Three British film critics were today (May 3)given a taste of their own medicine. Kim Newman, Nick Bradshaw and Jessica Mellor were each given a producer, a film crew and just 24 hours to come up with a short film lasting not more than 100 seconds.

The stunt marked the launch of Millimetraggi (100mm), a new short film strand being launched by Universal Studios Network (USN) in Europe. The network will set up local competitions with winners able to take their scripts to completion in a ten day stint with Working Title films in London.

"We hope the project will help emerging film-makers get their first break in the industry and give them that much-needed 100 seconds of fame," said Michael Barry, creative director of USN.

USN expects to commission over a hundred 100mm shorts this year and screen them across its film channels the Studio and Studio Universal in the UK, Germant, France, Italy and Spain.

"This kind of initiative is the ultimate form of convergence: new ideas, new talent and new technology," said Barry.

The results of the critics' film-making attempts will be screened tomorrow (May 4) at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts.