Given the nature of Shyamalan's work and the fact that we've got a pretty pricey, ultra-collectible piece of merchandise as the top prize we're making this one fairly difficult. Break out your writing caps, 'cause I'm looking for ghost stories. Keep them short - as in under five hundred words - 'cause God knows I don't want to read your novel. Once you've got your finest piece of short fiction - or non-fiction, for that matter - all polished up send it to me here. Including "The Village Contest Entry" or some such thing in the subject line would make my life much easier. When all is said and done we'll go through the entries and award the prizes as follows:

First Place: the aforementioned signed and framed still
Second Place: a copy of the soundtrack
Third & Fourth Place: a copy of the theatrical one-sheet
Fifth Place: a pat on the bum (assuming it's in range) and better luck next time.

We will accept entries until midnight, Saturday August 7th, so you've got about a week and a half to get in on this. And, sorry, but this one's open only to residents of the United States. I know, I know, we're not even Americans ourselves, but that's the way it's gotta be.

The film opens in sneak previews Thursday, July 29th and goes into wide release on the thirtieth. In the meantime you can satisfy your Village-y curiosity by visiting either www.rulesofthevillage.com or www.thevillage.movies.com

Now get writing! Go! Now!

*** A late addendum ... feeling intimidated by that 500 word limit? Keep in mind that's a maximum. You don't need to go nearly that long if you don't want to. I've got a thirteen word entry currently waiting to collect a prize. Make me laugh and you've got a fighting chance of winning something ***