Director Spike Lee, with Nokia, to create cellular phone film from user submissions

The famous movie director Spike Lee will create a short film based on camera phone videos submitted by users, according to an article in The New York Times. The effort is sponsored by Nokia.

Anyone can submit a video -- to www.nokiaproductions.com -- and Lee, in conjunction with assistant directors, will review the submissions. Visitors to the Web site will be able to vote on the best videos.

Visitors also will be able to use the submitted videos to create their own mashups.

After the votes are in, Lee and his assistants will select videos to combine into a three-act film. Each act will run three to five minutes.

Lee's blog

The article notes the film's theme will be "loosely based on the concept of humanity." As part of the project, Lee will write a weblog that provides tips for filmmakers.

Nokia says the project isn't a "marketing gimmick" but, rather, highlights to concepts of social networking and entertainment. Well, of course it's a gimmick or, to be kinder, a marketing "strategy." But, to be fair, it also will illustrate social networking concepts.

The film will premiere in Los Angeles next fall. Nokia hopes to convince a cellular operator to distribute it, but so far no one has agreed, the article says.

[Sent to TypePad via wireless e-mail with RIM BlackBerry Curve 8320.]