Get paid for your creativity! The Pacific Media Institute in the Marshall Islands is hosting a video competition under the theme “My Pacific Story.” The competition offers cash prizes for the four winning submissions and entry is completely free. Students, filmmakers and the general public are highly encouraged to partake in the competition. Videos are to be between  three to 10 minutes in length. Participants can use cellphones or other videography tools to tell their stories. 

Deadline for submission is April 18 next month. The following are the winning criteria: 

1. How narrative, language, editing, setting and characters convey a Pacific Story. 

2. Use of sound effects, filming techniques, and music to enhance the story.

3. Effective visual and auditory storytelling to immerse viewers in the Pacific Story

4. The approach to the Pacific Story demonstrated excellent creativity.

The Media Freedom Award will honor the film that best communicates the importance of media freedom in the Pacific region.

The first place winner will receive $1,500, second place goes for $1,000 while third gets $750. A special Media Freedom Award goes for $1,000 and will be given to the film that best highlights the importance of media freedom in the Pacific Island region.

The film competition will showcase 20 selected entries and announce the winners during the World Press Freedom Day in the first week of May.

Pacific Islanders living in the islands and abroad are encouraged to participate in the competition. Also, indigenous Pacific Island languages are encouraged (with English subtitles), but films in English are also acceptable. Filmmakers should create their own stories and do their own work and not use AI.

Submission Instructions: Submit your film as a .MOV file via:

1) WeTransfer to pmifilmfest@gmail.com  (free for files under 2 GB).

2) Send a DROPBOX link by emailing pmifilmfest@gmail.com (larger files)

In partnership with Republic of China (Taiwan) and the rest of our co-sponsors:  

Microwave Films, University of the South Pacific Marshall Islands Campus, Six9Too Productions, the Marshall Islands Journal and Corrieography.

For more information, contact PMI through their Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093981384572