*UPDATED FOR 2012!*

We’re big fans of social media here at Shorts HQ and swear by the power of Twitter for film makers – whether you want to let the world know about your short or need to rally the troops for your next project, it’s a goldmine of potential contacts. So last week, we asked you to tell us what Twitter users you follow for tips, advice and inspiration. We took some of the best ones, along with a own own favourites, and compiled a list of  must-follow Twitter feeds for movie makers. Most of these users are based in the UK, but there are a few international feeds that we thought offered really useful advice too, and shoudn't be missed out just because they're on the other side of the pond. This is just a handful of what's out there - we couldn't possibly mention everybody - so be sure you have a look around and see who else you can spot. Anyone you think we should've included? Tell us!

And for a handy way to follow all of the below users with the click of a button, just follow our Twitter list. We'll be adding more to the list as we come across them, so keep an eye out for new additions.

DIRECTORS AND WRITERS (the big guns)

@RealRonHoward
'Ron Howard '
'Filmmaker and storyteller'

@David_Lynch
'David Lynch'
'Filmmaker. Born Missoula, MT. Eagle Scout.'

@edgarwright
'Edgar Wright'
'Writer / Director of Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, Don't, Hot Fuzz, Shaun Of The Dead. Director of Spaced. Exec Producer of Attack The Block. (1974-2074)'

@EliRoth
'Eli Roth'
'The mundane musings of an obsessive-compulsive horror nerd.'

@MorganSpurlock
'Morgan Spurlock'
'I like fancy book learnin''

@ManMadeMoon
'Duncan Jones'
'Director of Moon & Source Code'

@ThatKevinSmith
'Kevin Smith'
'It begins with me covered in sperm, trapped in my old man's balls. Then, suddenly... ESCAPE!'

@NoelClarke
Noel Clarke
'Actor, director and past Shorts judge'

@diablocody
'Diablo Cody'
Writer of Juno, Jennifer's Body 

@leeunkrich
'Lee Unkrich'
'Director of Toy Story 3. Pixar Handyman. Curator of Cabinets of Curiosities. Longtime caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. Tiki God.'

GOOD FOR ANIMATORS:

@AnimPodcast
'Clay Kaytis'
'Disney animator and creator of The Animation Podcast. Animation supervisor on Tangled. Working on secret stuff.'

@DAVID_FIRTH
'David Firth'
'Fat-Pie animator: Salad Fingers, Burnt Face Man, Jerry Jackson etc. Currently making a film called THE MEADOW MAN.'

@skwigly
'Skiwgly Magazine'
'Our aim is to bring you the latest up-to-date news (soon) and views on all aspects of animation, as diverse as TV commercials, film releases, video games, etc.'

@animationforum
'Dave Allen'
The West Midlands' Independent Animation Community

@DWAnimation
'DreamWorks Animatio'
The Official Twitter Page for DreamWorks Animation.

@CartoonBrew
Cartoon Brew
'Eat, sleep, breathe animation. Your source for comprehensive and insightful animation commentary. '

FOR THE TECH LOVERS:

@MillChannel
'The Mill'
'Award winning visual effects studio creating moving image, design and digital projects for the advertising, film, TV, games and music industries.'

@TomAntos
'Tom Antos'
'Award Winning Film and Music Video Director - YouTuber - Producer at www.tlapro.com'

@vincentlaforet
'Vincent Laforet'
'Filmmaker - DGA Director & DP, Photographer, Producer (specializing in herding cats!), blogger (blog.vincentlaforet.com) über tech geek - Los Angeles'

@tinch
'Roger Erik Tinch'
'Tech-centric cinephile. Consultant for @sundancefest and @drafthouse. On the @badassdigest team and curator of @reelizer. Add me on Google+: gplus.to/tinch.'

GET NETWORKING (good for finding jobs, crew members etc)

@FilmmakerIQ
'FilmmakerIQ.com'
'A place for filmmakers to network and learn'

@TriggerStLabs
'Trigger Street Labs'
'Website Founded by @KevinSpacey and Producer @DanaBrunetti to provide a platform for aspiring Writers & Filmmakers for feedback and exposure.'

@Directors_UK
'Directors UK'
'The single voice for film and television directors in the UK.'

