Hat Trick Productions launches comedy video prize

Hat Trick Productions, the production company behind hit shows including Have I Got News For You, Outnumbered, Room 101 and Spy, has launched a new comedy video competition.

Titled The Short And Funnies, the contest aims to uncover new talent for a YouTube channel the company is launching in January.

Hat Trick has received funding from YouTube to create Bad Teeth, which is described as "mischievous, reactive and in need of a good dentist". The channel also promises to deliver: "sketches, animations and pranks curated by celebrity guests, and the best that YouTube has to offer. Bad Teeth is the ultimate web and TV comedy smash up."

Hat Trick are looking for a short film or video clip (between 2 and 5 minutes long) that will "quite simply, make them laugh". Entries can be a sketch, a prank, a character piece to camera or even a proper narrative story. There is a twist though - the video must draw inspiration from the Hat Trick logo by featuring a rabbit.

The company explains videos must "contain a rabbit either visible or referred to in dialogue." They also stress though: "Please do not use an actual live bunny!"

Jimmy Mulville, the managing director of Hat Trick, comments: "Hat Trick are always on a mission to find the comedy talent of the future. We're excited to offer this opportunity to comedy filmmakers to have their work showcased by Bad Teeth and we really look forward to working alongside the winners to develop further ideas."

The winner of the competition will receive £3,000 in cash, and be granted a pitching session with the Hat Trick production team. All the finalists will also be shown on Bad Teeth.

To enter, you should download the entry form and send it with your film (on a DVD or USB stick, clearly labelled with your name and contact details) to:

The Short And Funnies
Hat Trick Productions
33 Oval Road
London
NW1 7EA

The deadline is midnight on 14th February 2013. Hat Trick will select the finalists by mid-March and announce the winner by the end of March 2013.

Applicants should be aware that the video you are submitting must be made exclusively for this competition, and cannot be shown anywhere else during the competition, and for a period afterwards. The small print at the bottom of the entry form features various clauses, including: "Entrants agree not to exploit, exhibit, publish or distribute the Film or authorise any third party to do the same in any media whatsoever until after 30th August 2013, whether the Film is selected for the Shortlist or not."

If you have any questions you should contact shortandfunnies@hattrick.com

Here is a video introducing the competition:

Bad Teeth officially launches in January, but a couple of sketches have already been posted including, most recently, this one featuring Homeland star Damian Lewis: