SANTA MONICA, CA – Inspired by the long legacy of horror maven George A. Romero, and timed to the 40th anniversary of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, the short films of five budding filmmakers have been bestowed with the director’s own seal of approval. Following a nationwide contest launched earlier this year on MySpace timed to the theatrical release of DIARY OF THE DEAD – the fifth and latest installment to Romero’s highly successful and popular franchise – hundreds of aspiring auteurs submitted their original shorts to be judged by their online peers and ultimately Romero himself.

After MySpace users voted for their top selections, Romero judged the final picks selecting the top five films and awarding the top prize to The Final Day, a pulse-pounding, flesh-eating zombie tale from Paul Del Vecchio (director/producer), David R. Doumeng (writer/producer), and Douglas Frye (producer). The four additional shorts include Deader Living Through Chemistry, Opening Night of the Living Dead, & Teller and Run For Your Life.

All five shorts can now be seen on MySpace, and will also be featured on the May 20 DVD release of DIARY OF THE DEAD. Presented in a first-person style via students’ camcorders, cell phones, security cameras and news footage, DIARY OF THE DEAD follows a group of young film students who run into real-life zombies while shooting their own low-budge horror flick. Bonus features including commentary by Romero and character confessions. DIARY OF THE DEAD DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $24.95. Additionally the anniversary edition of Romero’s seminal and original zombie film, the NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION DVD, crawling with bonus features overseen by the master himself will be priced at $24.95.