Entries Open for Commonwealth Film Competition 2005

'Health and Vitality -- the Commonwealth Challenge' is the theme of the 2005 Commonwealth Vision Awards film competition. Entries are welcome from Commonwealth citizens for this contest jointly organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) and the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association.
 
Broadcasters and independent film-makers across the Commonwealth are invited to submit a written scenario on the above theme. Thereafter, 15 entries will be shortlisted by an independent selection panel and awarded £1,000 each towards the production of the finished film 30-90 seconds long.
 
Stuart Mole, Director-General of the RCS, said: "This competition, now in its fifth year, is going from strength to strength. Last year, the number of entries doubled and the shortlisted films were subsequently seen by millions around the world. It is a great way both to discover young creative talent and to express major Commonwealth issues through simple yet powerful images."
 
The theme highlights health, one of the eight focus areas of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to be achieved by 2015. The MDGs set out a commitment to reduce poverty and tackle ill health, lack of education, gender inequality, lack of access to clean water and environmental degradation. Three of the MDGs relate to health -- reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
 
Two-thirds of the 40 million people living with HIV/AIDS are Commonwealth citizens, with nine of the most heavily infected countries being in the Commonwealth. Seven  Commonwealth states are among the 20 countries in the world with the highest maternal mortality rate, with 60 per cent of maternal deaths occurring in Commonwealth states.
 
The theme's reference to vitality also anticipates the spirit of the XVIII Commonwealth Games, to be held in Melbourne, Australia, from 15 to 26 March 2006. The Games are expected to attract some 5,000 athletes from more than 70 countries and territories.

Judging of the shortlisted films will take place in October 2005. The winner will receive £2,500 and a trophy. The shortlisted entries will be broadcast Commonwealth-wide from January 2006, particularly on Commonwealth Day on 13 March 2006. This initiative is supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Foundation, British Council, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and BBC World Service.
 
Application forms and brochure can be obtained by e-mailing VisionAwards@rcsint.org or by fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9705. Applications can also be made online at www.rcsint.org/vision. The closing date for applications is 29 July 2005.

CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 242, 6 July 2005

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