To encourage the next generation of Female Filmmakers.

Lifetime Movie Network (LMN), The Hollywood Reporter, New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), William Morris Agency and Women In Film Los Angeles launched the LMN Student Filmmaker Competition, a national competition designed to encourage and discover the next generation of female filmmakers. Judged by an elite panel of producers, directors, executives and actors from the Hollywood community, the competition will select outstanding short films produced by female film students from across the country.

Judges include: Oscar-nominated actress Angela Bassett; Lauren Shuler Donner, prolific producer of hits such as the “X-Men” movies and “You’ve Got Mail”; Gale Anne Hurd, producer of box office favorites like “The Terminator” movies; Mimi Leder, veteran director of television series like “ER” and “L.A. Law”; actress and producer Jennifer Lopez; Catherine Olim, Managing Director of PMKHBH Public Relations; and a representative from each of the partner organizations. The contest is open to all female film students, including executive producers, producers, writers, cinematographers and editors.

In making the announcement, Louise Henry Bryson, Executive Vice President & General Manager, LMN, said, “As the second most popular women’s network behind Lifetime Television, LMN is very excited to offer this amazing opportunity to the next class of women filmmakers. In 2005, women comprised 17% of all directors, executive producers, producers, writers, cinematographers and editors working on the top 250 domestic grossing films. This is the same percentage of women employed in these roles in 1998. *Through this competition, we hope to grow that percentage by helping to find the next great women filmmakers who will make important contributions to the Hollywood community.”

The first and second place winners will have the opportunity to screen their films at a special program curated by NYWIFT at the 2007 Hamptons International Film Festival in October and honored with a reception afterwards. They will also be invited to attend the 2007 Women in Entertainment Power 100 Breakfast hosted by The Hollywood Reporter and Lifetime Networks in December.

The winning films will be featured on-air on LMN and will be shown in their entirety on LMN’s website, http://www.lmn.tv>. Additionally, the first and second place winners as well as two runners-up will receive cash prizes and will have the opportunity to meet with representatives of the William Morris Agency.

Paula Parisi, Vice President & Executive Editor, The Hollywood Reporter, said, “Throughout the history of film, there have been women making their mark behind the camera, but not in numbers commensurate with their representation in other areas of the business. We’re proud to be part of Lifetime’s efforts to bring more talented women to the attention of people with decision-making power.”

Terry Lawler, Executive Director, NYWIFT, said, “One of New York Women in Film & Television’s mandates is to support, encourage and nurture the next generation of directors, producers, writers, executives and below-the-line craftspersons. If NYWIFT and its sister chapters in the U.S. and abroad are going to achieve their goal of equity in the entertainment field, more women have to be trained and skilled in all facets of the industry. We salute LMN and its partners in undertaking this endeavor. It will help bring our goal of equity to fruition.”

Jane Fleming, President, Women In Film Los Angeles, states, “We are proud to work with our sister chapter in New York, LMN and our other prestigious partners in fostering the next generation of talent for the entertainment industry. This initiative reflects perfectly our commitment to help women of all ages develop their creative voices and further their careers.”

“The Hamptons International Film Festival is thrilled to showcase the winners of the LMN Student Filmmaker Competition at our 15th edition,” said Gianna Chachere, Festival Director. “In conjunction with New York Women in Film & Television, we are celebrating our 5th year of spotlighting female filmmakers and will continue to promote women in the entertainment industry for years to come.”

Competition runs through July 16, 2007 – winners will be announced in October 2007. For more information please go to http://www.LMN.tv/studentfilmmakers>