São Paulo – The One Minute Festival is accepting entries of minute-long videos about refugees. The contest is organized by the Brazilian production company Um Minuto Marketing e Produções Culturais and all nationalities are eligible. For the upcoming edition, in addition to support from the Brazilian Ministry of Culture, the festival relies on the partnership of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Videos in English and in Portuguese are accepted.
According to One Minute Festival producer Alexandre Leopoldino, refugees were chosen as the topic as a new awareness-raising strategy, considering the partnership with the UNHCR. “Video is a widespread format,” the producer said. According to him, people can convey their feelings about refugees or tell their stories, among other possibilities. The goal is to portray these immigrants in a more humane way than simply as fugitives of war.
The UNHCR will advertise the festival internationally, and the goal is to receive 300 entries before the deadline. Submissions started on March 1st and end on May 31st. The contest is open to amateurs and professionals alike and videos can be made using in any type of equipment, from cameras to cell phones, computer animation etc. Submissions are online only.
The best videos will be shown during a ceremony on June 20th, World Refugee Day. Winners will receive trophies from UNHCR and the One Minute Festival. The UNHCR will pick one winner and the festival will name as many as it sees fit.
According to Leopoldino, the intention is to encourage video-making rather than competition. The winners will be chosen by a technical team of curators, with input from the One Minute Festival and the UNHCR.
The One Minute Festival was first held in 1991. It happens throughout the year rather than once-a-year. Shortly after the refugee video contest ends, a new subject matter will be announced. Past subjects include: family, soap bubbles, colors, rivers etc., but this is the first partnership with the UNHCR.
One Minute Festival: Refugees
Submission period: March 1st to May 31st, 2016
Entries: www.festivaldominuto.com.br
Additional information: UNHCR Brazil (brabrpi@unhcr.org) and One Minute Festival (alexandre@festivaldominuto.com.br)
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
