Mercedes-Benz #CLAstory: Supporting New Filmmakers

Mercedes-Benz is set to help the best and brightest creative minds thrive as it launches #CLAstory – a programme aimed at supporting fledgling filmmakers and will lead to the commissioning of an online film starring James Corden. The initiative is a vital first step for budding talent and forms part of an exciting new social media campaign launching on the microsite, CLA Story UK

At the heart of the project is the Mercedes-Benz CLA – a four-door coupé, a twist on the conventional cars and the direct result of the nurturing of creativity and imagination within Mercedes-Benz that’s reflected in the #CLAstory programme.

Three high-profile Instagrammers - Jiri Siftar, Alan Brutenic and Allan Edward Hinton - have each collaborated with Mercedes-Benz to create a trio of short films featuring actor, comedy writer, producer and presenter, James Corden. Their instavids provide a basic framework for the story - forming the beginning, middle and end of a storyboard – six vital scenes from which are missing. Budding film directors will be invited to complete the scenes and the film in the #CLAstory by uploading their videos onto the Mercedes-Benz UK Instagram channel, mercedesbenzUK.

The winning entry in each of the six scenes will be put to the public vote to decide an overall winner. The creator of the winning film will then get the chance to direct their #CLAstory starring James Corden and the Mercedes-Benz CLA AMG Sport. The winner of each of the six scenes will receive a Go Pro camera as a prize.

Rob Halloway, Communications and Events Director Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “#CLAstory is an initiative which gives others the chance to tell their story and present the Mercedes-Benz brand in a way that is credible, relevant and appealing to them. It means we can pair an as yet unknown-but-talented director with one of the country’s most well-known actors - and one of our coolest cars.”

#CLAstory is aimed at the Mercedes-Benz online community, creative influencers, film enthusiasts and film students. Anyone with the creative spark and ingenuity to create something special – a short film that engages, that excites and inspires others to give it a go. It will run across a dedicated microsite, CLA Story UK, and social media channels including the recently-launched Mercedes-Benz UK Instagram channel, mercedesbenzUK.