reported by Dawn Cassidy, CyberScreenwriter.com

Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, and the Independent Film Channel (IFC), the first and largest network dedicated to independent film, announced the creation of a short film contest inspired by the video game Assassin’s Creed™ due out in November.

Beginning today, film students, video game fans and media arts aficionados are encouraged to submit their short film of six-minutes or less, based on Assassin’s Creed themes for judging via IFC’s Media Lab (http://medialab.ifc.com), a ground-breaking, integrated program which offers filmmakers a destination for posting their independent films online. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000, an Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, an Xbox 360 version of Assassin’s Creed and inclusion of their short film inside the Limited Edition version of the game. The winning film will also be aired on the IFC television network in November to coincide with the launch of the game.

“Assassin’s Creed has the cinematic look and feel of an epic movie. This contest allows film makers of all levels a chance to showcase their creativity by expanding upon the mystery and themes of the Assassin’s Creed video game,” said Tony Key, vice president of marketing at Ubisoft. “Video games, like films, have the ability to tell rich and dynamic stories and the partnership with IFC for the Assassin’s Creed short film contest is a way for Ubisoft to show its appreciation to the art. We’re excited to see what people bring to the table; I have a feeling we won’t be disappointed.”

Finalists will be selected by a panel of IFC and Ubisoft judges and their films will be posted on the IFC Web site, to be viewed and voted on by fans and visitors who will ultimately choose the grand prize winner. Two “runner-up” prizes include $2,500 cash, an Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, an Xbox 360 version of Assassin’s Creed and inclusion of their short film inside the Limited Edition version of the game. Their short film will be aired on the IFC television network. Winners will be announced on or before November 30.