US State Dept Launches Global Video Contest

Create your videos now for a chance to win an international experience of a lifetime.
On December 1, 2008, the U.S Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will launch an interactive, on-line video contest:   "My Culture + Your Culture = Share your Story."

People all over the world are invited to submit videos, no longer than three minutes in length, containing any form of artistic expression including but not limited to dance, spoken word, poetry, and song.  Videos will be judged on originality, creativity, effectiveness and production quality. 

Age/nationality:  Entries will be submitted and judged in two age group categories (ages at time of submission):
·         14-17 years
·         18 years and over. 
From each age category, one winner will be non-U.S., one U.S. 

Grand prizes:  Each of the two non-U.S. winners will receive an all-expense-paid, two-week cultural exchange program to the United States.  The U.S. winners will receive an all-expense paid, two-week cultural exchange program to a country yet to be determined.

Deadlines:  Contest opens December 1, 2008 and closes January 26, 2009.  Winners will be announced March 16, 2009. 

Judging:  The videos will be reviewed and voted for by the State Department’s Exchanges Connect on-line community, http://connect.state.gov.  A blue ribbon panel of judges composed of State Department alumni will then review the final round of videos.  The State Department will then select four winners based on the judges’ rankings.

Through a dynamic new Web presence, http://connect.state.gov, the State Department is calling for young people worldwide to engage in the community of international exchange to network, to act and to make a difference.  This platform promotes mutual understanding among youth and adults of all ages by highlighting cultures, customs, and values through the submission of user generated content and a number of multi media tools (forums, photos, video, podcasting, etc.).  User groups gain the ability to connect to one another online, share their experiences, learn about each other, post user-generated content, build new communities and ultimately make a difference. 

Visit http://connect.state.gov to register.