Mumbai: Amateur and independent filmmakers, writers, actors, and film buffs from around the nation can develop short films together, thanks to a new interactive online destination. Rootclip, located at http://www.rootclip.com, encourages site visitors to create customized short film storylines.

Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Michael Moore says, "When I first heard the idea of Rootclip I was very impressed. It is the ideal venue for established and up-and-coming filmmakers to interact and express their creative talents on the world stage. We’ve entered a new era of filmmaking and I believe that our next great generation of filmmakers might be inspired by places like Rootclip."

To engage site visitors, Rootclip holds contests for filmmakers. The first Rootclip.com competition, entitled Good Luck, runs from 28 April to 7 July. The winner and a guest will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Traverse City Film Festival in Traverse City, Mich from 1-3 August, where they will meet with Michael Moore and screen the completed short film in front of a live audience.

"Rootclip was conceived as a catalyst to get people thinking about and being creative with short films in such a way that it radiates out to the masses and brings new life to the art form," said Rootclip co-founder Erik Luchauer, about Rootclip’s development into a national destination for independent filmmakers. "Our goal is to create connections between directors, writers, and actors across the country."