Gemma Arterton Poses As Elizabeth Taylor

British film actress Gemma Arterton today launched Virgin Media Shorts 2009, the short film competition which champions undiscovered UK film talent.

The 23 year-old Bond girl and star of current Brit flick The Boat That Rocked, recreated Elizabeth Taylor’s Oscar®-nominated role, Maggie, in the 1958 classic Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to mark the launch of the competition.

Gemma said: "I’m so excited that I got to recreate the iconic shot that made Elizabeth Taylor a household name. She is a complete goddess and my favourite actress in the whole world.

"I had such a ball on set and I hope that by taking people back to the Golden Age of cinema, we’re giving all budding film makers food for thought for Virgin Media Shorts."

Now in its second year, Virgin Media Shorts is the only short film competition to give British film makers the opportunity to have their work showcased to millions of people across the country on four screens on over 200 cinema screens, on TV, on mobile phones and online.

The Grand Prize winner will win up to £30,000 funding, with a chance to work with Virgin Media and the UK Film Council’s New Cinema Fund to make their next short film, as well as the short-listed films being shown on Virgin1 later this year.

Virgin Media Shorts aims to shine a light on the best up and coming British film makers with the help of a prestigious judging panel from across the film industry.

Gemma will team up with Oscar-winning stage and screen actor Kevin Spacey, who appears on the judging panel for the second year running. Together with representatives from Virgin Media and the UK Film Council, the two will also be joined by:

* BAFTA Rising Star award winner, Noel Clarke
* Oscar-nominated British short film director, Daniel Barber
* Film critic and broadcaster, Jason Solomons

Kevin Spacey commented, "With the success of last year’s competition and the high calibre of entries, I’m delighted to be a part of the Virgin Media Shorts judging panel for the second year running. 

As it is increasingly difficult to get a break in the film industry, we're hoping to uncover and champion the next big thing in British film through this worthwhile competition.  I've long been a supporter of emerging talent, and it's why I co-founded the TriggerStreet.com initiative eight years ago."

The competition opens today and film makers are invited to upload their entries through the website virginshorts.co.uk The deadline for entries is midnight on 22nd June 2009. Following this date, all entries will reviewed and short-listed down to just twelve, and the judging panel will go on to select the winning film.

In addition to the overall winner’s award, film makers are also eligible to win the People’s Choice Award, voted for by members of the public, or enter the Mobile Shorts Award - a brand new award for the best film made on a mobile phone. The winners of all three awards will be announced at a glitzy awards ceremony in central London on 22nd September 2009.