The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is pleased to announce the launching of the 2nd worldwide edition of The Democracy Video Challenge. The Democracy Video Challenge is a global call to action celebrating democracy that was initiated by Secretary of State Clinton at the United Nations on International Democracy Day, September 15, 2009. The U.S. Embassy invites Haitian citizens to participate by creating a short video (3 minutes or less) that completes the phrase: “Democracy is…” in an effort to enhance the global dialogue on and to share their views on democracy.
If you are interested in participating, below you will find the guideline and official rules:
THE DETAILS
- You must be 18 or older to enter
- Videos can be any style: fiction or documentary, animated or live action.
- Videos must be no longer than three minutes.
- Videos must be in English or have English subtitles.
- Contestants may enter anonymously, but anonymous winners cannot collect the grand prize.
- The video platform is provided by YouTube (www.youtube.com/democracychallenge).
THE PRIZE
- An all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., New York and Hollywood.
- Gala screenings of the winning videos in Hollywood, New York and Washington.
- Exposure to filmmakers and the U.S. film and television industry.
- Meetings with democracy advocates from government, media and civil society.
THE TIMELINE
- SUBMISSION DEADLINE — MIDNIGHT GMT JANUARY 31, 2010.
- Challenge semifinalists will be selected on or about March 31, 2010.
- An independent jury will narrow down the semifinalists to 21 finalists – on or about May 15, 2010.
- The general public will vote online for the winning videos May 15 – June 15, 2010.
- Seven winners will be selected — one each from the Western Hemisphere, Europe, Middle East/North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South & Central Asia, East Asia/Pacific and one anonymous winner — will be announced in mid-June 2010.
- The six publicly identified winners, one from each of the six geographic regions, will travel to the United States to claim their prize in the fall of 2010.
Information regarding the contest is available on the following website: www.videochallenge.america.gov
For further information please contact the Office of Public Diplomacy; phone number 22 29 8712. (End of text)
