MUMBAI: US kids? broadcaster Nickelodeon has announced the first-ever global SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired short film competition, SpongeBob SquareShorts: Original Fan Tributes.

SpongeBob fans and filmmakers of all ages from around the world are invited to create SpongeBob-inspired short films for a chance to win a cash prize and trip for four people to a screening event in Hollywood, California.

The call for entries has opened and will run through 28 June. Entries can be submitted in two categories (under 18 years of age, and 18 and over) to www.SpongeBobSquareShorts.com.

Nickelodeon Group CMO Pam Kaufman said, "SpongeBob is a global icon and beloved by people of all ages. We?re excited to launch a competition that lets fans around the world create compelling short films that showcase the positivity and optimism that SpongeBob brings to audiences everywhere."

Films submitted to the SpongeBob SquareShorts: Original Fan Tributes competition should be themed around SpongeBob, his world and/or his friends, while celebrating his endearing attributes: humor, overflowing happiness and persistent positivity. The short films can be live-action, animation, stop-motion, etc. and should run no longer than three (3) minutes. Videos will be judged on originality & creativity, incorporation of SpongeBob?s attributes, and overall appeal.

Following the entry period, finalists will be selected by judges, and the top 10 in each of the two categories will be announced on 18 July as finalists. Till 2 August, fans will have the chance to vote for their favorite of the finalists. The winner from each category will be announced in August.

MUMBAI: Monica Tata has been appointed managing director of HBO India.

Tata joins the home entertainment network with immediate effect. She will be based in Mumbai and report in to HBO Asia CEO Jonathan Spink.

At HBO India, she will be responsible for introducing and developing various initiatives to enhance the company?s offerings in India and its subcontinent, including providing strategic direction and managing partner relationships.

Spink said, ?We are pleased to have Monica join the HBO Asia family. With Monica?s experience in the industry and her familiarity with our brand and channels, she is the ideal candidate to develop and grow HBO?s brand and market share in South Asia."

Tata said, ?I am excited to join the HBO Asia family as I love the brand and this is an exciting opportunity for me."

There are three 24-hour HBO movie channels available to viewers in India ? HBO, the blockbuster movie channel which was launched in 2000, and two premium advertising free movie channels, HBO Defined and HBO Hits, launched earlier this year that showcase the best of Hollywood and Bollywood content in high-definition and standard-definition.

One of HBO?s aims this year will be to build the distribution of the two premium channels. Tata said that as of now they are on two platforms Dish TV and Airtel. "We are negotiating with the other operators."

Tata adds that Shruti Bajpai who was HBO South Asia country manager has relocated to Dubai. "She continues to oversee marketing activities for HBO."

Tata has over 23 years of media experience and was most recently the General Manager, Entertainment Networks, South Asia for Turner International India where she was responsible for steering and overseeing all network initiatives across Turner?s entertainment brand portfolio in South Asia.

Prior to joining Turner she was the senior vice president -
advertising sales, Star India, where she was responsible for
advertising revenue on Star Movies, Star World, Channel [V], National Geographic Channel and the History Channel.