White Castle Announces a Short Film Contest Inspired by New Line Cinema's Harold & Kumar Film Franchise

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- White Castle and the New York Film Academy announce the kickoff of a short film contest inspired by New Line Cinema's new film "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas," in theaters November 4. Ten winners will each be awarded a $5,000 scholarship toward tuition for the New York Film Academy's eight-week filmmaking workshop. A panel of judges, including "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas's" Oscar-winning producer Greg Shapiro and director Todd Strauss-Schulson, will evaluate the short films.

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"We are thrilled to be involved in this project," said Jamie Richardson, vice president of corporate relations for White Castle. "The contest is a challenge for filmmakers to distinguish themselves by telling an original story and to connect with the audience in a creative way. We're very excited to watch each film and see how the storyteller incorporates White Castle and the Harold & Kumar theme into their movie."

To enter, filmmakers must create and submit an original short film that follows the contest theme of "Heroic Quest for Holiday Cheer" in the spirit of "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas." The film must be four minutes and 20 seconds in length or shorter. To read the contest rules and regulations, as well as to submit your film, visit www.whitecastle.com/promotions/haroldandkumar or visit White Castle's Facebook page. Be sure to check out the movie trailer at either location.

The panel of judges will grade eligible films based on the following criteria:

• How well the theme of the film reflects a heroic quest in the spirit of the Harold & Kumar film franchise
• How well the film is engaging and memorable
• How well the film illustrates a great American story
• How well the film demonstrates the nourishing goodness of White Castle

All entries must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday, November 17, 2011. Winners will be announced on December 20, 2011.

The White Castle Management Co. and the New York Film Academy are sponsors of this contest.

About A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas

John Cho and Kal Penn reprise their title roles in "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas," which picks up six years after their last adventure. Following years of growing apart, Harold Lee (Cho) and Kumar Patel (Penn) have replaced each other with new friends and are preparing for their respective Yuletide celebrations. But when a mysterious package mistakenly arrives at Kumar's door on Christmas Eve, his attempt to redirect it to Harold's house ends with the "high grade" contents — and Harold's father-in-law's prize Christmas tree — going up in smoke. With his in-laws out of the house for the day, Harold decides to cover his tracks, rather than come clean. Reluctantly embarking on another ill-advised journey with Kumar, through New York City, their search for the perfect replacement tree takes them through party heaven — and almost blows Christmas Eve sky high. The 2004 cult hit "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" launched the franchise, followed by "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay." The third installment is the first to highlight the guys' hilarious mishaps in 3D.

The film stars Cho and Penn, Neil Patrick Harris, Paula Garces, Danneel Harris, Eddie Kaye Thomas, David Krumholtz, Tom Lennon, Amir Blumenfeld, Danny Trejo and Elias Koteas. Todd Strauss-Schulson directed from a screenplay by Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg. Academy Award® winner Greg Shapiro ("The Hurt Locker") produces. New Line Cinema presents, in association with Mandate Pictures, a Kingsgate Films Production, "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas." Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, will distribute the movie. This film has been rated R. www.haroldandkumar.com

About White Castle

White Castle is a family-owned business based in Columbus, Ohio that owns and operates more than 400 White Castle restaurants in 12 states. The company was founded in Wichita, Kansas in 1921 and is America's first fast-food hamburger chain. All White Castle Sliders are made from 100-percent USDA approved beef or 100-percent white meat chicken. This year, the company celebrates its 90th birthday with special events and promotions occurring throughout the year. For more information on White Castle, visit www.whitecastle.com.

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