The International Film Festival of Mumbai (IFFM) is launching a short film competition as part of the celebrations for its ten-year anniversary this year.

Organised by the Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image (MAMI), the 10th IFFM will be held March 6-13. While the festival line-up will be announced next month, the trustees and MAMI chairman Shyam Benegal unveiled the short film contest, Dimensions Mumbai, for filmmakers below the age of 25.

Mooted by trustee Jaya Bachchan, the competition invites five-minute films on any aspect of Mumbai and carries with it a cash prize of $2,500 (Rs100,000) for the best film, $750 (Rs30,000) for the first runner-up and $500 (Rs20,000) for the second runner-up.

Benegal said: 'We are interested in seeing how upcoming talent uses new technology which makes filmmaking more economical. Through Dimensions, we are endeavoring to increase participation and interactivity in the festival.'

Bachchan added: 'The jury will assess the entries not just on the basis of creativity, but also on use of techniques and budget.'

All media including DV, film, mini DV and cellular phones are admissible although the final version must be presented on DVD format by February 23. More information is available at www.iff-mumbai.org.

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