ViewChangeFilmContest.org has launched an online competition to find powerful new stories about the progress being made in achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These short videos will be used to raise awareness, inspire action, and accelerate the worldwide movement to reduce extreme poverty by 2015. We want professional filmmakers, amateurs, and experts in the field to show us the personal stories behind these global targets. Whether your film is a documentary, short drama, music video, or animation, we're looking for stories that show how development efforts are helping the world's poorest people to improve their lives.
There are six categories (listed below). To encourage a variety of submissions, we're offering a $20,000 Grand Prize for the overall winner, plus $5,000 to the winner of each category. Online voters will help determine the finalists in each category. Winners will be chosen by a distinguished panel of judges from many fields, including actor and UN Ambassador Danny Glover and US Senator Daniel K. Inouye. Best of all, the videos of winners and finalists will be broadcast on Link TV and other television channels worldwide, and be available for high-quality streaming at ViewChange.org.
Feel free to use your creativity on how to best "categorize" your short film that tells the story of success or progress in developing countries. A story about a new way of filtering drinking water, for instance, may fit in the Sustainability, Innovation, Empowerment, or Local/Global Partnership categories, depending on the angle you take. Story lines do not necessarily have to be based on real people or events, but they must show or describe real-life progress toward achieving one or more of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Please remember: although you may submit multiple entries, each entry may only be submitted in one category. Submissions should not exceed five minutes in length (excluding the mandatory end slate), and can take the form of documentaries, short dramas, animations, or music videos.
Sustainability
Stories should focus on sustainable projects and initiatives: those that offer a long-term solution to a development-related problem. Examples could include environmentally friendly development projects, efforts that don't rely on continued outside funding, or community education programs.
Innovation
Stories should focus on new and innovative development programs and initiatives. Examples could include emerging technologies and their uses in development, creative improvements in agriculture, new disease prevention practices, or simple solutions to complex problems in the developing world.
Overcoming Conflict
Videos should tell the story of success in the face of conflict, broadly defined. Examples could include war, cultural clashes, equality issues, or oppression.
Empowerment
Stories should feature people taking initiative to improve their own lives and the lives of those around them. Examples could include gender equality stories, education programs, or grassroots health campaigns.
Leadership & Governance
Stories should highlight improvements in accountability, freedom, transparency, and civic engagement. Examples could include lobbies for education or environmental reform, youth participation in government, or a locally led maternal health campaign.
Local/Global Partnerships
Stories should highlight teamwork between local efforts and governments, NGOs, philanthropic groups, or social entrepreneurs. Examples could include a new microfinance opportunity, partnership with an international faith-based initiative, or a program to bring internet access to underserved areas.
