The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a new video competition - My View: The Asia-Pacific Climate Change Video Contest - to promote awareness of climate change, stimulate debate, and encourage climate change solutions in the lead-up to the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
No area of the world is more vulnerable to climate change than Asia and the Pacific, with the region's families, food supplies, and financial prosperity at risk. The poor face the greatest threat from climate change because of their high dependence on natural resources and limited livelihood and mobility options.While the situation is critical, there are already low-cost measures that nations can undertake to better protect the region's people, economy and environment.
"Every person can play an important role in our collective fight against climate change," said Ann Quon, Principal Director of ADB's External Relations Department. "We hope people will use this contest as an opportunity to share their views, take a stand and make videos that can make a difference."
There are no age restrictions for the contest. Citizens of any one of ADB's 67 member countries are eligible to participate.
Over $10,000 worth of prizes are being offered in three categories for the best videos about climate change in Asia and the Pacific.
"Video has the power to open minds and inspire change, and I hope people across the region and the world will share their vision about how we can solve the climate crisis," said Pepe Diokno, the 22-year-old winner of the 2009 Venice International Film Festival 'Lion of the Future' award for his first feature film, Engkwentro (Clash). Mr. Diokno is one of My View's judges.
Other judges include: Lynden Barber, an internationally regarded film critic and former Artistic Director of the Sydney Film Festival; Zhu Wen, an international award-winning film director and writer from the People's Republic of China; Brillante Mendoza, the internationally acclaimed Filipino filmmaker who won this year's Cannes Film Festival Best Director award; and Jabeen Merchant, a renowned Indian film editor who has edited major Bollywood feature films and many award winning documentaries.
Registration for the contest is easy. Applicants need only complete a short online registration form, and upload their videos to YouTube.com or Youku.com.
"This is an exciting opportunity for people from around the world to put their creativity and imagination to work," said Ms. Quon. "You don't need expensive equipment; you can even use your mobile phone. All you really need is a passion to communicate your vision of what people and nations can do to address the climate change crisis."