THE CHALLENGE

Create a video short that completes the phrase "Democracy is..."

THE PRIZE

- An all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., New York and Hollywood.
- Gala screenings of the winning videos in Hollywood, New York and Washington
- Exposure to filmmakers and the U.S. film and television industry.
- Meetings with democracy advocates from government, media and civil society.

THE TIMELINE

- SUBMISSION DEADLINE - MIDNIGHT GMT JANUARY 31, 2010.
- Challenge semifinalists will be selected on or about March 31, 2010.
- An independent jury will narrow down the semifinalists to 21 finalists on or about May 15, 2010.
- The general public will vote online for the winning videos May 15 June 15, 2010.
- Seven winners one each from the Western Hemisphere, Europe, Middle East/North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South & Central Asia, East Asia/Pacific and one anonymous winner will be announced in mid-June 2010.
- The six publicly identified winners, one from each of the six geographic regions, will travel to the United States to claim their prize in the fall of 2010.

THE DETAILS

- You must be 18 or older to enter.
- Videos can be any style: fiction or documentary, animated or live action.
- Videos must be no longer than three minutes.
- Videos must be in English or have English subtitles.
- Contestants may enter anonymously, but anonymous winners cannot collect the grand prize.
- See contest site for a complete list of rules, www.videochallenge.america.gov

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View The 2009 Democracy Video Challenge Winners and Their Winning Videos