Jamie Foxx joined representatives from LG Electronics Canada at a press conference Tuesday to announce details of the company’s new Life’s Good FilmFest, which is inspired in part by LG’s new series of SL80 HDTVs, being launched in September. "An HD FilmFest is the perfect vehicle to help launch our new series of HDTVs," marketing director Tim Barnes told reporters gathered at Panorama Lounge.
Academy-award winner Foxx, who was set to perform at a concert (hosted by LG) at the Sound Academy Tuesday night, appeared at the event to talk about his experiences breaking into the film and music industries. "I've been lucky and fortunate enough to work with some of the greatest filmmakers in the business," said Foxx, who applauded the concept behind the film festival. "The way you're doing it is absolutely incredible. There is no entry fee and it doesn't matter who you are, you can get your film looked at. I think that's great because there's a lot of people out there that are just waiting in the wings to become that next director, that next actor."
Aspiring filmmakers from around the world have until October 16 to submit their short films. Entries are being accepted in four categories: animation, fashion and music, sports, and narrative. Three of the four category winners will receive $10,000 in prize money, with the overall winner taking home $100,000. The winners will be announced in January.
"There really is no other film festival like the LG Life's Good FilmFest," said Barnes, who noted that LG partnered with Foxx because he's the "perfect person" to help spread the word about the contest. "He is Life's Good. We wanted to make sure we were able to tell the Life's Good story through the launch event and work with someone that would really be excited about it, and he's really excited to work with us...it was just a natural fit," Barnes said.
High Road Communications coordinated the press event.
