Short Film News (SFN) - Babelgum, the free independent web TV platform announces the launch of the second edition of its Babelgum Online Film Festival.

The announcement made by American helmer Spike Lee during a press conference at the Toronto International Film Festival, while Lee has returned for the second year as the Honorary Judge of the festival jury.

Other jurors include Joe Bateman, director of the Rushes Soho Shorts Festival, Tiziana Loschi, managing director of the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, and Carl Spence, artistic director of the Seattle International Film Festival.

The 2nd Edition of the festival will be open to all short and medium-lenghth content produced professionally or by enrolled film school students.

Babelgum has decided to narrow the number of categories down from seven to four including Short Film Award, Animation Award, Mini Masterpiece Award, and Documentary Award.

The winners of the online film festival will be announced in early 2009. Details about the award ceremony will be announced in due course.

Submissions of films will be accepted from September 6 to December 31, and the audience will be allowed to start voting in January 2009.

Further information about the submission specifications and regulations are available on the festival website: www.babelgum.com/online-film-festival.