Mercury inspires next generation Latino filmakers.

It’s “lights, camera, action” time for up-and-coming Latino filmmakers who can now enter the Mercury Latino Lens Short Film Challenge for a chance to produce and showcase their original short films to consumers nationwide and compete for exclusive grand prizes. Mercury has teamed with the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) to find the top emerging and student filmmakers in the U.S. who will receive a $10,000 production budget to produce their screenplay that follows the Mercury’s theme of “Mucho Por Descubrir” (Much to Discover) and touches on the Latino experience in the U.S. The call for entries is now open and runs through July 14.

“Mercury is excited to support the Latino filmmakers and the independent film community by offering them a chance to showcase their creative skills on a national level,” said Dave Rodriguez, multicultural marketing manager for Ford and Lincoln Mercury brands. “With NALIP’s leadership in the Latino film industry, we hope to shine a spotlight on these worthy filmmakers while motivating consumers to discover something new and different – just like they can with Mercury Mariner.”

With a mission to increase the quality and quantity of images by and about Latinos everywhere, NALIP is the only national organization committed to supporting Latino film, television and documentary writers, as well as producers, directors, performers, key crew and other media makers. NALIP will oversee the submission and judging process for the Mercury Latino Lens Short Film Challenge™ and will select a panel of industry professionals to evaluate screenplay submissions and chose 10 semifinalists based on criteria, such as dialogue, plot line, uniqueness and overall tone.

The Blue Ribbon panel of judges will then select three emerging professional and student filmmakers who will be named finalists and given a $10,000 production budget to create and direct their original three to five minute short film on digital video (DV). Robert Rodriguez, director of “Desperado,” “From Dusk Till Dawn,” and “Sin City” will be a member of the Blue Ribbon panel of judges along with fellow Latino directors Rodrigo Garcia (“Nine Lives” “Carnivale”) and Gabriela Tagliavini (“Ladies’ Night”, “30 Days Until I’m Famous”). As finalists go into production, NALIP will facilitate mentoring through their extensive network of industry experts.

All six of the finalists’ films will be displayed at the Cine Mercury Online Screening Room (www.cinemercury.com) from the week of October 2 until November 13, and users can visit the site to view and vote for their favorite film. The six films will receive exclusive screenings in Los Angeles, San Antonio and Miami during that period. The short films will also be screened at the annual NALIP Conference 8 in Newport Beach, CA, in March of 2007.

“NALIP is committed to developing and showcasing the wealth of Latino creative talent wherever possible,” says Kathryn Galan, executive director of NALIP. “We are so proud to see Mercury offering this tremendous opportunity to filmmakers, one that funds and celebrates their work en route to launching careers in a field where we need great Latino voices and images.”

The student filmmaker with the most votes at the end of the period will receive a grand prize package that includes a $5,000 scholarship to an institution of their choice and an HDV digital video camera. The top emerging professional will receive a $5,000 production grant towards their next project plus travel and screening passes to the 2007 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, as part of the “NALIPsters at Sundance” program. All six finalists will receive a one-year NALIP membership.