Video Contest: Show Us Your REEL BC

[The REEL BC Video Contest ran from October 1 - 31, 2011, and is now closed. We'd like to thank everyone who entered - the submissions were all wonderful! The winners will be announced on December 1, 2011 at the Tyee's "Reeled In" Panel Discussion and Screening Event. You can find out more and get your tickets here].

It's true: sometimes -- with the contributions of our more visually inclined readers -- we put together beautiful photo essays. Similarly, every so often we'll post a clip from YouTube or Vimeo, but that's about as far as we stray from straight-up, text-based journalism.

That is, until now.

The Tyee is calling for submissions to our first video competition: "The REEL BC." We're asking you, readers, to show us British Columbia through your eyes.

ENTER NOW.

What's reel?

The exact definition of "reel" is up to you. It could mean anything from action-packed footage of mountain biking on Cypress to a documentary take on urban graffiti. The key is to make sure your submission shows B.C. from a British Columbian's perspective. Whether that's footage of a flash mob in Prince Rupert, a canoe trip through the Broken Group Islands, an urban gardening project in Vancouver's Mount Pleasant, or a road trip touring the Okanagan's vineyards, we want to see it.

And don't worry. We're not expecting big-budget flicks; this project is inspired by "guerrilla videography," and is about authenticity rather than production value. Students, amateur filmmakers, and anyone else with access to a camera is welcome to take part.

You're also welcome to enter videos that you've used for other projects, so long as the work is your own. Submit as many films as you like: there's no entry fee. All we ask is that you keep each submission to less than five minutes in length, and that you enter before Oct. 31, 2011.

At the end of October, we'll review the entries and compile a shortlist. On November 15, we'll open that shortlist up to two weeks of voting from -- you guessed it -- Tyee readers. Should you be selected for the shortlist, we'll notify you so that you can spam your family and friends with "Vote for my video!" emails, day in and day out. The votes that each video receives will be taken into account when Tyee judges decide which video wins first, second, and third prize.

Special event to screen the winners

On December 1, after the two weeks of voting are over, we'll have a special event to announce and screen the winning films.

We know you're in this for the fame and glory of being published on The Tyee, so we won't harp on too long about the amazing prizes we have in store. Two runners-up will have their videos featured on The Tyee and will each receive gift bags full of fantastic Canadian films from the National Film Board. The first-place entry, our "Golden Fish" winner, will also have a prominent space on The Tyee, and - thanks to one of the contest's sponsors, Simply.ca - will win an iPad. Yes, an iPad.

And if that isn't enough, the December 1 screening, which will be open to the public, will be attended by a special group that includes film experts, video journalists, and viral video gurus. These special guests (we aren't revealing who just yet) will watch the videos with the crowd, and will spend some time discussing amateur filmmaking and guerrilla video.

So get filming, already! And if you're ready to go, you can click here to enter the contest right now. Good luck!

The fine print: By submitting your film to The Tyee's REEL BC competition, you're giving The Tyee permission to share your work on our website, with REEL BC's sponsors, and -- if your entry is selected as a winner -- to screen it at the Dec. 1, 2011 event. If you submit work that is not your own or attempt take credit for someone else's work, you will be disqualified.