Rules
HOW TO ENTER:
• Students are asked to create a short film or PSA that reflects the core idea of this year’s contest,
“Together We Can Make a Difference.”
• Films should be no longer than 5 minutes in length.
• PSAs should be no longer than 30 seconds in length.
• Entries must be original, undistributed works produced, written and/or directed by the
submitting filmmaker.
• Entries should be submitted on a high-quality DVD and must conform to the National Television
Standards Committee (NTSC) specifications. DO NOT SEND THE MASTER COPY OF YOUR ENTRY.
• Please label all DVDs with the following information:
1) Title of Project
2) Category: Film or PSA
3) Total Running Time (TRT)
4) Name
5) Contact information (phone and e-mail)
6) Name of college or university
• All entries must be in English.
• All entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form.
• Soundtracks may be mixed in any manner the filmmaker wishes, but winning films will be presented as
two-channel, conventional stereo soundtracks.
• Submissions must be postmarked by December 31, 2008, and mailed to the Preserve Our Planet
Film and PSA Contest:
Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA Contest
Attn: POP Film and PSA Contest Coordinator
1145 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
[email protected]
Note: for questions or inquiries, please e-mail [email protected].
JUDGING:
• All submissions will be reviewed by the Preserve Our Planet film committee to determine qualification.
•The film committee will select the finalists in each category, and a distinct panel of judges will select the
winners based on the general criteria provided and will be weighted according to the following:
1) Creativity – 50%
2) Reflection of this year’s core idea, “Together We Can Make a Difference” – 25%
3) Production value – visual and story strength – 25%
• A panel of expert judges composed of National Geographic Channel executives, National Geographic
Explorers, scientists, filmmakers, photographers and others will determine the1st place winners
as well as three runners-up in each category. These will be announced in March 2009.
• The three runners-up in each category will be eligible for the audience award, which will be selected by
online voting at www.preserveourplanet.com. Voting will take place for two weeks in March 2009, and
there will be no limit as to the number of times someone can vote.
• Entrants will not be notified or contacted unless they are selected as a winners or runners-up.
Winner information will be posted online at www.preserveourplanet.com in April 2009.
Rules
WINNING ENTRIES:
The winning and audience choice PSAs will premiere on the National Geographic Channel during our Earth Day
programming in April 2009. Winning films and additional PSAs will be featured on National Geographic Channel
platforms including but not limited to online, on-air and video on demand (VOD).
In addition, both 1st Place and Audience Award winners for the Film and PSA categories will receive a cash prize
and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June 2009 during the annual gathering of National Geographic
Explorers. Winning entries in both categories will be screened in front of an exclusive audience of Explorers.
Cash Prizes:
1st Place - winning short film - $5,000
1st Place - winning PSA - $3,000
Audience Award - Online voting winner – short film - $1,500
Audience Award - Online voting winner – PSA - $1,000
In addition to the 1st Place and Audience Award winners, a selection of submitted films and PSAs may also be
featured on additional National Geographic Channel platforms, such as the National Geographic Channel, National
Geographic Channel VOD, the Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA Contest Web site and other platforms where appropriate.
ELIGIBILITY:
• The contest is open to all college students 18 years of age and older as of December 31, 2008, and
enrolled in a U.S. educational institution.
• The contest is limited to U.S. citizens enrolled in a U.S. college or university. However, U.S. citizens
enrolled in a U.S. university but studying abroad are eligible to enter. All winners must be physically
present in the United States in June 2009 to receive the prizes.
• All entrants must be enrolled in a U.S. college or university during calendar year 2008. Students must
receive at least three college credits during the fall 2008 semester.
• Submissions require each entrant to show proof of student status. A valid, clear photocopy of a 2008
student ID or an official letter on official letterhead from the school registry office will be accepted.
• No entry will be considered unless the entire entry form is complete. If more than one project is being
considered, a separate, completed entry form must be submitted with each project.
• There is no limit to the number of entries submitted as long as each entry abides by the rules herein.
• The submitting filmmaker must be directly responsible for the creative control and direction of the
project. Collaborative efforts may be recognized and acknowledged, but only the submitting filmmaker
will be awarded the applicable prize.
• All entries must provide documentation of clearances or permission for all incorporated materials used,
if any.
• Entries using copyrighted material (sound or picture) must legally obtain proper clearances and
permission to use the material. Documentation showing this clearance and permission must be submitted
with the application. Examples of copyrighted material may include popular music, stock footage and still
photographs. It is the filmmaker’s responsibility to obtain rights, clearances and permission.
• The Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA Contest, the National Geographic Channel and the National
Geographic Society assume no responsibility for violation of copyright law.
• Obscene, pornographic or violent material is not allowed under any circumstance. This rule will be strictly
enforced by the Film Committee.
Rules
ELIGIBILITY (cont.):
• Submission of an entry automatically transfers unlimited exhibition, duplication and distribution rights
for the entry to the Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA Contest. The media and the content contained on
the media become the property of the Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA Contest and the National
Geographic Channel. By submitting an entry to the Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA Contest, each
entrant expressly grants permission to use their name, likeness and hometown.
• Entrants are NOT allowed to post their films online, including YouTube, Facebook, MySpace or any
other online entity. Online posting of an entry will immediately disqualify the filmmaker from
participation in the contest.
• Filmmakers will be allowed to post written information about their entry online, on Facebook, MySpace,
blogs, etc., but must include the Preserve Our Planet URL.
• First place winning filmmakers and runners-up will be notified in March 2009 prior to the start of online
voting. Audience Award winners will be notified by April 2009.
• Previous contest participants and winners are eligible to submit new original material. Entries that have
been submitted in previous years for the Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA contest will NOT qualify.
• The Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA Contest is in no way responsible for any materials not
postmarked by the due date. All participants are responsible for making sure all material is postmarked and mailed on or before the due date in order to be eligible for consideration. All tapes and material shall
become the property of the Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA Contest Committee upon receipt and
will not be returned.
• Entrants shall indemnify, defend and hold the Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA Contest, its agents and
its representatives harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, costs, liabilities and
expenses which may be incurred by reason of any breach of these representations, or arising out of any
matter contained in the media or otherwise by the Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA Contest’s use
of the media.
• In case of questions, disputes or misunderstandings, the decisions of the judges, the voting tally for the
Audience Award, and the Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA Contest selection committee are final.
• Entry is void where prohibited by law. Entry by members of the Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA
Contest Board of Advisors, the operating staff of the Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA Contest or
the staff of National Geographic Channel and National Geographic Society are expressly prohibited.
All rights reserved. All Fox, National Geographic and ecoAmerica employees are ineligible to
participate in this contest.
The Preserve Our Planet Film and PSA Contest is proud to partner with:
www.ecoamerica.net
www.monstertrak.com/greencareers