Twi-hards and/or starry-eyed wannabe filmmakers, listen up: you too can direct your very own “Twilight” movie.
In a multi-faceted partnership with Facebook, the Hollywood professional organization Women In Film, crowdsourcing platform Tongal and “Twilight Saga” author Stephenie Meyer, Lionsgate Films announced today a new “multiphase” social media contest in which a lucky group of aspiring female filmmakers will get the chance to direct a series of short films based on “a broad spectrum” of characters from the “Twilight” universe.
Entitled “The Storytellers – New Creative Voices of The Twilight Saga,” the campaign will enlist “at least five” female filmmakers to direct the short films with the guidance of a “blue chip panel of advisors” including Meyer, “Twilight” star Kristen Stewart, actresses Kate Winslet and Octavia Spencer, “Frozen” writer and co-director Jennifer Lee, “Twilight” director Catherine Hardwicke, “Modern Family” star Julie Bowen and Women In Film President Cathy Schulman.
The five winning films selected by the panel (to be financed through “production advances”) will then debut exclusively on Facebook next year. In addition, one grand prize winner – selected with the help of fans engaged through the Facebook and Tongal platforms – will be rewarded with “a cash prize and career opportunities.”
“We”re delighted to expand our longstanding relationship with Stephenie and confident that her participation in the 'Twilight' short films campaign will add an exciting new dimension to the incredible world she has created as an author and producer,” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer and Vice Chairman Michael Burns in a statement. “Our partnership with Facebook and Women In Film underscores the opportunities for growing our franchises in exciting new directions, and we”re pleased to introduce fresh creative talent to the 'Twilight' universe as part of our commitment to female empowerment in front of and behind the camera.”
“Accessing Hollywood is a momentous challenge, especially for aspiring female filmmakers, so I’m thrilled that Women In Film has been invited to join Stephenie Meyer, Lionsgate and Facebook to empower new storytellers with diverse voices,” added Women In Film President Cathy Schulman. “Women In Film is proud to help recruit and mentor female filmmakers as part of a project that illustrates the power of a beloved book and movie franchise to lessen the gender gap in our film community and provide a platform for women”s perspectives to be seen and heard.”
Chimed in Meyer:
“The female voice is something that has become more and more important to me as I've worked in the film industry. I”m honored to be working with Women In Film, Lionsgate, and Facebook on a project dedicated to giving more women a chance to be heard creatively.”
Will you be participating – either as a fan or a filmmaker – in the “Twilight” short film campaign? Let us know in the comments.