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Short films in spotlight at London festival

As scene from "Ashes" by director Corinna Faith.

• 'Constant Gardener' kicks off London festival

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LONDON, England (CNN) -- The international film community -- with all its glam and glitter -- will share the spotlight next week with up-and-coming talent at the 49th annual London Film Festival.

The TCM Classic Shorts competition brings together some of the world's best in short film offerings.

A shortlist of six films has been drawn up by a panel of judges, including the biggest names in British film.

Among them are actors Dame Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman and Kate Winslet, as well as director Gurinder Chadha -- best known for film such as "Bhaji on the Beach," "Bend it Like Beckham" and "Bride & Prejudice."

The six film finalists are: "The Clap," directed by Geoff Lindsey; "Ashes," by Corinna Faith; "Jane Lloyd," directed by Happy; "Special People," from Justin Edgar; Andrew Greener's "End Game," and "The Banker," directed by Hattie Dalton.

The top award carries with it a £10,000 (about $17,600) cash prize.

Screenings will take place October 26 at the National Film Theatre during the Short Cuts and Animation portion of the London festival. (Full story) They will also be shown at the TCM Classic Shorts award ceremony November 2.

In addition, the films will air on the TCM (Turner Classic Movies) television channel as part of its Classic Shorts weekend November 5 and 6.

TCM Classic Shorts, which began six years ago, has grown to become one of the most prestigious short film competitions in Europe. Last year's winner, "Nits," was screened as part of the Quinzaine des Realisateurs at the Cannes Film Festival.

Two previous finalists -- "Brown Paper Bag," directed by Michael Baig Clifford, and "About A Girl," directed by Brian Percival -- followed up their TCM Classic Shorts success by winning top short film honors from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

TCM -- launched in Europe in 1999 -- is a division of Time Warner, which is also the parent of CNN.

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