Caribbean Young Professionals Science and Agriculture Film and Video Competition

"Adding Value to Local Foods"


The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA), the Caribbean Council for Science and Technology (CCST), the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development (CARDI), the University of the West Indies (UWI), and the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company (TTFC) launched the second Caribbean-wide science and agriculture video competition, targeting young professionals. The launch highlighted the results of a survey of Caribbean people on local foods; showcased the winner of the first Caribbean-wide competition and how this has benefited him and the second competition theme, and schedule of events were also unveiled. [full details available in the competition official regulations].

This competition provides an effective platform for showcasing the capabilities of creative, technology-savvy young Caribbean professionals (persons 18-35 years) with a passion for communicating the variety of ways that the full potential of science and technology can be leveraged for agricultural and economic development. Our mission is to motivate young people: "to engage cutting-edge digital film and video technology to produce compelling films that are well researched, highly entertaining, ethically sound and powerful in promoting agriculture and adding value to locally produced food for health and wealth creation throughout the Caribbean".

Over 10,000 EURO in prizes to be won! The top 5 winners will also attend the Caribbean Tales Film Festival in Barbados and network with international industry players as part of the awards!!! But this is not all, teams that make it to the semi-finals will be trained and mentored.

TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED TRAINING


In 2014 up to 25 teams reaching the semi-finals (up to 4 persons a team) will be accepted to participate in a 5-day training program. Training will be based in the country where the most number of entries are submitted. All levels will be coached to produce world-class content by honing their filmmaking skills from the concept/script development to film distribution continuum. They will be trained to achieve a great product with whatever device they own whether- a tablet -Ipad, Ipod, Iphone, Andriod phone, Camera, etc. They will also be mentored by scientists and leaders in the film and video industry after the training.

The videos will highlight key issues around agriculture and food and nutrition security in the Caribbean and the need to add value to locally produced foods, through the eyes of young people. They will serve as a mechanism for increasing the engagement of young professionals in addressing agricultural challenges through Science, Technology and Innovation and in encouraging the use of ICTs for raising awareness, improving communication on science and agriculture and educating the public on critical issues. The award-winning videos will be distributed to schools and aired on television stations throughout the region and internationally.

Persons who were interested in entering the competition were invited to attend the launch of the 2nd - Caribbean Science and Agriculture Film and Video Competition at the Guyana International Conference Centre (Room 3) on Thursday the 10th October 2013.

Send your video idea by 30th January, 2014.