NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This February, the Fylmz Festival brings to climax one of the most unique film discovery processes in the world. Since online voting began in September, thousands of Fylmz.com members have viewed and rated short film and feature trailer submissions, helping to determine the grand prize winner of $100,000 and a distribution deal. The winners will be announced at the first annual Fylmz Festival, Feb. 8-10, 2007 in Nashville, TN, where the top entries will be screened.

“We’re encouraging the development of independent filmmakers by giving them what they really want: the financial support to help make another great film,” says Fylmz Founder and Filmmaker A.W. “Tony” Vidmer, whose film High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story was released by New Line Cinema and stars Michael Imperioli of The Sopranos. “The Fylmz Festival finalists are chosen by film fans for film fans. We wanted to create a process that celebrates the ability of independent film to find its audience, and aggressively support that process.”

Online voting ends Dec. 31, whittling down hundreds of submissions to twenty feature film semi-finalists. From there, a select group of active Fylmz.com members representing all demographics will be confidentially named Fylmz Festival judges. Each judge will review one or two of the semi-finalist films and pick the finalists that will compete for the grand prize of $100,000. The prize will be presented live at the Fylmz Festival on Feb. 10 in Nashville, after three days of screenings and the final rounds of audience voting.

In addition, Best Short Film will win $3,500, and individual awards for Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress will also be recognized at the Festival, taking place in Nashville’s historic Hillsboro Village.

The first annual Fylmz Festival is the first in a long line of Fylmz.com competitions that work to encourage new filmmaking talent. In early 2007, Fylmz.com will announce its call for entries for the next festival—The Best Film Never Made Trailer Fest.

To purchase advance tickets for the Fylmz Festival, visit www.Fylmz.com.

About Fylmz

Fylmz.com is an online community, toolbox and resource portal for those passionate about film. The Fylmz.com Festival was created to give independent filmmakers an alternative to the traditional film festival system, and movie fans a place to find fresh new films and talent. The Festival offers a powerful voice to film audiences along with recognition, and the opportunity for actual distribution, to independent filmmakers. Fylmz.com is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For more information, visit www.Fylmz.com.