harvey @ deneroff.com

CNET blogger Harrison Hoffman reported yesterday that,

YouTube has just announced the launch of the rumored YouTube Screening Room. The news broke yesterday that YouTube was going to be delving into professional films, with the possibility breaking out of their 10 minute mold and into longer form. YouTube is actively pursuing filmmakers to try and get high quality content for the site. The YouTube Screening Room has debuted with four short films, including one Academy Award winner and one nominee.

Animation Magazine adds,

The site will feature four new short films every two weeks, as well as feature-length films on a case-by-case basis. Initial animated offerings include Torill Kove’s Oscar-winning short The Danish Poet, as well as Fredrik Emilson’s Award-winning Love and War and Josh Raskin’s Academy Award-nominated I Met The Walrus.

Canada’s Mediacaster also notes that the National Film Board of Canada will have seven of its animated films, including Chris Landreth’s Ryan (pictured above) as well as The Danish Poet, shown.

The judge by a viewing of Love and War, an operatic romantic drama in the manner of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, the picture and sound quality is much better than the normal YouTube offering; however, there does not seem an easy way to download the film from the site, though one is directed to an official download site. Anyway, check it out.