Democracy Video Challenge: Your Voice. Your video.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about the contest?

1. Do I have to be a professional filmmaker?
2. Can I make a video with other people?
3. Can I participate anonymously?
4. Can I submit more than one video?
5. What should my video be about?
6. Are there any restrictions on content of the video?
7. Can I use music, video clips, photos or other files from other sources?
8. Does my video need to be in English?
9. How do I create the English translation of my video transcript?
10. How do I subtitle my video?
11. What kind of equipment do I need?
12. How do I submit an entry?
13. What is the deadline?
14. Do I need to submit a transcript?
15. How will my video be judged?

1. Do I have to be a professional filmmaker?

   No. You do not need any prior film or video experience to participate.

2. Can I make a video with other people?

   Yes. However, only the YouTube account holder is eligible to receive the U.S.-based prize.

3. Can I participate anonymously?

   Yes. Videos submitted anonymously will be eligible to compete in the contest but will not be eligible to receive the U.S.-based prize package.

4. Can I submit more than one video?

   No. Each YouTube account holder may submit only one video.

5. What should my video be about?

   Create a three-minute video that completes the phrase, “Democracy is…” You may use any story telling style including, fiction, documentary, comedy, music video or animation.

6. Are there any restrictions on content of the video?

   Your video must be suitable for a general audience. It should not contain profanity, sexually explicit material, violence or commercial solicitations. For complete guidelines on prohibited material see the contest rules.

7. Can I use music, video clips, photos or other files from other sources?

   Yes. See the contest rules for a full explanation of the guidelines for using copyrighted material.

8. Does my video need to be in English?

   No. However if your video uses spoken or written words, and it is not in English, your submission must have English subtitles burned into the video image in order to qualify. Words are not required. Videos can also be silent or composed of only images and background music (please contest rules on copyright).

9. How do I create the English translation of my video transcript?

   If you do not speak English and do not know anyone who can help you with the translation, there are a number of online translators, such as http://translate.google.com/translate_t, that provide adequate translations for subtitles.

10. How do I subtitle my video?

    We recommend that you use the titling tool in your video editing software. If your software does not include a titling tool, there is free subtitling software available on the Internet.

11. What kind of equipment do I need?

    You must be able to produce a video in .avi, .mov, .mpg or .wmv format and upload it to YouTube. You must also be able to generate a videotape or DVD copy of your video.

12. How do I submit an entry?

    The Democracy Video Challenge is an Internet video contest. You must submit your entry to www.youtube.com/democracychallenge in order to participate. See the contest rules for instructions on uploading a video.

13. What is the deadline?

    You must upload your video to the YouTube contest site by midnight GMT January 31, 2009.

14. Do I need to submit a transcript?

    Yes. If you become a finalist, you will be asked to submit an electronic copy of the video transcript and a shot list in English along with a tape or DVD.

15. How will my video be judged?

    Your video will be judged on overall impact, creativity and production values. If your video is selected as a finalist, it will compete against other videos from your region in a global online vote to determine the winner. A full explanation of the judging process can be found in the contest rules.