December 16th, 2005 12:00am

read this article on the Vail Daily site

ASPEN - Aspen Filmfest and Plum TV announce an exciting new
partnership to present the fifth annual Local Filmmakers Showcase
leading up to Aspen Shortsfest in early April.

Sporting new categories, prizes totaling more than $3,000, a
free community screening, TV exposure and more, this season's
competition offers local filmmakers an opportunity to showcase
their cinematic chops.

The only limits to the creativity are running time and residency.
Films must be 10 minutes or less, including credits, and filmmakers
must be current local residents of Pitkin, Eagle, or Garfield
counties. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 14. Finalists will
be selected for a special public presentation at the Wheeler Opera
House in early April, prior to the 15th annual Aspen Shortsfest
(April 5-9). The jury will announce this year's winners at this
presentation.

"Best of Category" cash prizes of $300 each will be awarded for
the best documentary, fiction, outdoor/action sports and student
film. The "Best Overall Film" will receive a $500 cash prize, as
well as a production package ($1,500 value) to be used towards the
winner's next short film (which must have a Roaring Fork Valley
theme) to premiere on Plum TV.

"Aspen Filmfest is delighted partner with Plum TV, and this
project is a natural. We share a keen interest in encouraging
local filmmakers of all ages to express themselves and tell their
stories. The showcase is a fun and meaningful and way to support
our homegrown talent," said Laura Thielen, executive director of
Aspen Filmfest.

"The Local Filmmakers Showcase is such a great vehicle for
talented local filmmakers or simply locals who want to try
filmmaking," states Kutcher Miller, general manager at Plum TV.
"This is exactly what we're trying to do at Plum - highlight the
incredible community in which we live, and the incredible people
that live here. Getting to work with filmfest is just icing on
the cake and a great experience for us at Plum and for Aspen at
large. We can't wait to get this started."

Helping filmmakers source appropriate tunes for their works,
Plum TV is making their own music library available. (Any movie
screened on the Plum TV network must have approved music or written
permission for copyrighted material.) Contestants are welcome to
browse the library and choose the music of their liking. Call
925-9579 to make an appointment.

To submit your film, visit www.aspenfilm.org or www.plumtv.com for
complete guidelines and an official entry form. For more
information or questions, call Aspen Filmfest at 970-925-6882 ext. 106.