Cool Hunting

by Brian Rigney Hubbard

Netflix and Film Independent have teamed up to find the next great independent filmmaker, launching a nationwide online vote to rival the likes of American Idol. The contest features 10 semifinalists, chosen from over 2000 scripts, and a viral social media campaign drives it all—complete with its own Facebook application. The top five vote-getters will move on to the final round to be judged by heavy hitters Josh Brolin, Dustin Lance Black (screenwriter of "Milk"), Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen (producers of "Milk" and "American Beauty"), Columbia Pictures' Stephanie Allain and the indie institution John Sayles.

The films range from comedies to dramas and cover every current topic imaginable, including the intersection between technology and art in the virtual reality thriller "Sarahn_12." (A still from it is pictured above.) "Our film is all about the ever encroaching questions surrounding online behavior in our society, so I think if we get our funding through an internet contest, it'll be perfect," says filmmaker Sasie Sealy. "Whether it is Myspace or Facebook or Second Life, entire generations are growing up online, creating communities and identities in virtual spaces, where the rules still remain unclear. When does what we say or do online cross legal boundaries? Or moral boundaries? Do we have the right to stay anonymous in cyberspace?" Whether Sarahn_12 answers those questions remains to be seen, but I'm sure Sasie would appreciate your vote. The contest ends 5 July 2009.