YourTube, YourWorld, YourVideos, Your Decision.

YouTube Project Direct: a film challenge for directors with something to say.

YouTube has announced Project Direct, its first international film promotion. The competition, which starts today (October 7), is sponsored by Hewlett-Packard and aims to discover new filmmakers working around the world. From now until November 9, filmmakers can submit their best work, showcasing their creativity and displaying their talent.YouTube wants everyone involved, stressing that it's not just filmmakers they need in the competition. Once videos are submitted, judges will view the videos and narrow the contestants down to 20 finalists. After 20 amateur filmmakers are discovered, YouTube will leave the final decision to you. The YouTube community will be voting to decide what video they want to view, starting November 23 and ending December 2. The winner will revealed December 5.

This is an opportunity for independent filmmakers to get themselves out there and build their audience, but it is the global aspect of the competition that makes it a really great idea. Jamie Byrne, head of product marketing for YouTube, stresses this by pointing out that video is a universal way for people to communicate and express themselves. To be judged on an international level by fellow internet-using peers gives artists the rare chance to see how their ideas and creativity transverse national and cultural boundaries. YouTube is already such a popular way for artists to promote themselves, but Project Direct takes it one step further by giving users and producers the opportunity to recognize and reward talent.

This competition is the perfect way to promote YouTube; establishing its image as a medium and supporter of upcoming talent and a global establishment that values the opinion of its users. YouTube visitors who peruse the website between November 23 and December 2 can easily get involved in the competition, without any prior knowledge of it. All it takes is a click, a view, and a vote.. democracy.

So, here are the specific, boring details ..
Each video entry must be between two and seven minutes long, submitted in English (or with English subtitles). Contestants must be 18 years or older and must be a legal residents of any of the countries involved: Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States

... to add a creative twist on an already creative idea ...
• A character in the film must face a situation above his or her maturity level
• Each film must include the line “I demand an explanation for these shenanigans. What do you have to say?”
• A character must pass a photograph to someone else

.. and you can't have a competition without a prize ...
YouTube and HP know this, and are planning to reward the winner of Project Direct handsomely. After being choosen by the YouTube community, the winner will have their video plays on the YouTube homepage in seven countries. They will also receive $5,000 and the young film maker's networking trip of a lifetime: nine days at a top international Film Festival attending special events, including a meeting with Fox Searchlight production executives.

YouTube has envisioned a new way to promote global creativity, inspire young talent, easily involve users, and bring 7 different countries together to make a decision.. pretty great.

I am interested to see the various ways contestants can achieve the set guidelines through their own original ideas.

Check out the competition .. it's going on now!! www.youtube.com/projectdirect
Information from the article was found here.