The New York Minute Film Festival (http://www.nymff.com) is the first major online film competition that showcases the works of novice and expert filmmakers alike in the 60-second format. Founding sponsor and award-winning visual media company, Convergence (www.convergenceny.com), announced today the addition of famed actress, Rosario Dawson (Sin City), to the festival’s panel of judges. Born and raised in the Big Apple, Dawson has starred in several New York based films that include Spike Lee’s He Got Game and 25th Hour, Side Streets directed by Tony Gerber, Light it Up directed by Craig Bolotin, Down on You directed by Kris Isacsson and Trigger Happy directed by Julian West. Her Hollywood career features her in such blockbusters as Alexander with Colin Farrell, Men in Black II with Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller’s Sin City.

The film festival also announced new dates. The new submission deadline is December 2, 2005, which accommodates film students returning to class this fall. Voting will be taking place through December 19, 2005. The screening of festival winners and the announcement of prizes will take place at a gala celebration on February 2, 2006.

Dawson joins a panel of celebrity judges that includes famed writer/director Joel Schumacher (Batman Forever and Veronica Guerin), producer Eric Watson (Pi and Requiem for a Dream), documentary director/producer Leon Gast (When We Were Kings and The Dead), writer/director Julian West (Trigger Happy), Stash DVD Magazine editor Stephen Price and Kelley Devine, who works in Film Acquisitions at the Independent Film Channel (IFC).

The panel was made possible as a result of strong entertainment industry ties on the part of Convergence. Managing/ Editor Partner, Chip Smith recently completed commercial work with director Joel Schumacher and is slated to work on a feature film with director Julian West and actress Rosario Dawson in the coming year. Managing Partner/Editor Jeff Cahn’s long-standing relationship with Academy Award winning documentary director, Leon Gast, resulted in his participation, while Managing Partner/Editor Oren Sarch, who cut indie cult hit, Pi, was able to secure producer, Eric Watson.

In addition to having their movies viewed by a star-studded judging panel, entrants of the New York Minute Film Festival also enjoy the use of professionally scored music courtesy of Pink Noise. The New York-based music and sound design company generously donated their music library free of charge solely for festival use.

Currently accepting submissions in the five categories drama, comedy, experimental, animation and music video, NYMFF entrants not only are provided with an outlet to showcase their stories and talents, but compete for cool gear and prizes from festival sponsors and a chance

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