Author(s):
Chayer Amelie <amelie@icbl.org> .
Monday 20 July 2009
What is it?
Mines Action Canada (MAC) invites youth campaigners from around the world to participate in a competition to submit short multimedia presentations on the theme "what if." as it relates to landmines and cluster bombs. All details of the contest are available on Mine Action Canada's dedicated webpage.
What is the purpose?
The purpose of this competition is to find new, compelling and provocative ways to tell the story of what the real, human impact of our work is and why everyone - specifically the Canadian public - should support work towards a world free from cluster bombs and landmines.
This theme is intended to focus attention on the life-changing implications of banning landmines and cluster bombs, particularly as it relates to young people both affected by these weapons and working to eliminate them.
Here are some examples of the types of questions you could explore in your multimedia presentation:
What if...
- the movements to ban landmines and cluster bombs did not exist?
- my country was free from landmines and cluster bombs?
- my country was contaminated with landmines and cluster bombs?
- no one cared about ridding the world of landmines and cluster bombs?
- everyone cared and contributed to ridding the world of victim-activated weapons?
Please don't limit yourself to these example questions, they are intended to inspire you to create some questions of your own to guide your project.
What do I win?
The top three winners will be awarded video camcorders.
Who can participate?
Submissions will be accepted from any contestant between the ages of 18 and 30 residing outside of Canada. Please note that a separate competition for Canadians will be launched in September 2009.
What are the rules?
Submissions must be original, in English or with English subtitles, and less than three minutes. They could be animated or live films, podcasts, slide shows, or online games. All entries need to contain some original material. Applicants are free to incorporate someone else's materials as long as they are copyright free and properly credited with written permission from the owner. Any entries that contain images, music, film or excerpts that do not comply with this rule will be disqualified.
How do I enter the competition?
Applicants will submit their entries to MAC by filling out a registration form and uploading their submissions here. Hard copies of submissions will not be accepted. The final deadline for the receipt of submissions is 5 August 2009.
How will submissions be judged?
All submissions will be reviewed and shortlisted by a panel of approximately five MAC staff members. Final decisions on the winning submissions will be made by MAC's Board of Directors.
Submissions will be judged on:
- Effectiveness and creativity in the communication of why everyone should support the work to ban cluster bombs and landmines.
- Production quality. Even if you have an amazing idea, your message could be lost if you have unclear images or audio.
- Obeying the criteria for length, subject matter, observing copyrights, submission to MAC, and the deadline.
What will MAC do with my submission?
Submissions will become property of MAC. Top ranked submissions will be featured in a MAC exhibit at the Second Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty in Colombia and in other MAC promotional materials such as our website, YouTube channel, etc. The creator of any submission will always be properly credited and their name will be prominently displayed any time MAC uses the material.
How will I know who won?
Winners will be announced via Twitter and MAC's Facebook Fan page in late August - so make sure you sign up to one or both of these groups when you send in your submission! For your convenience, there will be links to both groups on the submission form.
