Ubisoft and IFC Announce Winner of Short Film Competition Inspired by Assassin's Creed Video Game
SAN FRANCISCO - November 1, 2007 - Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, and IFC, the first and largest network dedicated to independent film, announced that Greg Reid's short film "The Ultimate Weapon" won the short film contest inspired by the video game Assassin's Creed—¢ due out in November. As part of the prize package, "The Ultimate Weapon" will debut on IFC on November 14.
Greg Reid's "The Ultimate Weapon" was among more than 100 valid entries submitted for judging via IFC's Media Lab ( http://medialab.ifc.com), a groundbreaking, integrated program which offers filmmakers a destination for posting their independent films online. Submissions were narrowed down to a top 10 list by Ubisoft (including key members of the development team in Montreal) and IFC, with the eventual winner chosen by fans and visitors who voted on IFC.com for the film they liked best.
"While the top 10 entries were all very solid, video game and film fans alike voted Greg Reid's âThe Ultimate Weapon' the clear winner," said Tony Key, vice president of marketing at Ubisoft. "Ubisoft's partnership with IFC yielded some great films and proved to us that Assassin's Creed is able to engage people's imagination and spawn creativity. The story and mystery of the game itself has already struck a chord with fans of video games and film."
"The Assassin's Creed short film submissions we received were outstanding and any of the top 10 entries had a chance to win, but Greg Reid's entry proved itself the best of the field," stated Lee Sparer, vice president of partnerships for IFC. "Part of IFC's mission is to provide a voice to independent filmmakers on all levels, and so it is exciting for us to have offered this opportunity and challenge to our talented filmmakers on Media Lab. We look forward to participating in other similar contests in the future to help platform short films and other video content being produced by undiscovered talent around the country."
Greg Reid claims his grand prize of $10,000, an Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, an Xbox 360 version of Assassin's Creed and inclusion of his short film inside the Limited Edition version of the game. To view the winning film online, and the other top entries, please visit http://medialab.ifc.com/assassinscontest.
"I'm really excited that our Assassins Creed short film, âThe Ultimate Weapon' was selected as the winning film, amid a very competitive line-up of entries," shared Greg Reid, the director and co-writer of short film The Ultimate Weapon. "Assassins Creed has it all from a gaming perspective. Joel Poehlmann and I wrote a film, inspired by the rich and dynamic backdrop of the game. We wanted to create a film and storyline that had it all; a little intrigue, fast-paced action fight sequences and killer still animations. After making the film, I can't wait to play the actual game myself."
About Assassin's Creed
The game is set in 1191 AD, when the Third Crusade was tearing the Holy Land apart. Shrouded in secrecy and feared for their ruthlessness, the Assassins intend to stop the hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict. Players will assume the role of the main character, Altair, and will have the power to throw their immediate environment into chaos and truly experience the art of a master assassin.
In 2006, Assassin's Creed received the Game Critics Award: Best of E3 2006 for "Best Action-Adventure Game" and swept the "Best PS3 Game" category across numerous video game Web sites.*
Assassin's Creed will be available on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and on Xbox 360 at the MSRP of $59.99 in North America, with the Limited Edition priced at $69.99 - rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB. In addition, those who pre-order Assassin's Creed at GameStop will receive an exclusive Assassin's Creed art bonus book when they pick up their game. For more information about Assassin's Creed, please visit www.assassinscreed.com.
*1UP "Best PS3 Game," GameSpot "Best PLAYSTATION 3 Editors' Choice Winner," GameSpy "Best of E3 PS3 Game of the Show," Games Radar "Best of E3 PLAYSTATION 3," GameTrailers "Best of Show," IGN "Best PS3 Game of the Show"
About Ubisoft:
Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong and diversified lineup of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 21 countries and sales in more than 50 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. Ubisoft generated sales of 680 million Euros for the 2006-07 fiscal year. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
® 2007 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
About IFC:
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed network dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut, uncensored and commercial free. The network is part of IFC Companies -- the only brand to operate in every area of independent film to include television, production, financing, distribution, digital, on-demand and exhibition. IFC Companies uses its unique cross-platform position to broaden the audience of independent film and to provide independent filmmakers with a strong voice. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC:
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, Lifeskool, sportskool, and VOOM HD Networks. Through its IFC Entertainment division, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a theatrical feature film distribution company; IFC First Take/IFC in Theaters, a day and date theatrical feature film/VOD initiative; the IFC Center in New York City; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; and IFC Entertainment, which owns and operates a film library. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company, and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.