YouTube Project: Direct 2009 is a short film competition in conjunction with the Sundance Film Festival. This year, two Toronto filmmakers - myself (Jake Kovnat) and Ben Goldenberg - have made it to the top 10. The winner gets sent to Sundance 2009 to screen their film and meet with industry executives and the two runners up get their film distributed on DVDs throughout the festival. Along with this, 1st and 2nd place receive $2500 and 3rd receives $1000. So how are the winners chosen?

YOU. It's now up to YouTube viewers to get online and vote (thumbs up or thumbs down) for their favourite films. Here's a link to the competition website where you can watch my film, "Monday Morning," and Ben's, "White Collar Criminals." The voting lasts for one week (Dec. 27th to Jan. 3rd) and each user can vote once per day. Toronto now has a 1 in 5 chance of winning this competition and sending one of its own to the prestigious festival. Wish us luck!

My film
Ben's film