SWA Encourages Members to Participate in Youth Film Contest

Feb. 25, 2008 - PRLog -- The Student World Assembly, an international youth group promoting global democracy, student activism and human rights, is encouraging its members to participate in "Film Your Issue: Short Film Competition," an innovative contest in which students submit their original films on pressing contemporary issues.  Prizes for the contest include internships at USA Today, the United Nations, PBS's P.O.V. series, $5,000 dollars from The Gates Foundation, a profile on MTV news, and additional exposure on various internet media sources.  As an organization that seeks to increase youth engagement and participation, SWA is excited to introduce this unique opportunity to its membership.

SWA-Excecutive Director, Shahram Hashemi, has expressed his enthusiasm for the project, recently saying, " Film Your Issue is a compelling initiative that stimulates youth participation by appealing to individual creativity.  Similar to the Student World Assembly, Film Your Issue empowers students by providing a platform from which they can publicly broadcast their views. This is a great opportunity for SWA members to express their opinions in a different medium and contribute their unique perspectives to the contest."

To enter, individuals between the ages of 14 and 24 must submit a film of their own creation, between 30 and 120 seconds long, that addresses an important contemporary issue. Submissions are accepted online and must be received by April 14, 2008.  Applicants are encouraged to submit narrative films rather than public service announcements. For more information and official guidelines, visit www.filmyourissue.com

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The Student World Assembly believes that true global democracy affirms fundamental human rights, which include the dignity and worth of all human beings, the equal rights of men and women, social, economic, and cultural justice and the freedom to promote these causes. By giving students from the most remote to the more accessible institutions an equal voice, we are enabling all students to educate, participate, and take action, and to begin thinking of themselves as global citizens.

Website: studentworldassembly.org