FEB 2010: What’s Unique About Being Black? (Winners Just Announced!)

OFFICIAL CONTEST PAGE

> 3-5 Minute Edited Videos Sought <
> Open to Contestants from All Countries <
> $2000 Grand Prize <
> $500 First Prize and Three $250 Second Prizes <
> Opens to Entries: MLK Day, Jan  18, 2010 <
> Closes to Entries: Sun., Feb 28, 2010 <
> $1000 to G.P. Winner’s Filmmaking Club, if any <

Thank you to Antonio C of Miami, Florida
for suggesting this theme through this form.

Dare to Ask the Uncomfortable Questions

Discussing race is awkward and often avoided. Though race clearly plays a major role in many individuals sense of self and to the dynamics of many communities, we’re often told to ignore it — to pretend differences among races don’t exist.

But they do. And this contest is designed to uncover the experience of one group: blacks (often called African-Americans in the US).

What does it mean to be black in 2010?  This contest is open to all filmmakers, whether black or any other race, but the subjects of the films must be black.  Questions to explore:

• Is being black important to your sense of self? How so?
• What would you — or do you — tell your children about being black?
• How does race play into your daily life?
• There’s obviously enormous diversity among the black community. Do you think there are some things which are the same across most blacks? What are they?
• What are some of the tensions you personally feel within the black community (examples: American-born vs. immigrant, religious divisions, or even racial tensions between lighter skin and darker skin blacks)?  Tell about your personal experience.
• There are radio programs, television and magazines aimed specifically at black audiences? Does this media do a better job at speaking to you than general audience media? Citing specific examples, how so?
• Would you prefer general audience media (to black-targeted media) if it had a better representation of blacks in it? Why?
• What is it that most white people don’t get about blacks?

Guidelines

• While the questions above seem directed at interviews, it’s always better to show rather than tell – include footage that brings these questions to life.
• The subjects of the films must be black. There are competing definitions of what “black” is (i.e. does having one black parent make one black? One black grandparent?).  We leave the definition up to you, but will, when reviewing submissions, potentially eliminate those including subjects who are clearly not black.
• Speak to people on streets, in their homes, at school, at work. Anywhere you choose.
• While racial discrimination may (or may not) play a role in people’s attitudes, discrimination should not be the dominant theme of this film.  The focus is what being black inherently IS, not the perceptions of others toward blacks.

NOTE: Your video does not need to cover all these suggested themes or questions. You’ll need to focus in some way – maybe on hopes, on fears, on predictions, on the personal or on the general (country or world). Your choice.

Entry Requirements Specific This Contest

• Filmmakers can be of any race, 14 years of age or older.
• Filmmakers can live in any country. Blacks may be a minority or majority. The questions remain though may have nuances specific to that country which can be explored.
• Minimum Length of Entry: Three minutes.
• Maximum Length: Five minutes.
• Due Date for Entries: See above.  Earlier submissions are encouraged!

Entry Requirements for All Reel Insights Contests

• It’s essential that you read this document: Requirements for Every Submitted Video.
• You are also strongly encouraged to read The Official Rules for Reel Insights Video Contests.
• Some jurisdictions have laws regulating or prohibiting entry into contests. Our contest are void where prohibited or aversely regulated by local law, or to contestants who are barred by their local law from entering. If you have concerns, please check with your local authorities.