U of M School of Public Health Invites Entries in Worldwide Public Service Announcement Contest

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (Jan. 28, 2008) -- The University of Minnesota School of Public Health is conducting its second annual “It’s Global” public service announcement (PSA) contest. School of Public Health (SPH) officials hope it will attract talented novice and seasoned filmmakers from across the country and beyond.

The contest will provide filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their original work while making a statement on global public health topics such as pollution, nutrition, refugee health, climate change, clean water, infectious disease, and preparing for natural disasters.

“Public health issues lend themselves to the engaging medium of film, and I’m eager to see what bold statements entrants make as a part of this contest,” said John R. Finnegan, Jr., dean of the School of Public Health.

Entrants will have the opportunity to test their talent as they describe a public health problem, identify a potential solution and present, via film media, a clear call to action. The entrants must be 30 seconds or less, without credits.

Select entries will be showcased on Monday, April 7, 2008, and a $500 prize will be awarded to the first-place entrant. All entries will be screened throughout National Public Health Week Film Festival, an SPH-sponsored event April 7 – 11 in Minneapolis.

To submit entries, send full-source digital video on DVCAM, MiniDV, or DVD-R to:

School of Public Health PSA Contest
2221 University Ave., S.E. Suite 350
Minneapolis, MN  55414

Applicants should not submit entries in DVD format. Electronic delivery arrangements may be made in cases where international shipping is cost-prohibitive.

For a complete list of the PSA contest rules and deadlines, visit:  www.sph.umn.edu/film or contact the School of Public Health via e-mail at: film@umn.edu

For more than 60 years, the University of Minnesota School of Public Health has been among the top accredited schools of public health in the nation.  With a mission focused on research, teaching, and service, the school attracts more than $75 million in sponsored research each year, has more than 100 faculty members and more than 1,200 students, and is engaged in community outreach activities locally, nationally and in dozens of countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.sph.umn.edu.

The Academic Health Center is home to the University of Minnesota’s six health professional schools and colleges as well as several health-related centers and institutes. Founded in 1851, the University is one of the oldest and largest land grant institutions in the country. The AHC prepares the new health professionals who improve the health of communities, discover and deliver new treatments and cures, and strengthen the health economy.

Contact: Diana Harvey, School of Public Health, 612-625-7134
Nichole Marthaler, School of Public Health, 612-626-9303