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Palm Canada Launches Mobifest -- Canada's First Mobile Film Festival; Call for Entries at www.mobifest.ca



Awards Event to Showcase Made-for-mobile Films as Directors Vie for Exclusive Movieola — The Short Film Channel and Air Canada In-flight Screenings This Summer

TORONTO, March 1, 2006 -- Palm Canada today announced the launch of Mobifest -- Canada's first mobile film festival, created to recognize excellence and innovation in made-for-mobile films. The international competition is the first film festival of its kind, in that it is exclusively mobile – all film content is shot and created specifically for the "small screen" – either for a mobile phone, smartphone or other handheld device. Online voting will determine the winners in each of three categories from a pool of finalists that have been pre-chosen by a panel of judges.

All finalists will have their movies showcased at the awards event in Toronto on May 17, 2006.

"Canada is a world leader in short-film development, boasting a pool of directorial talent that runs quite deep," said Romen Podzyhun, chairman and chief executive officer of Movieola — The Short Film Channel. "We are now in the midst of a cultural phenomenon, where creative bursts are colliding with everyday technology. It is time to show audiences at an international level, as well as our industry peers, that these opportunities should be embraced and celebrated."

Innovative filmmakers across Canada, such as Toronto's Genie-nominated David Ostry and Mieko Ouchi from Edmonton, have committed to supporting Mobifest with film submissions, yet the call for entries is wide open to all who have something to say in 60 seconds or less. Invitations will be sent to student film programs at the Vancouver Film School, Sheridan College, Seneca College, and elsewhere to encourage widespread participation.

"With today's advanced smartphone and mobile technology, consumers are now getting a taste of innovative entertainment content that was once only available to them at home or in a theatre," says Janice Keay, director of marketing, Palm Canada. "To help take mobile innovation to the next level, Palm saw an opportunity to give independent filmmakers a voice, and we're now on the hunt to identify the first Spielberg of the small screen."

Judged by leading industry experts representing key segments of the Canadian entertainment industry, the awards honor the highest achievements in mobile film production based on mobile aesthetics, audience impact and degree of creativity. Awards for Mobifest 2006 will be given in three categories:
• Best Canadian Mobile Film — Entrants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• Best of Festival – Films will be judged for originality and unique use of the medium.
• Best "Caught on Treo" — This special award recognizes innovation in movies shot and edited exclusively on a Palm® Treo™ smartphone.

Award-winning films will premiere on Movieola — The Short Film Channel and also have a special screening on Air Canada flights throughout the summer of 2006. The Best of Festival winner also will receive a mobile movie production package, valued at $1,500, and be invited to be part of the judging panel for Mobifest 2007.

"Canadians are increasingly demanding greater choice and flexibility in accessing video content," said Mario Mota, a vice president at Decima Research Inc. and communications industry expert. "Mobifest speaks to this growing demand and the trend among entertainment providers to repurpose existing content or develop unique content for multiple platforms, including mobile." Entries will be accepted through April 30, 2006 and must be no longer than one minute in length. There is no fee for entering or for multiple submissions. The competition is open to filmmakers worldwide over the age of 16. Winners will be announced at the Isabel Bader Theatre on May 17, 2006 in Toronto, Canada.

Palm Mobifest is a production of NowNow Corporation. For more information on voting, judging criteria, sponsorship opportunities, rules and regulations, or to enter online, please visit www.mobifest.ca.


About Movieola – The Short Film Channel
Movieola — The Short Film Channel launched in 2001, as the first of six digital services to be offered by Channel Zero Inc. Movieola — The Short Film Channel presents the very best of action, comedy and drama films that can all be enjoyed in under 40 minutes. It's A Feature Film Experience in A Fraction of the Time™.


About NowNow
NowNow Corporation is a producer and distributor of made-for-mobile movies, based in Toronto, Canada.


About Palm, Inc.
Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM), a leader in mobile computing, strives to put the power of computing in people's hands so they can access and share their most important information. The company's products for consumers, mobile professionals and businesses include Palm® handheld computers, Palm Treo™ smartphones, Palm LifeDrive™ mobile managers, as well as software, services and accessories.

Palm products are sold through select Internet, retail, reseller and wireless operator channels throughout the world.

More information about Palm, Inc. is available at http://www.palm.com.


Palm, Treo and LifeDrive are among the trademarks or registered trademarks owned by or licensed to Palm, Inc. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.




Palm, Palm OS, and Treo are among the trademarks or registered trademarks owned or licensed to Palm, Inc. Microsoft and Windows Mobile are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.