Entertainment

Movies gain popularity online
(HISPANIC PR WIRE – CONTEXTO LATINO)--In the entertainment world, creativity and imagination have categorized themselves as determining factors when it comes to gaining public acceptance and grasping its attention, especially when it comes to films. Film directors and producers are becoming overwhelmed by the need to constantly search for interesting topics and ideas that they can transform into that long-awaited blockbuster. In spite of the magic of technology, where you can create your own cinema in-house, going to the movie theater to catch a flick continues to be a favorite pastime for the consumer who enjoys feature films. But did you know that short films are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative means of entertainment thanks to the Internet?

Previously, the creation and production of short films was limited to screenings at college campuses and film festivals. Although short films have been promoted online for quite some time, they are experiencing their best moment ever. The Internet has transformed this industry into a lucrative and the new Hollywood; it has sparked the interest of film lovers who want to catch up on short films, most notably the Hispanic moviegoer, according to AOL Latino.

This new trend among Hispanics has paved the way for numerous film festivals like the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) and the Chicago Latino Film Festival, which present a wide array of short film screenings that reflect the Latino culture in Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the United States. It has also sparked an explosion of websites where movie fans can enjoy this particular film genre, these include cinemanow.com, atomfilms.com and 60secondfilmfestival.com, among others.

In an effort to support new Hispanic talent, AOL Latino has created the first online short film festival: The AOL Latino Short Film Festival. This one of a kind festival offers up-and-coming filmmakers the chance to present their original short films about Hispanics in English, Spanish or Bilingual. "We're very exited about offering the public this festival; we've found the perfect way of promoting Latino talent while offering to screen their short films in front of millions of people", said Ángel Sepúlveda Senior Programming Manager, Music & Entertainment, AOL Latino.

Every week starting on June 1st, AOL Latino will be showcasing three new screenings for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own home, while offering you the opportunity to vote for your favorites. You'll help select 16 finalists who will then be evaluated by a panel of experts. The festival will be open for six months and anyone who'd like to participate with a short or with a vote can do so online at http://entretenimiento.aol.com The winner will receive $5,000 in cash and an opportunity to present his or her film to an important Hollywood movie studio.

There is no doubt that the Internet provides new filmmakers with the opportunity to showcase their creativity, without having to hire a publicist or agent in order to pitch it to a major studio. In this growing industry, talent is the key to successfully captivate the growing audience online.

Experiencing a short film provides the viewer with a deep and immediate gratification, because he or she is able to maintain a better concentration and understanding of the message that the filmmaker is trying to convey. That's why, we can assure that "shorts" are becoming more and more popular online.

Source: Hispanic PR Wire