The nationwide search for digital video talent has reached an exciting phase...it is time to select the best! And to do the honours Campus18 has invited VJ Nikhil Chinappa and actor, director Makrand Deshpande to don the judges’ hat. Campus 18 Digistars has got an overwhelming response with more than 500 video entries and over 50,000 visitors. Out of these 24 participants have been short listed in 8 categories. The winners will be declared on 28th March at an award ceremony in Mumbai. The user voting phase starts from March 1st and will close on 25 th March.

Campus18 has pioneered the talent hunt in the online medium with Campus18 Digistars. The winners of this video talent contest get to be a part of India’s first ever online serial. Targeted at the young group (16–24yrs), the popularity of Digistars can be well judged by the fact that more than ‘500 competitive entries’ of different genres and over 50,000 visitors from all across the country have been rushed in for the contest before closing on February 25, 2008.

Elated at the response to their initiative, Puneet Johar MD & Founder of Tangerine Digital Entertainment said,” The response to Campus18 Digistars has been overwhelming. The exciting user voting phase along with the judges’ voting will determine the winners. We are quite excited about new talent working with us to create India’s first internet serial." Adding to the popularity of the contest, established names like Nikhil Chinappa and Makrand Deshpande have been finalized as the judges for the contest.

On his reason for coming on board as a judge, for Digistars, the famous MTV VJ Nikhil Chinappa said, “It is the best platform for any aspiring filmmaker to showcase his skills and creativity. Since young people are very comfortable with the internet as medium, I’m glad Campus18 has taken this initiative to bring forth the talent of the young.”

On his association with the contest theatre personality Makrand Deshpande shares “things can’t get easier than this and the response received is exhilarating. It gives me great pleasure to be associated with the contest. Students must avail such opportunities as it can be a stepping stone to great careers. I wish good luck to all those who have participated and hope Campus18 will continue such talent hunts where people can showcase their potential in filmmaking and other such creative fields.”

The nationwide hunt for the India’s ‘Best Video Talent’ for film making, acting, editing and story writing has started. Users have to log on to campus18.com to vote and ensure that their favorite videos win.

Voting begins March 1st 2008 onwards so users have to log on to www.campus18.com and keep voting… Y

ou can also catch the best videos with Nikhil Chinappa on “MTV Select” from March 7th, 08

About the contest- “Digistars”:

Award Categories

Best Video: Best overall video in the competition.

Best Performance: Most versatile performer in the competition.

Best Standup Act: Funniest one-take stand-up comedy or mimicry performance (based on original or copied material) by an individual performer.

Best Funniest Video: Funniest film, video or spoof in competition.

Best Mash up Video: Most original video created by mixing footage from two or more different visual and/or audio sources.

Best Social Message Video : Video that most effectively communicates or creates awareness about an issue of social importance.

Best Story; Film which most skillfully executes an original & creative story.

Best Music Video: Video that most skillfully visualizes an original song or previously recorded music.

Break through Concept : Video or film with the most stunning and out-of-the-box creative ideaThe winner for the Best Video will get a contract to make 10 short films on Campus18 and a Cash Prize of Rs. 25,000. While the winner of Best Performance will get a contract to make his/her own stand up show on campus18 & Cash Prize Rs.25000/-. The winners of other categories will get a chance to create India’s first online interactive serial which will be showcased on Campus18 and will be promoted extensively. The winners will be selected by a nationwide poll with a jury vote having equal weightage.

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About Campus 18

Campus18 is a platform for the young and creative! It allows users to express their talent [via uploading content i.e. blogs, pictures, music, videos], network with users of similar talents & interests and, offers recognition and opportunities for the most talented users. Campus18 is one of the brand entities of Tangerine Digital Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and the site aims to showcase and promote the talents of the youth.

About Tangerine Digital Entertainment

Tangerine Digital Entertainment is a pioneering media services company based out of India. It works with many international and Indian clients to enable and create content for digital media. Media process outsourcing services, television and film production. Its client list includes Star, Mobile ESPN, National Geographic Channels International, and Network 18 amongst others. For any further information, log on to: www.tangerinedigital.com

For further information, please contact:
Ridhi Chowfla/ Regal Jayani/Dimple Mehta
Hanmer & PartnersTel: 011- 4652 7700
Mobile: 9871989997/ 9899360433/9871880093