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Films by Ten Finalists Posted for Online Voting in 'Halloween Horror Nights-Rob Zombie Film Competition' as Universal Studios Hollywood Searches for Best New 'Short Scare'

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten films, selected by industry judges from nearly two hundred eligible entries, have been posted for online public voting in the "Halloween Horror Nights-Rob Zombie Film Competition,"

Voting is open to the public at http://www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/vote from September 3 - 17, 2010. Only one vote per person may be cast.

The film competition offered filmmakers an opportunity to have their scariest short film judged by a panel led by the multi-media horror auteur. The winning filmmaker will be rewarded with a premiere showing on Chiller, a posting on Syfy.com, a $1,000 cash prize and a trip for two to the opening night of Halloween Horror Nights® at Universal Studios Hollywood(SM)

Along with Rob Zombie, the judging panel included Marc Graser, Senior Writer, Variety; Matt Cowan, Entertainment Assignment Editor, Getty Images and former short film juror for the Sundance Film Festival and AFI Film Festival; and John Murdy, Creative Director, Universal Studios Hollywood and "Halloween Horror Nights." Prospective filmmakers were invited to submit short films of 90 seconds to three minutes in length. Judging criteria included storytelling skill, originality and the degree of a "good scare."

The winning film will be announced on September 17. In addition to the prize and the broadcast of the film, the winning filmmaker will be honored in front of celebrities, studio executives and media at the Eyegore Awards ceremony, which will kick off the 2010 Halloween Horror Nights event at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Halloween Horror Nights will begin on September 24 and continue on consecutive weekends and selected weekday nights through Sunday, October 31. Event dates are: September 24, 25 and October 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16,17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31. The event will begin nightly at 7 p.m.; closing hours vary by night throughout the event. Tickets are now on sale at www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/hollywood including a new "Killer Deal Nights" option, providing discounts of up to $25 for selected dates.

Halloween Horror Nights mazes will include the all-new "A Nightmare On Elm Street(TM): Never Sleep Again," "Friday the 13th(TM): Kill, Jason, Kill!," "Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses in 3D Zombievison," "Vampyre: Castle of the Undead" plus "Saw: Game On." Among the six "Scare Zones" is a new "La Llorona" experience, based upon the timeless Mexican legend. "Chucky's Revenge" - an all-new "Terror Tram" experience -- plus an express visit to the new blockbuster attraction, "King Kong 360 3D" Created by Peter Jackson and an all-new "Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure" show will also be featured within the event.

Universal Studios Hollywood's favorite thrill-ride attractions will also remain open for "Halloween Horror Nights" nocturnal affair, many with menacing twists. Favorites include "The Simpsons Ride(TM)," "Revenge of the Mummy(SM) - The Ride" and "Jurassic Park® In the Dark."

Updates on "Halloween Horror Nights" will be available at HalloweenHorrorNights.com and also on Twitter and Facebook, as Creative Director John Murdy reveals a running chronicle of exclusive information. Fans are invited to follow John Murdy on Twitter at: Twitter.com/HorrorNights or via Facebook at: "Halloween Horror Nights - Hollywood (Official)."

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A.(SM), is a unit of Universal Parks & Resorts, a division of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May of 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric (NYSE: GE), with 20% controlled by Vivendi.

SOURCE Universal Studios Hollywood