Democracy Video Challenge

April 26, 2009

Ambassador with Democracy Video Challenge participants

On Sunday, April 26th, the nine Malian films for the Democracy Video Challenge were publically screened at the French Cultural Center as part of their 3 – day short film festival.  It was a fitting coincidence that the awards ceremony was the date of Mali’s participation in the democratic process—the communal elections .  The Democracy Video Challenge was launched by the Dept of State with numerous partners to engage young people in a global conversation on the meaning of Democracy.  To enter, contestants were asked to complete the phrase “Democracy is…” by making a film of no more than 3 minutes and uploading it to YOU TUBE.  With 9 submissions, Mali tied with Zambia for the most submissions in Africa.  Three finalists from each country are submitted to the world wide contest in Washington and the three Malian winners were announced at Sunday’s ceremony.  The films of the winners (Moustapha Diallo, 1st prize; Oumar Niguizie Sinenta, 2nd prize; and Fatoumata Diallo, 3rd prize) will be send forward to global competition.  Seven worldwide winners will win free trips to the US, media interviews, and screenings in New York, Hollywood, and Washington, DC.   We congratulate our winners and wish them good luck!