from friends in media, and worth sharing:

Link TV, the largest independent TV broadcaster in the country, is working on a new project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It’s called ViewChange.org, and it’s a next-generation website that uses the power of video to build a case for better global development initiatives. An important part of this project is our ViewChange Online Film Contest - we’re inviting filmmakers to submit five-minute stories about progress being made towards the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. We’re accepting films through August 31st, and are offering $50,000 in cash prizes to the winners.

Entrants to the contest will be able to submit films five minutes or less to any one of several categories - learn more here. The winner in each category will earn a $5,000 prize, and the Grand Prize winner will receive $20,000. Contestants can upload their submissions until August 31st to the project's website: ViewChangeFilmContest.org.

Online voters will help determine the finalists, and then our panel of celebrity judges (including Danny Glover, Wim Wenders, Gael García Bernal, and US Senator Daniel Inouye) will select the winners, announced in October. We’re offering filmmakers a great exposure opportunity - winners and finalists' films will be nationally broadcast on Link TV and the finalists' films will be showcased at major events in New York City and Washington, D.C.

With about a month left in the submission window, we're reaching out to film groups and development communities all over to ask them to submit pared-down versions of their films and/or help spread the word about the contest. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or need further information. With your help, we can build awareness, inspire action, and accelerate the worldwide movement to reduce extreme poverty by 2015.