Aral Balkan

Calling all filmmakers: Current TV just launched a contest seeking a short form piece (pod) about tolerance. Winning filmmaker will receive $100,000 with an additional $15k to the nonprofit, tolerant organization of their choice. Also, the 2 runners up will receive cash prizes. Celebrity judges: Paul Haggis, Margaret Cho, Edward Norton and Melissa Etheridge.

Laina, a very good friend of mine who works at Current TV, asked if I'd help her get the word out on the contest. Actually, after getting her email, I read up a bit more on Current TV and I love what they're doing. In fact, you can see a sampling of their latest stuff on their Video Preview page. I enjoyed the viewer-created piece on "The Dubizzle in Dubai".

So what is Current TV and how does it work? From their website:

Anyone who wants to contribute can upload a video. Then, everyone in the Current online community votes for what should be on TV. You can join in at either stage -- watch & vote or create & upload. (We've also got online training to help you get the skills you need to make TV!)

This is definitely not a traditional TV network. Watching Current, you'll see more, on more topics, from more points of view.

But if we're going to succeed, we need you to do more than watch; we need you to jump in and participate.

If you know any filmmakers, actors or writers, can you let them know about this cool opportunity? Any pieces that the audience likes will still make it to air and be paid - just like how we air other viewer created content. Current has about 30% of our content from viewers and are looking to up that number to 65%.

The piece need not be heavy and depressing, it can be delivered in any manner that carries the point of tolerance.

Comments

• So it's kinda like a TV version of Threadless.com, coolio! Is the comp a one off or will it be a regular thing? Sounds like a really great opportunity for the little people to get some exposure.

  by Jolyon on 2006-06-20 11:55:35

• Looks like is for US-residents only. GRRR, I was already dusting my camera off!

  by Daniel on 2006-06-20 15:09:03

• Cheers for the info. The link to the contest page is broken though.

  by Adam on 2006-06-20 15:56:02

• Aral, Thanks so much for posting this! You're the best. To answer the questions some other people posted - Current TV is in 28 million U.S. homes right now. We're planning to launch abroad soon, but I don't know exactly when. I just read the fine print - ugh! We are only open to U.S. residents for this contest - that's a bummer! Typically we take content from anywhere in the world. I think that because we partnered with another organization, they probably put that stipulation on there - so sorry! Current runs a lot of competitions, but right now this one has the largest cash prizes, and it's because we've partnered with other people. We have given away cameras and other cool things in the past, and are always changing it up. I emailed our web person to make sure the link is working properly. Again - thanks Aral - and thanks to everyone else for leaving a posting! Laina

  by Laina on 2006-06-20 18:48:58

• Can I borrow your camera Daniel?

  by LEE on 2006-06-20 20:40:08