YouTube and Emirates your film festival competition in full swing

Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing airlines, and YouTube, partners on Your Film Festival, reported today the addition of acclaimed actor Michael Fassbender to the project. Fassbender will serve as a competition film juror in Venice and co-executive producer of the winner's next film along with renowned director Ridley Scott.

Your Film Festival, a global competition to discover the world's best storytellers invites directors, producers and writers from around the world to submit a 15-minute, story-driven video of any format, style and genre, to youtube.com/yourfilmfestival, between 2 February-31 March 2012. Scott Free (the production company of famed director Ridley Scott) will narrow down the submissions to 50 semi-finalists in the summer of 2012. The 50 videos will then be available to the global YouTube community who will be able to cast their votes, choosing 10 finalists. These 10 finalists will travel to Italy on Emirates via Dubai, where their work will screen at the 69th Venice International Film Festival in September 2012. A grand prize winner will selected by a special jury which includes Ridley Scott and Michael Fassbender and awarded a $500,000 YouTube original production grant to work with Scott Free, to create a brand new work.

"I was delighted to join this partnership alongside Ridley, YouTube, Venice, and Emirates," said Fassbender. "I've worked with incredible storytellers before and am excited to help find the next great one through Your Film Festival." Watch his invitation to the YouTube community here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c19FahitJjs.

Fassbender's involvement will mark a reunion of sorts, as his next film will be Ridley Scott's return to the director's chair, the highly anticipated PROMETHEUS. Fassbender will also mark his return to Venice Film Festival since winning Best Actor for his performance in SHAME which also garnered him a Golden-Globe nomination.

Emirates, who is defining the future of air travel with innovative products like its A380 On Board Lounges and On Board Shower Spas and its award winning in-flight entertainment system ice, is a proud partner with YouTube's Your Film Festival. A renowned sponsor of sports activities around the globe, Emirates has broadened its scope to include the cultural connecting medium of film.

"Through our sponsorship of Your Film Festival we are supporting the journey of emerging filmmakers through YouTube's innovative entertainment platform," said Sir Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates airline and Group. "The foundation of the Emirates brand is connecting people. Teaming up with YouTube and acting as a cultural bridge connecting thoughts, ideas and dreams through Your Film Festival, is a natural extension of our brand."