hollywood

≈ UPDATED — September 15, 2008 ≈

 DEMOCRACY VIDEO CHALLENGE

WHAT 
The Democracy Video Challenge is a public-private partnership initiated by
the Department of State, which seeks to engage democracy advocates,
filmmakers, and citizens from around the world in a dialogue on democracy. 

Contestants in the Challenge are asked to create a short (three minute)
video that completes the phrase:

"Democracy is..."

HOW
Challenge Entrants – you will submit your THREE-MINUTE videos to the
Challenge's contest site at YouTube,
which has agreed to provide the video platform
(September 15 – December 15, 2008)

To ensure equal treatment for all entrants from all regions, and to demonstrate commitment to freedom of expression and the free flow of idea,
the only four guidelines for entrants are:

• no incitement to violence
• no profanity
• no pornography
• no commercial promotion.

Videos that meet Challenge guidelines will be posted on
the Challenge's YouTube page at
www.youtube.com/democracychallenge 

WHEN
The site will be live beginning September 15, 2008, and you may submit
your videos through December 15, 2008.

SELECTION PROCESS

There will be one winning video from each of the six geographic regions:

AFRICA|EAST ASIA/PACIFIC|EUROPE|MIDDLE EAST|SOUTH CENTRAL ASIA|
WESTERN HEMISPHERE (Canada, Mexico, Central and South America)

The six geographic Winners will be selected through a multi-step review including
country and regional level selections.

An “Anonymous” category will allow entrants who, for reasons of personal safety
or local circumstance, may want a way to enter the contest
without providing personally identifying information.

Public web-based voting will determine the FINAL SEVEN WINNERS. 

PRIZES

*** SCREEN YOUR VIDEO! ***

The winning videos from each of the six geographic categories and the “Anonymous” category will be screened at a gala event in Washington hosted by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) - September 2009

*** TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON, NEW YORK AND HOLLYWOOD! ***
* ALL EXPENSES PAID! *

The six geographic Winners will win this trip; please note, however, that
the “Anonymous” winner is not eligible to claim the US-based prize.

 ** In Washington **

Prize activities will focus on democracy with meetings/events with government,
media and civil society leaders.

** In New York and Los Angeles (Hollywood) **

Prize activities will focus on the U.S. film and television industries.
Partners will provide access to TV/film sets, meetings with directors, film technicians, professional talent agents, new media experts, and tickets to the Universal Studios
theme park in Los Angeles.

TIMELINE

September 15 - December 15, 2008 Video Submissions to YouTube at www.youtube.com/democracychallenge

Between December 15, 2008 -February 15, 2009 Embassy Pristina will sponsor a premier screening of all the Kosovo video submissions and will select THREE semifinalists, and will inform the State Department of the choices.

March 1, 2009 - April 30, 2009 Regional/Global selections and public voting on www.America.gov

May 1, 2009 Seven Winners announced

May-July 30, 2009 Visa Applications

September 2009 Travel to the United States

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For questions contact:
 KrasniqiAA@state.gov or
 PAPristina@state.gov