SOURCE: ITVS
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March 06, 2008 16:14 ET
PBS's "Independent Lens" and the Independent Television Service (ITVS) Launch Filmocracy, a Video Mashup Contest About the Politics of Food
Grand Prize Is $1,000 and Nationwide Screenings; Contest Information at: www.pbs.org/filmocracy
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - March 6, 2008) - ITVS Interactive (Independent
Television Service) and PBS's Emmy® Award-winning weekly series "Independent Lens"
today launched the inaugural PBS Independent Lens Filmocracy
online video mashup contest, which invites users to "mix it up and make a
statement!" Developed as an American Film Institute's Digital Content Lab
prototype, the contest engages audiences and aspiring filmmakers to create
short films, three minutes or less, inspired by "Independent Lens" content.
The "Independent Lens" presentation of "KING CORN," a
feature documentary about two friends, one acre of corn and the subsidized
crop that drives our fast-food nation, provides the backdrop for the first
competition. Directed by Aaron Woolf, Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, "KING
CORN" will air on "Independent Lens" on PBS April 15, 2008.
The Filmocracy mashup contest asks competitors to make a statement about
the politics of food in America, using "KING CORN" clips and footage from
Getty Images. Contestants can also upload their own clips and then mix it
all up with the Eyespot online editing tool. The grand prizewinner, chosen
by the "KING CORN" filmmakers, will win $1,000 and have their short
screened throughout the U.S. as part of "Independent Lens's" Community Cinema
screenings. The most popular and highest rated videos will be chosen by
Filmocracy site visitors. Additional prizes include the "KING CORN"
soundtrack and DVD, gift baskets from Urban Rustic and a signed copy of
"The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan. The contest runs from March 7 -
May 30, 2008 and the winners announced on June 23rd. Contest information
at: www.pbs.org/filmocracy
"The Filmocracy contest truly levels the playing field by allowing anyone
with a broadband Internet connection to participate," said Annelise
Wunderlich, a production manager at ITVS. "And it's our hope that the
contest will result in new ways of engaging audiences and providing
platforms for civic dialogue inspired by the film's message."
The Filmocracy contest is more than a competition. The "Learn From the
Pros" mentorship feature provides an opportunity for anyone to access
independent filmmakers' tricks of the trade. In Inside Indies Learn From
the Pros, six short films cover topics including stop-motion animation, the
use of archival footage, finding a point of view and more. Learn From the
Pros can be found at: www.pbs.org/independentlens/insideindies/learn/
"One exciting part of this project will be watching footage we had labored
over for three years encounter fresh eyes and be interpreted differently,"
said "KING CORN" co-producer Ian Cheney. Director Aaron Woolf adds, "It's
increasingly difficult in this day and age to be too precious with your
work when all sorts of media are fair game for people to sample, rework and
reedit. In this case, to have it happen with a real goal behind it was a
worthy experiment."
The prototype for Filmocracy was created in the American Film Institute's
(AFI) Digital Content Lab. Filmocracy is a joint project of "Independent
Lens," the Independent Television Service (ITVS), Eyespot, Getty Images and Exopolis, with guidance
from individuals at 20th Century Fox, kontent films and Druid Media.
For more information visit: www.pbs.org/independentlens/filmocracy/