Photo/video contest includes Douglas County

Talk about it

What does a shining future for west central Minnesota look like to you? Do you envision growing business? Flourishing communities? Thriving children? Engaged leadership? Clean lakes? Green energy?

West Central Initiative (WCI) is interested in finding out. The foundation is launching a new juried photo and video contest for both amateur and professional photographers/videographers. The goal is to find imagery that depicts part of WCI’s vision statement: “creating a better tomorrow for west central Minnesota.”

The online contest opens Monday, May 3 and runs through Friday, July 16, 2010. Twenty-two cash prizes will be awarded in all. Arts professionals from the region will judge the entries. There will also be a People’s Choice Award for best video and best photo.

Prizes include:

--$200 for first-place photo/video in both the amateur and professional categories.

--$100 for second-place photo/video in both the amateur and professional categories.

--$50 for three photo/video honorable mentions in both the amateur and professional categories.

--$300 for People’s Choice best overall photo and video.

Requirements:

--Entries will be accepted online from May 3 through July 16, 2010.

--Entrants will submit photographs or videos that best exemplify the theme: “Creating a Better Tomorrow for West Central Minnesota.”

--Photos and videos must be shot in the counties of Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse or Wilkin.

--Each entry must include an approximately 100-word essay (entered in the description box) on why it depicts the theme. Any entry without an essay will not be accepted.

--Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

--Each photo or video will be entered in one of two categories, amateur and professional. Professionals are considered those who earn part of their income from photography or videography. The Amateur category is essentially open for every one.

--Up to six photos/videos per person can be entered.

--You must obtain permission from your subjects to enter their photo/video. A parental release form is required for all children under 18. Download release forms here: http://www.wcif.org/?photovideocontest

--All entries are considered your property but by submitting them you are giving West Central Initiative unlimited use for its promotional materials (print and electronic).

--WCI staff and board and immediate family members are not eligible to enter the contest.

For more information, visit http://contest.wcif.org or call Kim Embretson or Sheri Booms Holm at 1-800-735-2239.

West Central Initiative is a public foundation serving Becker, Clay, Grant, Douglas, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin counties in west central Minnesota. WCI provides programs and resources in the areas of business and employment, workers and their families, and communities and the region. For more information about WCI programs or how you can be a partner/supporter of WCI, call 1-800-735-2239 or visit the WCI Web site at www.wcif.org.

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