Pierce Brosnan to judge best of short films at TMC festival

Actor Pierce Brosnan and director Terry Gilliam will be among other high-profile judges at this year's TCM Classic Shorts film competition - reports CNN.

The seventh annual competition, held during the London Film Festival, is open to submissions until September 1.

TCM Classic Shorts has brought together some of the world's best in short film offerings, as well as attracting the most accomplished artists in the industry as panelists.

In additon to Brosnan, best known for his role as James Bond, and Gilliam, a Monty Python alumnus and director of "Brazil" and "Time Bandits," other panel judges include:

* Actors Imelda Staunton ("Vera Drake" and "Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix"), Richard E. Grant ("Withnail and I" and "Gosford Park") and Matthew Modine ("Full Metal Jacket" and "Short Cuts").

* Directors Stephen Woolley ("The Crying Game" and "Stoned"), Sally Potter ("Orlando" and "Yes") and Stephen Poliakoff ("Close My Eyes" and "The Lost Prince").

The winner of the best film award -- to be announced in November -- will receive a £10,000 (about $17,600) cash prize.

TCM Classic Shorts, which began in 2000, has grown to become one of the most prestigious short film competitions in Europe.

Among the judges at last year's competition were actors Dame Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman and Kate Winslet, as well as director Gurinder Chadha -- best known for film such as "Bhaji on the Beach," "Bend it Like Beckham" and "Bride & Prejudice."

Taking top honors in 2005 was "Jane Lloyd," a four-minute film that tells its story without the use of dialogue. An edited version of the film has been used by singer David Gray as the video for his new single, "Alibi."

The 2004 winner, "Nits," was later screened as part of the Quinzaine des Realisateurs at the Cannes Film Festival.

Two previous finalists -- "Brown Paper Bag," directed by Michael Baig Clifford, and "About A Girl," directed by Brian Percival -- followed up their TCM Classic Shorts success by winning top short film honors from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

Thanks to `Kyvan` for the alert.

Discuss this news here...