Nickelodeon Announces Finalists for First-Ever SPONGEBOB Global Short Film Competition

Nickelodeon announced today the top five finalists in two categories (under 18 years of age, and 18 and over) for the first-ever global SpongeBob SquarePants-themed short film competition, SpongeBob SquareShorts: Original Fan Tributes. More than 1,000 SpongeBob-inspired short films-celebrating the positivity and optimism of SpongeBob-were submitted by fans and filmmakers of all ages from all corners of the world during the submission period, which ran from May 6 to June 28.

Entries were received in animation, stop-motion, and live-action, among others. Featuring original storylines, the top five finalist videos in both categories highlight SpongeBob's endearing attributes: humor, overflowing happiness and persistent positivity. Finalists were chosen by a panel of judges comprised of Nickelodeon executives from all corners of the globe. Videos were judged on originality & creativity, incorporation of SpongeBob's attributes, and overall appeal.

Now through Friday, August 2, at 8:00p.m. EDT, fans can visit www.spongebobsquareshorts.com to watch the finalist videos and vote for their favorites in each category via the website and/or via Twitter. To cast a vote via Twitter, tweet the unique hashtag associated with each of the short films. A winner from each category will be announced by August 9th and awarded a $2,500 cash prize and a trip for four people to a screening event at the recently announced SpongeBob Fan Shellabration at Universal Studios in Hollywood, Calif.

The finalists for the inaugural SpongeBob SquareShorts: Original Fan Tributes competition include:

Top Five finalists in the "18 and over" category - Twitter voting hashtag
Diligence by Joshua (United States) - #SquareShortsVOTE1
Finally Home by Nicole (South Africa) - #SquareShortsVOTE2
SpongeBob My Best Friend by Arisdagues (Mexico) - #SquareShortsVOTE3
SpongeBob - Old Krabby Patty (SpongeBob - Alter Krabbenburger) by J?rgen (Germany) - #SquareShortsVOTE4
The Interview by Brett (United States) - #SquareShortsVOTE5

Top Five finalists in the "under 18 years of age" category
The Krabby Patty Formula Music Video by Keith (United States) - #SquareShortsVOTE6
SpongeBob Jellyfish Catcher (SpongeBob Quallenjagd) by Alessio (Switzerland) - #SquareShortsVOTE7
The Silver Screen by Matthew (United Kingdom) - #SquareShortsVOTE8
The Krabby Commercial by David (United States) - #SquareShortsVOTE9
Get Out of Here! By David (United States) - #SquareShortsVOTE10

For additional details on the official rules and voting rules, please visit www.SpongeBobSquareShorts.com.

SpongeBob SquarePants is a world-renowned and beloved character-driven cartoon that chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurably optimistic and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends. The series is seen in more than 170 countries and territories and in more than 35+ languages. The series consistently ranks as the #1 program in its time slot vs. all other kids' channels in Brazil, Canada, Spain, Hungary, Mexico, and the Netherland, and is a top 10 program on Nickelodeon in markets including the UK, Russia, Australia, Germany and Italy. It is the most widely distributed property in Viacom Media Networks history.

SpongeBob SquarePants is executive produced by creator Stephen Hillenburg, who previously worked as a writer, director and creative director on Nickelodeon's animated series Rocko's Modern Life. Paul Tibbitt served as a director and writer on SpongeBob SquarePants for its first three seasons and is currently executive producer. The series is a NickToons Production and is produced at the Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, Calif.

About Nickelodeon

NICKELODEON is one of the most globally recognized and widely distributed multimedia entertainment brands for kids and family. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company's portfolio includes television programming and production around the world, plus special events, consumer products, digital offerings, recreation, books, feature films and pro-social initiatives. Nickelodeon's brands are seen globally in more than 450 million households in over 100 countries and territories via more than 70 locally programmed channels and syndication. Outside of the United States, Nickelodeon is part of Viacom International Media Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.