VANCOUVER, B.C. (June 28, 2016) The Radcliffe Foundation, in collaboration with the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), announced today a $20,000 prize for a short form ‘call-to-action’ film that inspires, engages and empowers Canadians to take action on the global refugee crisis. Through a juried and public facing competition, creators can submit a short film, up to 60 seconds in length, that focuses on tangible ways for Canadians to contribute to efforts responding to the ongoing crisis. “The refugee crisis is the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of our generation, of extraordinary proportions. I believe that through education and communication, we, as Canadians can bring together global citizens and humanitarian leaders to make a difference,” said Frank Giustra, founder and President of the Radcliffe Foundation, who will be providing the $20,000 prize. “Join me, we can make a difference together”.) The prize is open to all filmmakers across all genres and will build on Canadians’ reputation as global citizens. Finalists in the competition will be put to a public vote, where the larger community can engage online, share videos and reach even more Canadians through the power of film. “We know film has the ability to change hearts and minds, to educate and to inspire, which is why we believe this competition, in collaboration with the Radcliffe Foundation, has the potential to make a substantial impact on the refugee crisis,” said Jacqueline Dupuis, Executive Director, Vancouver International Film Festival. “Canada is home to a community of creative and compassionate filmmakers and I have no doubt we will see very impactful work produced through this competition.” The jury for the competition is comprised of notable names in the philanthropic, entertainment and media sectors Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Sarah McLachlan, Louise Arbour, Craig Kielburger, Ivan Fecan, Atom Egoyan, Frank Giustra, Nicolas Moyer and Ryan Holmes. Film submissions are now open. Creators can submit their ‘call-to-action’ film through refugeestories.viff.org via private YouTube or Vimeo links. Submissions will be shortlisted by VIFF programmers and a selection of up to 10 will be sent to the jury. The jury will select three finalists that will be put to online voting. The video with the most public votes will win the $20,000 prize and a screening during the Vancouver International Film Festival this fall which runs from September 29 to October 14. Shaw TV will support the competition through weekly PSA support encouraging submissions and will run the winning short film on air. For more information including further contest details, submission criteria, and to stay connected for updates, please visit refugeestories.viff.org. |
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About the Jury
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Public speaker, advocate for women’s issues and former television host
Sarah McLachlan, Award winning artist, entrepreneur and philanthropist Honourable Louise Arbour, CC, GOQ, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada Craig Kielburger, Co-founder of Free The Children Ivan Fecan, Executive Chair, Thunderbird Films Inc., and former Canadian media executive Atom Egoyan, Acclaimed Canadian Director Frank Giustra, President, Radcliffe Foundation and CEO, Fiore Group of Companies Ryan Holmes, Founder and CEO, Hootsuite Nicolas Moyer, Executive Director, Humanitarian Coalition |
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About Radcliffe Foundation
The Radcliffe Foundation was established in 1997, by Canadian businessman and philanthropist Frank Giustra. The Radcliffe Foundation supports a wide variety of international and local causes, focusing on education, children, economic development and homelessness. In 2007, Mr. Giustra and former President Bill Clinton launched the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership, with the mandate of creating social and economic development programs through impact investing in parts of the world where poverty is widespread. Since 2005, the Radcliffe Foundation has been an active supporter of the International Crisis Group, a widely recognized independent, non-partisan source of analysis and advice to policymakers on the prevention and resolution of deadly conflict. Recently, the Radcliffe Foundation has actively responded to the on-going refugee crisis by providing humanitarian aid to refugees in Greece and Turkey. The Radcliffe Foundation has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for those in need worldwide for two decades. www.radcliffefoundation.org
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About VIFF
Founded in 1982, the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society is a not-for-profit cultural society and federally registered charitable organization that operates the internationally acclaimed Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), the annual VIFF Industry Conference and the year-round programming of the Vancity Theatre at the Vancouver International Film Centre. Its mandate is to encourage understanding of the world’s cultures through the art of cinema, to foster the art of cinema, to facilitate the meeting in British Columbia of cinema professionals from around the world, and to stimulate the motion picture industry in British Columbia. In its 35th year, the Vancouver International Film Festival welcomes the world to Vancouver from September 29-October 14, 2016 as it showcases the top BC, Canadian and international films and plays host to industry professionals from around the globe. www.viff.org
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