The popularity of Current TV’s $100,000 video competition, “Seeds of Tolerance,” has persuaded the network to extend the contest while attracting two additional celebrity judges.
The new submissions deadline will be October 2, and writer/director M. Night Shyamalan and actor Jeffrey Wright have joined the list of guest judges already tapped to participate. They include 2006 Best Picture Oscar winner Paul Haggis (Crash), actor Edward Norton, musician Melissa Etheridge and comedienne Margaret Cho. Current TV is waging its “Seeds of Tolerance” initiative in partnership with the Third Millennium Foundation, whose mission is to promote the understanding of diversity.
“I’ve often thought about the concept of tolerance — as it relates to my birth country, India, with its still-discernible caste system, and here in America where religious and cultural influences continue to keep many minds closed,” stated Shyamalan. “I’m honored to join Paul Haggis and others to judge Current TV’s Seeds of Tolerance competition and hope that, in any way possible, it helps further enlighten and embolden this new generation.”
Submissions can tell any story relating to the issue of tolerance, discussing topics that include racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism and discrimination based on social class, physical disability, or religion. Since June, contributors have been encouraged to upload submissions to Current’s web site at www.current.tv/tolerance.
Producers must be 18 or over, and submissions are preferred to be similar in length to Current’s 3-5 minute “pods,” but are welcome up to 10 minutes in length. Each submission must include a maximum of 250 words on why the featured issue is meaningful and how this story can inspire, or has inspired, positive change. Other requirements are posted on Current’s website, and the campaign is open to producers of all levels of experience. Video makers can shoot their stories, rants, and profiles of amazingly tolerant or intolerant people. For additional story ideas, visit www.current.tv/tolerance.
After the October 2 deadline, Current, The Third Millenium Foundation and the guest judges will select five semi-finalists. In November, the semi-finalists’ videos will be posted online, and Current’s audience will be able to cast votes to select the grand prize winner and two finalists. The grand prize winner will receive $100,000 cash, with an additional $15,000 given to a relevant charity of his or her choice; the two finalists will each receive $10,000 cash. All cash awards will be generously provided by the Third Millennium Foundation. Beyond the “Seeds of Tolerance” finalists, Current may opt to air any of the submissions and will compensate producers accordingly.
David Neuman, president of programming at Current commented, “We are delighted to have the additional support and participation of M. Night Shyamalan and Jeffrey Wright in our Seeds of Tolerance initiative. Both Current and The Third Millenium Foundation are very excited about the level of enthusiasm our viewers have expressed surrounding this program.”
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