It would appear that Lionsgate and Stephenie Meyer aren’t done with the ‘Twilight‘ franchise quite yet as they have teamed up to make some new short films based off of the series to be released online. Yes, the cult followed ‘Twilight’ series isn’t dead yet. This new series is part of ‘The Storytellers — New Creative Voices of The Twilight Saga’ and is described as a “multiphase contest” that will give five or more female filmmakers a chance to helm the new shorts and usher them into the digital world.
Who is going to choose these filmmakers? That list will comprise of: Meyer herself, Kristen Stewart, Kate Winslet, Octavia Spencer, Jennifer Lee, Catherine Hardwicke, Julie Bowen, and the president of Women In Film, Cathy Schulman.
I love the initiative to increase exposure to creative women out there who often don’t get the credit that they deserve but I wish they could find another outlet to do it with.
When it all comes together fans will help vote on the best short and the winner will receive an unannounced monetary prize as well as ways to help forward their career. Fans will also be able to help with the development and productions on the film on both Facebook and Tongal.
According to Facebook Vice President of Partnerships Dan Rose:
“More people than ever before are creating, discovering and engaging with videos on Facebook. This collaboration with Stephenie Meyer, Lionsgate and Women In Film is a great opportunity to engage Twilight’s massive global audience on Facebook through an innovative premium video program.”
Sounds like a great way for Facebook to try to move in on the currently video dominated YouTube and Vimeo.
Meyer adds that, “The female voice is something that has become more and more important to me as I’ve worked in the film industry. I’m honored to be working with Women In Film, Lionsgate and Facebook on a project dedicated to giving more women a chance to be heard creatively.”
Love the franchise or, like me and a few others hate it, this is still a positive initiative to a select set of up and coming female directors.
What are your thoughts on more ‘Twilight’? Are you happy to hear that the franchise has found a way to return even if in a limited manner or is this where they should be bringing back another franchise to help it alone, specifically that of ‘Blade‘?
Source: Yahoo