Calling All Film Students: Sony Electronics Launches Innovative Contest for Filmmakers

'Behind the Lens' Competition Lets Students Flex their Creativity and Showcase their Digital Storytelling Abilities

Open for Submissions March 1

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Feb 28, 2011, 09:46 ET

PARK RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Electronics is giving the next generation of filmmakers a chance to get their hands on the next generation of digital production technology. The "Behind the Lens" film student contest (www.Sony.com/behindthelens) challenges students in the United States to film a series of short, three minute digital stories.

The contest will consist of three rounds, with each round including a public voting period and judge's panel to determine semi-finalists, finalists, and winner.

The grand prize for both the winning student, and his or her school: Sony's new PMW-F3 handheld digital 35mm camcorder.

"Film students today are producing incredibly creative and unique stories," said Shari Sentlowitz, marketing manager, education, for Sony Electronics. "As they prepare for their careers in the digital media world, it's critical that they have access to the state-of-the-art in production technology, the very same gear that they'll be working on in a professional environment. That's the essential concept for this contest: merge their creative visions with that technology. Sony has long been committed to preparing the next generation of filmmakers, and we're proud to be taking the latest step in giving students real-life, hands-on digital production experience."

The Behind the Lens contest is open for submissions as of March 1 through March 15. For round 1, students can submit a video (up to 3 minutes in length) based on any topic or theme, and the content can be produced on any format of HD camera. The public can view and vote for their favorite videos from March 21 to 28. Then, using the public vote for the top videos, a panel of industry judges will announce 10 'Behind the Lens' semifinalists on April 14.

Students who advance to the second (semi-finalist) round will be loaned Sony PMW-EX3 cameras to shoot the next series of shorts, and finalists (third round) will be loaned the PMW-F3 to use for their final submission. The second and third rounds will also have a theme for the digital submissions: "curiosity" and "journey," respectively.

The public and the panel of judges will vote on their favorite videos in each round, with the grand prize winner to be named on June 1, 2011.

For complete information on the contest, including submission requirements and specific timelines and requirements for each round, please visit www.Sony.com/behindthelens.

Contestants and fans can promote their favorite content using #SonyBehindtheLens on Twitter. For more information, contest rules and updates and to follow Sony Professional Solutions of America, click the following links: