MUMBAI: Universal Studios Hollywood is challenging filmmakers to compete in a virtual short film competition with $15,000 in prize money timed to coincide with the launch of the theme park’s new attraction, King Kong 360 3-D, the world’s largest, most intense 3-D experience, opening this summer.

Filmmakers are invited to submit one-to-three minute film shorts that support the theme, King Kong’s Path to Universal Studios Hollywood via the creative online social networking site, Zooppa, which is administering the competition on behalf of Universal Studios Hollywood, at www.zooppa.com/contests/king-kong.

The short film competition invites filmmakers to depict the havoc a behemoth Kong might wreak had he stomped though their hometowns as he makes his way back to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Filmmakers are presented with the creative challenge to establish the suspenseful return of King Kong without revealing the iconic figure’s whole face or whole body in any of the scenes. To view one approach to this issue, filmmakers are directed to Universal Studios Hollywood’s King Kong 360 3-D campaign ad at King Kong 360 3-D, which depicts the aftermath of Kong’s destruction as he enters Universal Studios Hollywood.

Entries can be submitted through 7 June, 2010. Eleven winning shorts will be announced on 14 June, 2010. The winning film short will be selected by Universal Studios Hollywood’s creative community and awarded a grand prize of $8,000, with second and third place winning $3,000 and $1000, respectively. An additional $3,000 will be divided up among ten finalists voted by registered Zooppa users and Zooppa’s creative staff.

King Kong 360 3-D will open as a signature attraction on the world famous, behind-the-scenes Studio Tour.