Paul Haggis joins Filminute jury

One-minute film competition taps 'Crash' director

By JENNIE PUNTER

TORONTO -- Paul Haggis will sit on jury for the third Filminute Festival, a multimedia, multinational fest of one-minute films founded by Canadian expats John Ketchum and Sabaa Quao.

The fest, which will feature 25 quick pics, runs throughout September on mobile devices (via download), on TV and at public screenings in Toronto, London and Bucharest, Romania.

Bucharest-based Ketchum and London-based Quao announced the jury Tuesday and it includes advertising exec David Kennedy, Fipresci board member Dr. Andrea Dittgen, novelist Francisco Goldman and editor Taketo Oguchi.

In addition to jury prizes, the public will select a People's Choice winner.

"The best stories, the best films and our most passionate audiences could come from anywhere," Quao said. "With submissions from over 45 countries last year, we've proven our point. The Best Filminute winner in 2007 was from Bulgaria."

 Selfridges department store in London will host the fest's interactive screening and media presentation space at the Wonder Wall. In Toronto, the Royal Ontario Museum's Institute of Contemporary Culture will program a live event.

 Filminute is accepting entries until midnight (PST), Aug. 20. 

More information and full details are available at www.filminute.com. Selected films will be available for viewing on the website from Sept. 1.