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Not long ago, we told you about a neat little contest that Delta Airlines was hosting as part of a collaboration with Gen Art. The concept: Gen Art would invite filmmakers to submit their short films and, along with Delta, the two would choose five finalists -- all of which would be available to watch on select Delta flights, as well as online. Whichever short collects the highest rating (both in the air and on the computer) will receive a sweeet prize package that includes $10,000 in cash, a trip for two to the Sundance Film Festival (where they'll be invited to attend a celebratory party and watch as their short film is screened at said party), a pair of two round-trip international tickets for any Delta flight and a $2500 Gen Art membership. (I'm not sure what in the world you get for $2500 over at Gen Art, but I'd expect a ton of invites to some really cool parties, on top of a slew of free liquor and lots of ass-kissing.)

Personally, I love the idea that short films will have a chance to find a new audience (one that's not so tapped in to the festival scene) at 35,000 feet. Sure, folks who read this site probably watch shorts regularly, but people like my parents (who fly Delta all the time because my sister-in-law is a flight attendant with them) don't go to festivals and they don't do a ton of surfing online, save for the occasional shopping spree and stupid email forwards. (I told you mom, I don't open those stupid things -- they're a waste of my time. Stop sending them to me.) Needless to say, this will be a fabulous way for a filmmaker to get their short film in front of a mass audience, the kind that looks to Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood when trying to decide which movie to watch over the weekend. That's not necessarily a bad thing but ... let's carry on, shall we?

So you've completed that short film, and now you don't know what to do with it. Submit to festivals? Sure, but everyone does that. Now Delta Airlines is partnering with Gen Art to give you a chance to have your film seen by thousands of captive audience members strapped into their seats at 25,000 feet. Plus you can win cash (and what filmmaker can't use some of that to pay off those credit cards maxed out in completing that film?), travel, and a trip to Sundance 2007!

If you want to enter, you have until October 31, 2006. Five finalists will be chosen by "industry professionals" ( I assume by industry they mean the film industry) to have their short shown both online and on Delta's domestic transcontinental flights. All finalists will receive a pair of round-trip tickets good for any domestic Delta flight. The five finalists will be voted on through audience balloting (both online and on Delta flights) and the winner will receive (drum roll please) $10,000 cash (!), a pair of round-trip tickets valid for international travel on Delta, AND a trip to Sundance with a guest, where he or she will be feted at a celebratory party, where the winning film will be shown.

Geez, what are you waiting for? Official rules and entry form can be found right here. So dust that short off and get it in already. And if a Cinematical reader happens to have their film chosen as a finalist, let us know!