Outlander producer to judge XpoNorth festival’s one minute movies

Outlander producer Michael Wilson is one of the judges of OMMF!

As part of its ongoing commitment to provide specialist sector support to the creative economy, XpoNorth is presenting OMMF! – The One Minute Movie Festival.

With lockdown grinding the movie industry to a halt, OMMF! aims to be a celebration of storytelling online.

Its a chance for filmmakers and film-enthusiasts to submit a 60-second movie from any genre, from documentary to animation, which will be screened at the two-day digital festival on November 26 and 27.

Movie makers have just 60 seconds to make an impression in new online film festival.

Movies will fall into two categories: Original, where filmmakers have a minute or less to tell an original story; or Sweded, where entrants recreate a classic movie or scene from a film in a minute or under.

All submissions will be judged by screen and broadcast specialists from the XpoNorth team, as well as Michael Wilson, producer of Outlander, and Gavin Smith, commissioning executive at the BBC.

Jessica Fox, XpoNorth’s film and broadcast sector specialist, said: “While lockdown may have closed film sets around the globe, it’s been heartening to see some real innovation and new ways of working in the industry.

“Just look at the success of Zoom horror, Host, made by a group of friends in only a few weeks.

“It’s that sense of originality we’re hoping to nurture with OMMF! – a chance for filmmakers, whether it’s their first film or their 15th, to get creative and try something new.

“It’s their opportunity to have their work seen by a wide audience and to receive feedback, advice and support from leading industry experts to help our future generation of filmmakers navigate this fast-changing industry.

“I am very much looking forward to seeing the entries come in.”

Prizes will be awarded across three categories – Best Film, Best Sweded and Audience Choice.

As well as the film screenings, OMMF! participants will also have the chance to take part in online masterclasses from leading screenwriters, filmmakers and producers and take part in live Q&As.

Free to enter, budding movie-makers should simply enter via the XpoNorth website. The deadline for submissions is Friday 30 October.