Democracy Video Challenge partners revealed the eighteen finalists for the global online film competition that asked participants to complete the phrase, “Democracy is…” Now it’s your turn to vote for the winners! Their future is in your hands. From May 15th until midnight EST June 15th, cast your vote for the videos that you think best tell the democracy story at www.youtube.com/democracychallenge.
Eighteen finalists were selected in the Democracy Video Challenge in a process that was co-chaired by award-winning filmmaker and documentarian Michael Apted and Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto. Selected by an independent jury from more than 900 video submissions from over 90 countries, the finalists represent Brazil (2), Cote d’Ivoire, Germany, India, Iran (2), Japan, Nepal, Philippines, Poland, Serbia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, the United States, Uzbekistan, and Zambia. The finalist’s videos encompass an international flavor of humor and seriousness, and a variety of styles (animation, documentary film, and narrative). From Germany to India to Iran to Zambia these videos provide an impassioned array of voices and visions using web 2.0 technology with the result of enhancing the global democracy dialogue.
Six winners – one each from the Western Hemisphere, Europe, Middle East/North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Central Asia and East Asia Pacific – will be announced mid-June 2009. The winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip in September to Washington, New York and Los Angeles. While in the United States they will spend time on television/film sets; meet with film professionals, democracy advocates and government officials; and attend special screenings of their videos.
The Democracy Video Challenge was launched online and at the United Nations on International Democracy Day (September 15, 2008). It was created through a unique partnership consisting of democracy and youth organizations, the film and entertainment industry, academia, and the U.S. Government. Partners include the Center for International Private Enterprise, Directors Guild of America, International Republican Institute, International Youth Foundation, Motion Picture Association of America, NBC Universal, National Democratic Institute, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, TakingITGlobal, the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, and the U.S. Department of State. YouTube is providing the video platform, and the William Morris Agency is contributing part of the prize package.
