Within the framework of its international project "Harnessing ICTs for the audiovisual industry and public service broadcasting in developing countries," the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has launched a call for submissions of 1- to 3-minute video podcast proposals for a series of production grants for up to US$3,000.

This project aims at putting information and communication technologies (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.

UNESCO wishes to produce and distribute a series of video podcasts addressing all publics, but particularly attractive for young adults (20-35 years old), 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; and
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 the current state of affairs.

According to UNESCO, 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 approaches will be selected for production;
• Proposals that are public service oriented;
• Proposals should not have any dialogue so that they can travel easily worldwide.

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.
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);

The deadline for submission is October 15 2006.