APA launches online video competition in commemoration of Indigenous Heritage Month 2020

The Amerindian Peoples Association will be hosting an online film competition which seeks to bring recognition to the young, vibrant and upcoming film makers of the indigenous communities across Guyana.

Those who are interested will be required to highlight/ showcase the resilience of Indigenous Peoples during the COVID-19 pandemic and the APA intends to use the videos from the competition as COVID-19 Awareness material for Indigenous communities challenged by the ongoing pandemic.
Interested applicants will be required to submit general information on the celebrations of Amerindian Heritage Month.

The pandemic has pushed the Indigenous people to find alternative solutions to the daily challenges within their various communities. Therefore, the video competition would allow APA not only to share how COVID-19 has impacted Indigenous peoples but to also show how resilient they have been during the pandemic.

Persons who wish to submit a piece can visit the APA Facebook page for additional information; submissions will end on September 25, to encourage participation in the competition, cash prizes for first to third place will be made available. $20,000 first prize, $15,000 second prize and $10,000 third prize.

Additional prizes will also be available for the best submission made by a female, and youngest participant of the competition as well as the people’s choice award for the video with the most Facebook likes. These prizes would be $5,000 each.

Judging will be done by a panel at the end of the submission period and the winners will be announced on September 30.

How this Activity will take place:

• The video competition would focus on the theme, “Indigenous Peoples: Resilience that inspires” in keeping with the theme for this year’s observance of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and effects of COVID-19 on Indigenous Peoples.
• Participants will be required to submit a two to three minute video showing the resilience of Indigenous peoples in combating the virus and safeguarding themselves or their communities. For example, the use of proven traditional medicines in strengthening immune systems; awareness efforts undertaken in communities; volunteerism; the efforts of village councils in safeguarding communities; increased farming; gatekeeping, learning from home; safeguarding our elders.
• All entrants will be instructed via published guidelines to ensure that they have the relevant permission from all parties involved to film all activities featured in the video for this competition.
• The competition will target amateur, Indigenous filmmakers/ videographers residing in Guyana
  · Apart from English, entrants will be encouraged to also submit videos in indigenous languages but must include English subtitles where possible.
  · The entrants will be informed that their videos will become the property of the APA upon submission and will be used by the organisation for awareness purposes.
  · Videos that have been selected by the panel will be used as COVID-19 awareness resources in Indigenous communities facing challenges associated with the pandemic.