Gaia Online Showcases Top Teen Video Submissions at Online Hangout's First Film Festival

Gaia Online Showcases Top Teen Video Submissions at Online Hangout's First Film Festival

20 Winners from 1000+ Entries Shown in Gaia's Virtual Cinemas Alongside New Videos from Entertainment Studio IDEALOGUE, Live Only Once Productions (LOOP) and STASH

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaia Online, the fastest growing online hangout for teens, today announced its first film festival, showcasing the top video shorts created by some of the more than two million teens who visit Gaia Online every month. The winning videos, selected from among more than 1300 entries, are being shown July 23-30 in the Gaia Cinemas, virtual movie theaters where Gaia members can watch movies together, chat, throw popcorn, fireballs and tomatoes.

The Gaia Film Festival will also feature the premiere screening of the Gaia Online documentary, an inside look at the creation and growth of Gaia through interviews with the founders and devoted fans created by Live Only Once Productions (LOOP), as well as a content showcase from STASH DVD Magazine.

"The sheer volume and creativity of the video submissions for the Gaia Film Festival attest to the intense loyalty Gaia members feel for this online hangout and community, which they make so rich and rewarding with their contributions," said Craig Sherman, CEO, Gaia Online. "We're happy to give back to the community too with stellar content for the Gaia Cinemas from IDEALOGUE, LOOP and STASH. It's high-quality entertainment for teens that can't be found anywhere else on the web."

Videos for the Gaia Film Festival were submitted through a devoted entertainment channel on You Tube over a 10-day period. All videos had to be at least two minutes in length and involve Gaia Online in some way. The winning videos, selected by Gaia staff, were judged in two categories - "My Film is Awesome" and "My Film is Awful." A complete list of winners is included below.

The Gaia Film Festival will end the month with the worldwide premiere of the MMVII film trailer, the first glimpse into the Gaia Online Trilogy Films. MMVII was created by entertainment studio IDEALOGUE and was directed by world- class animation artists Tronic Studio with soundtrack by Drazen Bosnjak of Q Department.

The premise of MMVII is that the once peaceful world of Gaia is on the brink of unavoidable chaos. An age-old prophecy has begun to materialize, filling all who know of it with a sense of impending doom. Louise Von Helson - the heir to Gaia's most powerful vampire coven - is sent on a murder mission by his father, Vladimir Von Helson. The target, his brother. Louie sets out into the night but the darkness hold unexpected distractions. At war with his birthright and the world, Louie must determine the lives of millions. As the prophecy descends upon Gaia, some take to the shadows, and some to the light.

The Gaia Cinemas opened earlier this year to the delighted approval of the community. Public domain classics such as Night of the Living Dead have been viewed millions of times. Trailers for movies such as Time Warner's Gracie, Nancy Drew and The Last Mimzy have also been shown as part of immersive quests in which Gaia members can earn virtual goods related to the films.

The winning videos, listed below, and other film festival content can be accessed at the following link (free registration to Gaia Online is required): http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30041889

Gaia Online - "My Film is Awesome" Awards
* Best Action Film: Gaia - Gaian Agents in Action
* Best Special Effects: Ninja Boy's Special Gaia Techniques
* Most Dramatic: Gaia: Reach From The Stars
* Most Accurate Reportage: Lanzer's Basement
* Best Horror Film: The Shady Tree
* Most Tragic: A Gaia Film Entry
* Best Animation: The Adventures of Kiki
* Most Profoundly Depressing: My Friend KiKi
* Most Lifelike: Gaia Alive
* Special Achievement in Style: The Internets
* Special Achievement in Artistry: The Dreamer

Gaia Online - "My Film is Awful" Awards
* Worst Acting: Gaia Commercial
* Grand Prize Winner for Awfulness: The bestest gaia film ever!
* Worst War Film: Gaiaonline UNDER ATTACK
* Worst Salesmanship: Fan made Gaia MC ad
* Worst Horror Film: A Zombie walks into the Chatterbox
* Special Achievement in Cross-Dressing: Gaia Beauty Pageant
* Worst Original Soundtrack: The Ron Bruise Gaia Rap
* Worst Music Video: I Got A Lovely Bunch Of Gaian Coconuts
* Worst Soap Opera: ROFLOMGBBQ! Gaia

About Gaia Online

Founded in 2003, Gaia Online is the fastest-growing hangout on the web. Millions of teens come to Gaia every month to make friends, play games, watch movies in Gaia's virtual theaters, and participate in the world's most active online community. Gaia provides a fun, social environment that inspires individuality and creativity. With everything from art contests to discussion forums on poetry, politics, celebrities and more, to fully customizable profiles, digital characters and cars, Gaia is a place where teens can create their own space and express their individual style. For more information, visit www.gaiaonline.com.

About IDEALOGUE

IDEALOGUE is a new media entertainment studio founded in 1998 by South African Jacqueline Bosnjak and Mark Beukes. IDEALOGUE specializes in integrated, scalable cross media entertainment properties for brands. www.idealogue.com.

About Live Only Once Productions (LOOP)

Live Only Once Productions (LOOP) is a production company specializing in documentary films. Founder and journalist KimChi Tyler utilizes her award- winning filmmaker background to develop journalistically-driven documentaries. www.loopfilms.com

About Tronic Studio

Tronic Studio was founded in 2001 by Columbia Architecture graduates Jesse Seppi and Vivian Rosenthal. Tronic's work moves between broadcast, branded content, architecture, and experiential design.

www.tronicstudio.com

About Drazen Bosnjak

Drazen Bosnjak is the founder of Q Department, a thrill-seeking music and sound design studio dedicated to stealth adaptation of technology and information to perform noteworthy missions through entertainment. www.qdepartment.com

About STASH DVD Magazine

STASH is the monthly DVD showcase of animation, VFX and motion graphics packed with outstanding commercials, broadcast design, branded content, music videos, virals, game cinematics, short films, behind-the-scenes extras plus bonus films and music tracks. Each issue also includes a 40-page companion book of production notes, color stills, credits and links. STASH is the essential creative resource for designers, ad agencies, broadcasters, animation and VFX studios, post houses, production companies and schools in over 50 countries. www.stashmedia.tv

Gaia Online is a trademark of Gaia Interactive, Inc. 2007. All rights reserved.

Source: Gaia Online

CONTACT: Trevor Jonas, Bite Communications for Gaia Online,
+1-415-365-0360, trevor.jonas@bitepr.com

Web site: http://www.gaiaonline.com/
http://www.stashmedia.tv/
http://www.qdepartment.com/
http://www.loopfilms.com/
http://www.idealogue.com/

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