GSMA & MOFILM Announce Kevin Spacey as Film Festival Host and Keynote Speaker at the Mobile World Congress

GSMA & MOFILM Announce Kevin Spacey as Film Festival Host and Keynote Speaker at the Mobile World Congress

Chevrolet unveiled as strategic partner of world's first global mobile short film festival - with a grand prize of the new Chevrolet 'Cruze' car for winning filmmaker

LONDON, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Two-time Academy Award-winning actor and director Kevin Spacey will headline at the GSMA's Mobile World Congress (16-20 February 2009) in Barcelona, as host of the MOFILM Mobile Short Film Festival and mobile entertainment keynote speaker, the GSMA and MOFILM jointly announced today.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081203/AQW504-a)
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081203/AQW504-b)

The MOFILM Mobile Short Film Festival follows the success of the GSMA's previous collaborations with the Sundance Institute to create the Global Short Film Project at the Mobile World Congress in 2007, and in 2008 with the launch of the MOFILM brand to showcase the work of short film directors representing the Cannes, Locarno and Shanghai Film Festivals and the Sundance Channel -- supported by film legend Robert Redford and actress, writer and director Isabella Rossellini.

The MOFILM Mobile Short Film Festival is the first of its kind, and highlights the increasing influence of the mobile medium on the entertainment industry, bringing together art, commerce and technology. The 2009 initiative comes on a wave of a new generation of sophisticated multimedia-enabled mobile handsets and value-added operator services, providing new opportunities to enjoy short form video.

Spacey, the star of Hollywood blockbusters American Beauty, The Usual Suspects and LA Confidential, among many others and currently artistic director of London's renowned Old Vic theatre, will host the MOFILM Mobile Short Film Festival, presenting the prize for the best short film of 5 minutes or less in length that are submitted by film makers from around the world. He will also participate in a keynote interview at the Congress on Thursday 19th February 2009.

"We are thrilled that Kevin Spacey, one of the world's most revered and respected actor/directors, will join us in Barcelona to share some refreshing and provocative perspectives on the potential of mobile entertainment and host the world's first global mobile film festival," said Michael O'Hara, chief marketing officer of the GSMA.

Chevrolet, the strategic partner of the MOFILM festival, will present the winning filmmaker with a brand new Chevrolet 'Cruze' compact family car, launched at the Paris Motor Show last month. Cruze challenges the idea that a car with outstanding value cannot also be refined. The Cruze enters showrooms in Europe next spring and will spearhead a new generation of Chevrolet vehicles worldwide.

"We are very proud to be part of the GSMA - MOFILM mobile film festival. I believe this event is very much aligned with the inspiration of the Cruze -- a unique composition of design, comfort, convenience, safety, operating efficiency and value for money that goes beyond expectations," said Wayne Brannon, Executive Director, Chevrolet Europe.

MOFILM has received entries from filmmakers in over 40 countries around the world to date. Due to an overwhelming response, MOFILM has announced an extension to the deadline for film submission to Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009. See http://www.mofilm.com/.

"The operator community globally has been steadily moving to a world of mobile broadband powered visual entertainment on the move," said Andy Baker, CEO of MOFILM. "The Mobile World Congress is absolutely unique as a stage for thought leading business, technology and creative minds to share and debate perspectives on the future of this powerful new medium."

Technology partner, Accenture, through its recent acquisition of Origin Digital will supply an innovative video sharing and upload technology that supports film submissions for the event. Origin Digital is one of the industry's leading video applications service providers and now part of Accenture Digital Media Services.

The GSMA's Mobile World Congress is the world's premiere meeting place for the global mobile industry, with more than 50,000 visitors expected. For more information on Mobile World Congress, please visit http://www.mobileworldcongress.com/.

About the GSMA

The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade association representing more than 750 GSM mobile phone operators across 218 countries and territories of the world. The Association's members represent more than 3 billion GSM and 3GSM connections -- over 86% of the world's mobile phone connections. In addition, more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association's initiatives as key partners. The primary goals of the GSMA are to ensure mobile phones and wireless services work globally and are easily accessible, enhancing their value to individual customers and national economies, while creating new business opportunities for operators and their suppliers.

For more information, please visit http://www.gsmworld.com/

About MOFILM

MOFILM is a pioneer of content for mobile and online services, working with the mobile industry and film makers to promote exciting and simple to use services. Based in the UK, MOFILM has worked previously with the GSMA and leading film festivals and specialises in creating compelling 'in show' experiences, content distribution and provides a range of consulting services.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081203/AQW504-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081203/AQW504-b
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: GSM Association

CONTACT: David Pringle of GSMA, press@gsm.org; or Ralph Cochrane of
MOFILM, +44 207 193 2453, Ralph.cochrane@mofilm.com

Web site: http://www.gsmworld.com/
http://www.mofilm.com/
http://www.mobileworldcongress.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Please note images for this release are available - please email: laura.bryant@the-cc-group.com.

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