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Finalists in the nationwide "One Nation, Many Voices" online film contest were announced this week after thousands of online viewers voted for their favorite films the first two weeks of January.
Films that received the top votes were moved ahead to the finalists round and are now in contention for the top spot, which will result in a $20,000 grand prize presented to the winning filmmaker.
The contest is in its second year and presents a forum for American Muslims to tell their own stories. Tired of simplistic narratives that fail to capture the complexities of what it’s like to be Muslim in America, dozens of filmmakers from across the country utilized the contest's online space to explore, document and examine the American Muslim experience. The short films covered a wide range of topics, from a young child's reaction to concerns about President Barack Obama's religion to how Islam has inspired an avid Oregon scuba diver to be more environmentally conscious.
The films can be seen at www.linktv.org/onenation/films/finalists.
Over 150 people across the country submitted entries online, including both American Muslims and non-Muslims of all ages.
During the first two weeks of January, thousands of users visited the film contest Web site (www.onenationfilmcontest.org), casting votes for their favorite entries. In the end, five to six finalists were selected in each of five categories: 60-Second Spot, American Muslim Women, The American Muslim Life, Two Faiths, One Film and Youth Story.
A six-member panel of celebrity judges that includes Grammy Award-winning songwriter Kenneth Gamble, comedian Preacher Moss, the 2007 Grand Prize Winner Lena Khan, and Muslim Girl Magazine Editor Ausma Khan, will review the 29 finalists to select a winner in each category as well as a grand prize winner.
The grand prize winner will receive a $20,000 cash prize and a filmmaker debut on Link TV. The winner in each of the five categories will receive $5,000 and all 29 finalists will receive a FLIP camera.
Winners will be announced on March 17, 2009.
Posted on February 5, 2009
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