Whittled down from hundreds of entries, the 13 short films will now come under final scrutiny from the judging panal, headed by British actress Julie Walters. Fellow judges include filmmaker and director Phyllida Lloyd; previous Virgin Media Shorts-winning filmmaker Luke Snellin (Mixtape); Ashes director Mat Whitecross; Sam Branson of Sundog Pictures; critic and broadcaster James King; Ben Roberts, Director of the BFI Film Fund and Cindy Rose, Executive Director of Digital Entertainment at Virgin Media.

It’s the first time that 13 short films have been shortlisted; this year, a 13th spot was opened up for the entry that was shared the most by online viewers via Facebook and Twitter. All 13 shorts will be shown in cinemas nationwide for a year, screening before the main feature, while the first prizewinner will walk away with £30,000 to make their next film in association with the BFI. Additionally, the winner of the People’s Choice Award, which is voted for by the public, will win £5,000 and BFI mentoring.

Introduced last year, the TiVO Award will also give a prize to the film voted the best by Virgin Media customers through their TiVo boxes.

You can watch all 13 of the shortlisted films, and cast your own vote in the People’s Choice awards, by visiting  www.virginmediashorts.co.uk