to showcase new film making talent onboard in its own Film Festival

in the Sky.

Over the next four months Virgin Atlantic will be screening 14 specially

selected short films on its inflight entertainment system. Passengers can

watch the films during their flight and then vote until the end of June to

compile a shortlist of six films that will be shown onboard for a further

three months.  During this time the finalists will be assessed by a panel

of highly respected industry figures and a winner and two runners up will

be chosen.  These three filmmakers will have their film screened onboard

for a further three months.  The overall winner will receive Virgin

Atlantic tickets and have their next film shown onboard to a potential

audience of 5 million passengers.

 

The panel of judges consists of actress Brenda Blethyn, actor Nick Moran,

Stephen Woolley, former chairman of the British Academy, and Sue Lion,

Managing Director of the Encounters International Short Films Festival.

 

Nik Powell, Director of the NFTS, commented,

 

        “It’s often hard for new filmmaking talent to get in front of

        the public - or for the public to get to see the film and TV

        makers of tomorrow before they become “names”.  Virgin’s

        onboard film festival is an inspired way to bring new

        filmmakers and their future audience together, and I hope

        everyone who views and votes enjoys the films as much as we

        enjoyed picking them for this competition.”

 

 

 

Lysette Gauna, Head of Brand for Virgin Atlantic, commented,

 

        “We are delighted to be working with the National Film and

        Television School and supporting new up and coming film talent.

        Virgin Atlantic has a reputation for award winning inflight

        entertainment offering a wide variety of independent films and

        documentaries in addition to the cinema blockbusters.  Through

        this new initiative our passengers will not only get a chance

        to see the best in new filmmaking but they will also help the

        celebrity judges give the next Mike Leigh or Shane Meadows

        their first step up the ladder.  We wish them all the best of

        luck.

 

All passengers who view the short films need to send their nomination to

[email protected].  All those who enter will have the opportunity to win

tickets to see the award winning hit musical, Billy Elliot, The Musical.

 

All Virgin Atlantic aircraft are fitted with personal seat back TV’s for

every passenger.  V:Port, the latest in in-flight entertainment, has over

300 hours of Video and Audio on demand which allows passengers to stop,

start, fast forward and rewind all the action.
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