TORONTO -- The Ontario government is launching a student film competition to produce public service announcements that will play in Ontario movie theatres, explaining the province’s film classification system, Minister of Government Services Gerry Phillips announced today.

“We’re tapping the creativity of the many film, television and animation students in the province,” said Phillips, who officially launched the competition at Ryerson University School of Image Arts today. “This competition will help the movie-going public in Ontario, particularly families, make informed decisions about the films they go to see and also help students achieve academic excellence.”

Students must submit storyboard entries or similar visual presentations of their 60-second public service announcements to the Ontario Film Review Board (OFRB), the government agency responsible for the classification of all movies played in Ontario theatres.

The message must explain film classifications, with an emphasis on the PG rating, and tell viewers where to find more information on film classifications in Ontario.

“This project will not only serve to enlighten our movie audiences about Ontario’s film classification process, but it will also give students an opportunity to showcase their work and gain profile in the film industry,” said OFRB Chair Janet Robinson.

Five entries will be selected to work with a mentor from the film or advertising industry to produce their film. The five finalists will also receive up to $7,500 each to cover production costs.

Up to three winners will be chosen and their clips will be distributed to all Ontario theatres to be shown prior to feature film presentations. Winners will also have the opportunity to have their films screened at an awards ceremony in September 2006.

“This is a very exciting opportunity – for student filmmakers to make their mark and for movie theatres to promote film classifications in a creative, highly visible manner,” said Adina Lebo, Executive Director of Motion Picture Theatre Associations of Canada.

The competition is open to all students enrolled in any of the 25 post-secondary film studies programs in Ontario.

More Information:

• Backgrounder: Promoting film classification system while offering student filmmakers chance to showcase their talents
• For competition rules and entry form, visit the OFRB website.