The Oldenburg Film Festival (September 5-9) has launched a new short film programme in co-operation with the Slamdance Film Festival and based on its "$ 99 Specials" initiative which was a new feature last January.

Twelve of the hottest young German filmmakers will each be provided with a budget of Euros 99 to make a short that will premiere at this year's Oldenburg festival and then screen at Slamdance in January 2002.

Artistic co-ordination for the German initiative is being handled by Berlin filmmaker RP Kahl (Angel Express) who will also direct one of the shorts. Other directors committed to participate so far include Martin Walz (Kondom Des Grauens) and Matthias Glasner (Sexy Sadie).

This collaboration between the Oldenburg and Slamdance festivals follows in the wake of the creation of a German Slamdance Film Festival at this year's Popkomm trade fair in Cologne (August 16-18) to focus on new independent works from Germany and elsewhere in Europe.