Teen-Directed Short Films Starring Lost and 30 Rock Actors Compete for America's Vote

Teen-Directed Short Films Starring Lost and 30 Rock Actors Compete for America's Vote

REESE'S Puffs(R) Extraordinary Cinema Gives Teens a Taste of Hollywood

CHICAGO, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Two teen-directed short films featuring Dominic Monaghan (LOST, FlashForward) and Bobb'e J. Thompson (30 Rock, Role Models) are premiering on fresh-films.com as part of the REESE'S Puffs® Extraordinary Cinema program. REESE'S Puffs teamed-up with Fresh Films, the nation's top filmmaking program for teens, to create the Extraordinary Cinema program, which provides creative teenagers nationwide the chance to get their big break in Hollywood over spring break. The two films, "Gloria," featuring Monaghan, and "K-RUN FM," featuring Thompson, are competing to win America's vote on fresh-films.com through May 3, giving one group of teens the chance to win $9,000 in scholarships (to be divided equally between the winning team).

"The REESE'S Puffs Extraordinary Cinema program proves that if you take teens seriously they will amaze you," said Dominic Monaghan. "I'm excited America gets the chance to cast their vote in support of these teens, because every vote is a real way to encourage the creativity and passion of the next generation of filmmakers."

REESE'S Puffs Extraordinary Cinema program hosted a nationwide search in February for teens looking for a chance to get their big break. In March, 17 teens were flown to Hollywood over their spring break, where they worked on one of two all-teen crews to create short films featuring celeb actors Monaghan and Thompson. In true Fresh Films fashion, the selected teens replaced the pros on set, coordinating every aspect of film production from story development to casting, to shooting and editing their films. And they did it all in just seven days time.

"I got my big break in front of the camera when I was just five years old and it feels great to give other teens their big break behind the camera thanks to the REESE'S Puffs Extraordinary Cinema program," said Bobb'e J. Thompson. "There's no age limit for talent and all of America will see that."

The teen filmmakers are sharing their extraordinary experiences with their schools, communities and local media as they campaign to win America's votes. Voting is open from April 12 - May 3 online at fresh-films.com with the winning team receiving scholarship money that will help them pursue creating dreams and harness their creativity on and off-screen. Both films also will debut in millions of households via On Demand in May.

"America should definitely stand behind teenagers because it's important that we feel support now, when we're young, so we can be even more confident and ready to make our mark on the world," said Julian Sergi, a REESE'S Puffs Extraordinary Cinema filmmaker from Illinois.

REESE'S Puffs® Extraordinary Cinema filmmakers include:

Leno Bradby Virginia Eduardo Sanchez Florida
Travis Dockter New Mexico Julian Sergi Illinois
Desire Giles New Jersey Matthew Stettner Minnesota
Gabrielle Jewell Texas Camille Suknovich Illinois
Austin Lee Oregon Eddie Tomaselli New York
Nkonyezi Nanyamka Texas Sara Wedel California
Michael Nordstrom Iowa Ashley Vorshak Ohio
Christian Moffitt Indiana Kevin Yurasovich Indiana
Kevin Perez Georgia

To meet the filmmakers, watch behind the scenes footage or to check out the teen-created movies log onto fresh-films.com.

ABOUT FRESH FILMS

Fresh Films is America's largest filmmaking competition for teens. Since 2002 it's given thousands of teens the chance to bring their creative dreams to the big screen. This year Fresh Films joined forces with REESE'S Puffs® cereal to create REESE'S Puffs® Extraordinary Cinema to empower teens' creative dreams. Fresh Films has produced over 80 films, premiered at over 20 festivals and engaged 65 million teens. For more information on the Fresh Films program visit: http://www.fresh-films.com/. Fresh Films is created and produced by Dreaming Tree Films, a Chicago-based film production company dedicated to youth empowerment through the Arts.

ABOUT REESE'S PUFFS®

REESE'S Puffs® cereal is part of the General Mills Big G cereal portfolio, with brands such as Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, Trix and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. The entire Big G cereal line is made with whole grains. REESE'S Puffs® cereal, introduced in 1994, has the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter flavor. Reese's is a registered trademark used under license.

Source: Dreaming Tree Films

CONTACT: Alana Bardauskis, Publicity of Dreaming Tree Films,
+1-773-334-8380 x111, alanab@dreamingtreefilms.com; or Shelly Dvorak,
Publicity of REESE'S Puffs, +1-763-764-6451, shelly.dvorak@genmills.com

Web Site: http://www.dreamingtreefilms.com/
http://www.fresh-films.com/

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