Make a Movie, Make a Difference: Enter United Way's Second Annual Video Competition

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Oct. 18, 2012) - Use art to advocate for social change! Enter United Way's second annual "Care to Change 2012" video competition. You could make a difference and win a prize.

Videos should focus on social issues facing the Lower Mainland including childhood poverty, bullying and seniors' social isolation. The video competition is open to all BC residents. Entries should be no longer than three minutes, and can be submitted in one of two categories: Youth (19 years and younger) or Adult (age 20 years and up). The contest closes on December 2, 2012.

Winners will be announced in February 2013 at the Care to Change Awards, to be held at the Vancity Theatre, Vancouver International Film Centre.

First prize in the Adult category is a Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera and a CTV News Experience for four that includes a behind the scenes studio tour and a chance to watch a live broadcast of CTV News at 5.

The first prize in the Youth category is a $1200 Best Buy Gift Certificate and CTV News Experience for four. Each member of the winning team will also get a place on the TELUS Summer Visions Film Institute 2013, courtesy of Pacific Cinematheque and valued at $600 per person. The winning youth video will be screened at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) as part of the 2013 ReelYouth Film Festival Tour.

Care to Change also features workshops, supported by TELUS through TELUS Optik Local, which will provide guidance to aspiring videographers, as well as showcase the art of video animation. Optik Local showcases content on TELUS Optik TV which is produced and created by community members in Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary.

High school student Selin Jessa was one of last year's winners in the Youth category. Selin credits Care to Change with providing an unrivalled opportunity to use art and film to bring attention to an often-overlooked issue, that of child poverty. "Story telling has power," said Selin. "If you can create a compelling, interesting or moving film about an issue worth caring about, Care to Change is a great platform, and United Way a great partner with which to make your voice heard and make a difference."

Sponsors for Care to Change 2012 are The Beat 94.5, CTV British Columbia, VISO Give and Youthink, with Reel Youth as contributing partner.

About United Way of the Lower Mainland

United Way is a charitable organization established over eighty years ago to support those in need in Metro Vancouver. Today, we are dedicated to creating healthy, caring and inclusive communities by breaking the cycle of poverty, helping school-aged children make the right life choices, and supporting seniors to age with dignity. By raising millions of dollars each year, mobilizing the commitment of community leaders, investing in innovative research and programs, and raising our voice for progressive social policy, United Way acts as a catalyst for change.