[SatNews] HISPASAT, the Spanish satellite communications operator and a leader in distribution of content in Spanish and Portuguese, is organizing the HISPASAT 4K International Festival, one of the first film competitions in the world to exclusively feature short films shot in 4K.
4K, or Ultra High Definition (UHD), is the latest technological revolution in the sector. The format constitutes a fourfold increase in the number of pixels of conventional high definition, allowing viewers to enjoy an unparalleled cinematic experience with a never-seen-before image quality. The goal of the event is to inspire the creation and display of audiovisual content in 4K.
HISPASAT has been at the forefront of driving the development and implementation of UHD, with the goal of making it available as soon as possible to film and television viewers.
The Spanish company was the first satellite operator to broadcast in Ultra High Definition in Latin America via the Hispasat 1C satellite, and since September 2013 it has broadcast its Hispasat 4K TV channel free-to-air in Europe, available to the industry as a means to promote the use of this new technology. Since April 2014, Hispasat 4K has also been available in North and Central America, and it is planned to be broadcast in the future in South America.
Cutting-edge technology companies, such as Samsung, Dolby, Canon or SGO, as well as RTVE, Callao City Lights cinema in Madrid and producer Heavents have joined the effort to make this unique contest possible in Spain. Likewise, the festival collaborates with the most prestigious film schools in Spain and Latin America, the students of which will be able to participate in the competition.
The call for entries will be open from July 14 to September 23, 2015. The HISPASAT 4K International Festival is open to films produced in any country, in any genre, with a maximum duration of 20 minutes and shot in 4K format. The following categories and awards have been established:
- HISPASAT AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM: 3,000 euros + Samsung SUHD TV.
- SAMSUNG AWARD FOR BEST LATIN AMERICAN SHORT FILM: 1,000 euros + Samsung SUHD TV.
- RTVE AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM FROM A FILM ACADEMY: 1,000 euros + 2 RTVE Institute 4K specialisation grants.
- CANON AWARD FOR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: 1,000 euros + Canon 4K camera.
- DOLBY AWARD FOR BEST SOUND: 1,000 euros + ATMOS mastering.
Official rules and regulations are available at: http://hispasat4kfest.es/. Entry forms shall be submitted through the MOVIBETA site. The five winning films will be shown at the closing night ceremony, held on November 12, 2015, at the Callao cinema in Madrid.