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Within the framework of its international project "Harnessing ICTs for the audiovisual industry and public service broadcasting in developing countries", UNESCO is launching a call for submissions of video podcast proposals for a series of production grants.

This project aims at putting ICTs, particularly brand new formats, to the use of content development on major societal and development issues such as human rights, peace, tolerance and the fight against discrimination by providing developing countries with training, production and distribution opportunities in these areas.

Objective: UNESCO wishes to produce and distribute a series of video podcasts targeted to all publics, but particularly attractive for young adults (20-35), aimed at increasing understanding of the development and societal issues identified as priority fields by UNESCO, namely:

1. Human Rights;
2. Peace;
3. Tolerance;
4. Fight against discrimination, based on race, gender or other issues (e.g. HIV status);
5. Millennium Development Goals, particularly poverty-alleviation and gender equality and women empowerment;
6. Freedom of Expression;
7. Intercultural communication.

UNESCO is NOT interested in approaching these issues from an institutional point of view, but rather through a critical analysis of sub-regional/regional situations that can provide audiences with a fresh perspective on development issues as well as with a reflection on alternatives, at individual and community levels, to current state of affairs.

Development topics have traditionally been approached through conventional forms of audiovisual language. UNESCO does NOT wish to reproduce conventional approaches on these sometimes over-exposed issues but rather provide talented people with an opportunity to explore new, challenging and creative ways of encouraging reflection and debate on development issues through new uses of audio-visual language.

Criteria for selection

• Genre: Video podcasts (drama, comedy, children, animation, music, documentary);
• ONLY production proposals that are daring, challenging, innovative and creative in their own right for their form, and/or content and original or unusual approach will be selected for production;
• Proposals that are public service oriented;
• Proposals should not have any dialogue so that they can travel easily worldwide.

Target: All publics, but particularly young adults (20-35). UNESCO is interested in local approaches to global issues and will favour proposals that are addressed/accessible to a wide range of peoples and cultures in the world (universality through locality).

Format: Digital video. Maximum length: 3 minutes. 1-2 minutes preferable.

Regions: proposals from developing countries are strongly encouraged.

 Submission Process: Interested producers, directors, filmmakers should submit:

1. A cover page indicating your name, country, age, gender (male/female), a synopsis (one or two paragraphs) and an indication of which development and societal issues the proposal addresses (see list of issues above under the « Objectives » section)
2. A complete and detailed script (including storyboard, if possible, with timing);
3. A production project, including background, vision, production team members and their CVs, time framework, budget breakdown;
4. Examples of past work on DVD (DVDs will not be returned), or a link to websites where the work can be fully screened (trailers are not acceptable);

Amount of grants:

• Grants will not exceed US$3,000 and depending on duration can be less.
• UNESCO will issue a contract with each selected producer.

Time framework:

• The deadline for submission is 15 October 2006.
• UNESCO will study all proposals and notify those selected early November 2006.
• Production work: December 2006-March 2007
• Submission of pre-edited version (rough cut) to UNESCO before end of March 2007.
• Evaluation of rough cuts by UNESCO and corresponding adjustments: April 2007
• Post-production work: May 2007
• Final delivery (Final cut on AVI and Quicktime) is expected by June 2007.

Copyright

UNESCO will request the unlimited, non-exclusive rights of podcasts and will disseminate them electronically worldwide. It is the responsibility of the selected producers to clear all neighbouring rights related to the productions.

Proposals shall be sent:

By mail:

UNESCO
ICT@PSB project
Communication Development Division
1, rue Miollis
75015 Paris, France

By e-mail: creativecontent@unesco.org