Current TV Contest
If you're an aspiring filmmaker who has always dreamed of having your work judged by the likes of Melissa Etheridge, Edward Norton, and Margaret Cho, then have we got the contest for you. Current TV is looking for short films that address issues of "tolerance and understanding diversity" to be featured on their network. The grand prize is $100,000.00. A few of the rules, as presented in their press release, after the jump.
Submissions can tell any story relating to the issue of tolerance, discussing topics that include racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism and discrimination based on social class, physical disability, or religion. As of this week, contributors can upload submissions to Current's Web site, and submissions will be accepted until August 15, 2006.Producers must be 18 or over, and submissions are preferred to be similar in length to Current's 3-5 minute "pods," but are welcome up to 10 minutes in length. Each submission must include a maximum of 250 words on why the featured issue is meaningful and how this story can inspire, or has inspired, positive change. Other requirements are posted on Current's website, and the campaign is open to producers of all levels of experience. Video makers can shoot their stories, rants, and profiles of amazingly tolerant or intolerant people.
We'd also like to point out that one of the judges is Crash director Paul Haggis, and if this contest encourages future auteurs out there to create a film that addresses issues of tolerance and intolerance better than that piece of tripe Crash did, then we're all for it.