Cannes 2008 Exclusive: Michel Gondry Joins Babelgum Jury

The Eternal Sunshine helmer has judged submitted music videos.

by | May 16, 2008 | Comments

Rotten Tomatoes can reveal that Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind director Michel Gondry has joined the jury for the Babelgum Online Film Festival, the award ceremony for which takes place early next week here in Cannes.

Babelgum, a new interactive web TV portal, has attracted more than 1000 entries for its first online film festival, representing work from 86 countries. The festival has invited amateur filmmakers to submit homemade films through the Internet to compete for a €20,000 prize pot in each category.

Gondry, who made his name directing short films for the likes of Björk, Radiohead and The White Stripes, has been judging the festival’s music video category. He has shortlisted two films, Mouthface and Lightning Bolts and Man Hands which, along with a third chosen by public vote, Phantom Punch will go forward for jury chairman Spike Lee to choose a winner.

Visitors to Babelgum’s website are invited to review the shortlisted films for a chance to win a trip to the awards ceremony in Cannes on Tuesday.

Cannes Film Festival

The nominees in full are:

Animation
– A Letter to Colleen — Jury-chosen
– Dear Sweet Emma — Jury-chosen
– Quidam Degomme (A Sheep on a Roof) — Audience-chosen

Documentary
– The Market – Jury
– WAYout — Jury
– GREATER: Defeating AIDS — Audience

Looking for Genius
– Sotto Il Mio Giardino (Under My Garden) — Jury
– Les Anges Malicieux — Jury
– Am Ende des Gartens Sind Zwei Kinder — Audience

Music Video
– Mouthface – Jury
– Lightning Bolts and Man Hands (Music — Hymie’s Basement) — Jury
– Sondre Lerche (Phantom Punch) — Audience

Short Film
– Officer Down – Jury
– Jellyfish — Jury
– Pre-Life/Post-Life — Audience

Social/Environment
– Fill – Jury
– Without Words — Jury
– What is Tragedy? — Audience

Spot/Advertising
– Saber Beer – Jury
– The Pocket Crossborder — Jury
– Buy Safe Media — Jury

Learn more about the films competing and the festival here.