Optus One80 Project finalists announced

Optus and MTV Networks Australia have selected the Top 10 entries for this year’s OPTUS ONE80PROJECT, now in its sixth year.

The winning filmmaker will win a $180,000 production budget to turn their ideas into a one hour drama broadcast on MTV.

Previous winner Director Maia Horniak joins Lincoln Lewis and David Wenham on the judging panel.

Horniak said, “After having been through the process myself, I am delighted to be returning as a judge for this year’s OPTUS ONE80PROJECT. The opportunity was invaluable to my career and it is so great to see past winners making serious headway in the industry; it’s an excellent break for television and film content makers.”

Horniak directed the 2010 winning one hour TV-drama, The Sellers, and will be directing her debut feature film MixTape with Goalpost Pictures Australia. She has also joined production company, Otto Empire, as Sydney director.

From the Top 10, the judges will pick a Judges’ Choice winning entry.

A second winner, the Public Vote Award, will be selected by the public who can view the top 10 entries online and on their mobile by visiting www.one80project.com.au until Sunday, March 4, 2012. This year’s competition is also offering a $5000 cash prize for the best pilot filmed on a mobile phone.

The winner will be announced at a live festival event in Sydney at Centennial Park’s Moonlight Cinema on March 18th.