Operators of a website dedicated to short films are preparing to take the first step in bringing short films to a wider audience. The ShortFilmChannel.com is assembling a hour pilot for a proposed cable network dedicated to short films. At the moment, the Channel's only outlet is a website, but the eventual goal is an MTV style cable channel running short films, interviews with filmmakers and how-to shows on film production. The current project, aimed at existing cable

networks, will be a one-hour, hosted show presenting a variety of short films, according to the channel's producer Bruce Wayne Gillies.

After four years of research and promotion Gillies believes that the ShortFilmChannel can mutually benefit viewers, investors and filmmakers. Since even most Oscar winning shorts films are rarely seen by the general public, the ShortFilmChannel plans to create an outlet for this glut of unseen films. The channel would be able to pick up a high quality product at a relatively low cost while paying filmmakers up to $5000 a film.

"The resources are out there. It's just that nobody's harnessed it to create an industry," Gillies said. In addition to the pilot, The ShortFilmChannel's website which information on shorts, links to festival website and the beginnings of short films database.

http://shortfilmchannel.com

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