To mark the release of the new live-action film based on the classic fairytale, Cinderella, Disney is extending a truly ‘once in a lifetime’ invitation to one lucky person. By submitting a creative design for their ultimate Cinderella dress, fans will have the opportunity to experience the fairy-godmother treatment and have their drawings and dreams brought to life when their dress is made to wear and keep forever.
The competition is live now at www.disneycinderella.co.uk where fans will dream up, sketch and upload their dress, be it a drawing or computer rendering. Fans can also vote for their favourite dresses, with the top ten to be judged by a panel who will choose the dress they feel should be brought to life. The winner will have their dress presented to them at an enchanting afternoon tea at London’s beautiful Langham Hotel. Cinderella is a visually-dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation, and Disney intends to make sure that fans of the Cinderella story are included in the magic.
The film follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honour her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit (Richard Madden). Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and – armed with a pumpkin and a few mice – changes Cinderella’s life forever.
The site will be taking submissions from Thursday 5th March until Sunday 29th March. The film, directed by BAFTA winning and Academy Award® nominee Sir Kenneth Branagh, and starring Lily James as the eponymous Cinderella, will be released in Irish cinemas on March 27th, after playing the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival on Saturday March 21st.
All entrants must be over 16 years of age and residents of Ireland or the UK. Submissions must be your own original design. Please be aware all submissions will be moderated and there will be a delay between submission and your dress appearing on the site of up to 48 hours. Full competition rules can be found under ‘Rules’ at www.disneycinderella.co.uk