Friday, January 5----Pity the poor independent filmmaker who is trying to go to the Sundance Film Festival on the cheap. The Festival has become an industry must, so film distributors, production executives, talent agents and other professionals (all with expense accounts) tend to gobble up almost all the available hotel and condo space, the best tables at restaurants, and the other amenities that exist in crowded Park City.

Filmmakers on a budget need to be creative, and this year, official Festival air carrier Delta Airlines is helping out. Delta is making one lucky filmmaker's dream come true with a short film competition, organized by national film organization Gen Art, which hosts film festivals, music concerts and fashion events in cities across America.

Five short film directors will compete for a cash prize of $10,000, a Gen Art membership worth $2500, plus an all-expense paid trip to the Sundance Film Festival, including air travel, lodging and participation at the Delta Sky Lodge , which will host a number of festival events and parties. And as if that wasn't enough, the prize also includes a pair of international round-trip tickets (perhaps to Cannes, the only other festival more expensive than Sundance).

The five short films can be seen online through January 15 on the website: Delta Airlines Filmmaker Competition. The films will also be presented as in-flight entertainment aboard Delta domestic flights from January 1 through 12. Delta passengers and online viewers will vote for their favorite, with the winner announced on January 16th (just in time to catch a plane for the opening night of the Festival).

So film fans, go check out the website, and cast your vote for your favorite. You will be helping one lucky filmmaker make the scene at Sundance (in style).

Sandy Mandelberger
Sundance Online Dailies Editor