@COWPodcasts
'CreativeCOW Podcasts'
'CreativeCOW.net is the peer-to-peer support resource for professionals in film, broadcast and related fields. Download regularly updated podcast tutorials.'

@Step2CollaboTV
'Step2CollaboTV '
'A Free social network for filmmakers and talent where you can showcase your work, talent and creativity. You can blog, post events & get instant film feedback' 

@ShootingPeople
'Shooting People'
'The international networking organization for the independent film industry.'

@CenSta 
Central Station
'A creative social network for people interested in art, film and design.'

FOR HELP WITH SCRIPT WRITING:

@AdviceToWriters
'Jon Winokur'
'Writerly wisdom of the ages collected by the author of Advice To Writers, The Big Book of Irony, and The Big Curmudgeon.'

@TheScriptLab
'The Script Lab'
'Comprehensive screenwriting resource. Helping writers of all levels on the path to their next screenplay. Inspiring anyone with a dream to #WriteNow!'

@TheWriteScript
'The Write Script'
'INT. OFFICE DAY Our HERO sits at the computer and writes a script.'

FILM FESTIVALS:

@LSFF
'London Short Film Festival'
'6th - 15th Jan 2012 - The London Short Film Festival, the city’s most expansive and radically explosive film festival returns to the city. Keep your eyes open..'

@sundancefest
'Sundance Film Festival '
'We find, love and share the best independent films in the world. We are presented by the non-profit Sundance Institute.'

'@SohoShorts '
'Soho Shorts'
'The UK film festival in association with Rushes celebrating short films in all varieties. The festival runs from the 20th of July. www.sohoshorts.com'

@EastEndFilmFest
'East End Film Festival'
'London's coolest festival showcases the best new independent films from around the globe. 27 April - 2 May 2011. Tag your related tweets with #eeff. '

@edfilmfest
'Edinburgh Film Fest'
'Born alongside Edinburgh's International Festival in 1947, #edfilmfest was one of the world's first international film festivals. 15 - 26 June 2011.'

@filmandfestmag
'Film and Festivals Mag'
Film & Festivals is an independent, digital & print-on-demand magazine that brings you news & features from the world of film festivals & independent cinema

@Portofilmfest2011
Portobell Film Festival'
All Screenings Free! The Film Festival was created in 1996 to provide a forum for new film-makers and give exposure to movies on different formats.

@Raindance
'Raindance Film Festival'
'Independent film festival since 1993, cutting edge film training and founder of the British Independent Film Awards'

CLEVER PEOPLE AND GREAT RESOURCES FOR FILM MAKERS

@FilmSlateMag
'Film Slate Magazine'
'Film Slate Magazine is your source for current movie reviews, filmmaking articles, movie news and film festival coverage.'

@movieScope
'movieScope Magazine'
'Tweets by the publisher of movieScope Mag. From Pre-Production to Distribution and Exhibition, we cover the process and business of international movie making.'

@MovieMakerMag'
'MovieMaker Magazine'
'The Twitter account of MovieMaker Magazine and MovieMaker.com, the world's best-selling independent movie magazine'

@thereeltweets
'The Reel
' 'The Reel is a constantly updated online and DVD library of the greatest in TV, cinema and viral advertising, alongside the snazziest shorts and prettiest promos

@FilmmakerMag
'Scott Macaulay'
'Editor, Filmmaker Magazine'

@DocumentaryBlog
'The Documentary Blog'
'A blog for documentary film fans'

@rejectnation
'Film School Rejects'
'Now with half the calories of other leading film sites.'

@brendonconnelly
'Brendon Connelly'
'Film teacher, film blogger, director of music vids, shorts and TV.'

@TribecaFilm
'Tribeca Film'

'Bringing you the best of independent film, all year long!'

PREVIOUS WINNERS OF VIRGIN MEDIA SHORTS:

@LukeSnellin
Luke Snellin (who won Virgin Media Shorts in 2009 with Mixtape)

@JmgMedia
'Jason Wingard (who made Bus Baby, winner of last year's People's Choice Award)

@MrOscarSharp
'Oscar Sharp (who won last year's Grand Prize with Sign Language)
 

For a constant influx of inspiration and movie industry insight, follow our Twitter list for film makers, which we'll be adding to all the time. Please let us know if you think we've missed out someone important! And of course, make sure you're following Virgin Media Shorts too.