(28 April 2008 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Nokia in the US has announced a multimedia film production with Oscar nominated director Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing.

Nokia Productions will create the world's first social film built entirely by everyday people using their mobile devices to generate and submit original content which will then be combined into one artistic multimedia film created by Spike Lee.

Lee who will serve as the director of Nokia Productions says, " Nokia notes that the future of filmmaking is changing and mobile-generated art is fast becoming the next medium for film. In five years, I believe we will be watching films in movie theaters that have been shot on a mobile phone.

"Today, with state-of-the-art multimedia devices like what Nokia has to offer, you are seeing first hand the democratization of film. Aspiring filmmakers no longer have to go to film school to make great work. With a simple mobile phone, almost anyone can now become a filmmaker."

The programme will evolve around a central theme of humanity, specifically the way music tells the story of humanity. The film will consist of three acts, each of which will include an assignment for participants that Spike Lee will announce throughout the programme.

To participate in Nokia Productions, consumers can submit their original content consisting of any combination of text, music, video or images during certain time periods till through 21 August at www.nokiaproductions.com.

Each act of the production will last for four weeks. Spike Lee will direct the collaboration digitally from the Web site, guiding and critiquing creative submissions throughout the production. There will also be online assistant directors that will personally help participants revise their entries and then repost for consideration.

After each act closes, Nokia will choose the Top 25 submissions, and visitors will vote for their favorite submission creating the 'Top 10' from which Spike Lee will then choose the winning submission from each act to be integrated into the final film. Five randomly selected contestants from each act will win a Nokia N95 and the opportunity to travel to the film's premier in Los Angeles and meet director Spike Lee.

There will also be weekly giveaways including a new Nokia device and free music download cards.

Nokia US VP marketing Craig Coffey says, "Nokia is excited about connecting people through this first of its kind social experience. With Nokia technology now enabling anyone to collaborate, share and explore in order to participate in something larger than themselves opens up a world of possibilities. We encourage everyone to join with Nokia and Spike Lee to create the world's first social film production."

The final collaborative film containing the three winners' submissions along with other contributed content, will premiere this fall at the soon to open Club Nokia in Los Angeles.