NEWS FROM VIRGIN MEDIA

Mixtape takes London film maker to the BAFTAS
Virgin Media Shorts 2009 winner picks up BAFTA nomination

London film maker Luke Snellin was today nominated for a BAFTA for his short film Mixtape, four month’s after the film picked up the Grand Prize at the Virgin Media Shorts Awards. Mixtape, which was created specifically for last year’s competition, captures the innocence of young love and sees a boy create a compilation tape for a girl he likes. The endearing film was a clear winner for the prestigious judging panel including Kevin Spacey, Gemma Arterton and Noel Clarke, in the competition that aims to shine a light on undiscovered British film talent.

A 23 year old from Ladbroke Grove, Luke is an up and coming writer and director and Mixtape was his second short film, which was created for Virgin Media Shorts. The film features Son of Rambow and Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll star Bill Milner, Charlotte Beaumont and Kate Miles, in a drama involving a young boy who makes a tape from his dad’s 1970s vinyl collection in an attempt to try and woo the girl of his dreams, Lily, who lives next door.

Luke triumphed over more than 2,000 competition entries and will receive £30,000 funding from Virgin Media and the UK Film Council towards his next film, as well as nationwide exposure to millions of people across the country. Mixtape is currently one of the 12 short-listed films that are currently being shown on over 200 cinema screens across the UK, as well as on Virgin Media’s TV on demand service, on the Virgin1 channel, on mobile phone by texting Virgin Media to 80150 and online at www.virginmediashorts.co.uk.

Delighted with his nomination, Luke said, “I was over the moon to find out that I’d been nominated for a BAFTA for Mixtape. I created the film for last year’s Virgin Media Shorts competition and was thrilled when it was chosen to win the main prize by the judging panel including Kevin Spacey and Noel Clarke. Now to hear I’ve been shortlisted for a BAFTA is a dream come true, I’ve had an amazing six months and just hope I can go all the way in February.”

Luke will now have a nervous wait until 21st February when the BAFTAs are awarded at a ceremony at the Royal Opera House in London. Considered to be a key indicator for the Oscars in March, Luke Snellin and Mixtape are tipped for big things in the future.

For more information about Virgin Media Shorts or to see Mixtape, visit www.virginmediashorts.co.uk.

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Notes to Editors

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