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Despite US and international law prohibiting the use of torturethe US has used torture, often euphemistically called “enhanced interrogation techniques,” in its so-called “War on Terror”. Despite the law, despite documented proof that such efforts produce inadmissable evidence, false information and false confessions, and despite the blowback of such efforts, the US continues to shield the lawbreakers--both those who committed and those who authorized torture--by “Looking forward, not backward,” and there is evidence that such techniques continue to be used and falsely justified.
Extended solitary confinement is recognized as torture. It is used extensively in U.S. prisons. For more about the connection between the U.S. prison-industrial complex and torture read this short article by T3 member, Sara Olson.
Through TV shows like “24” and Hollywood films like the commercially successful “Zero Dark Thirty” and the new documentary “Manhunt” the US’s use of torture is presented as viable, and even necessary to our country’s security. Unfortunately, a majority of the under-informed and misinformed public now thinks that torture is necessary and useful.
Tackling Torture at the Top, through this contest, hopes to produce entertaining and informative videos that contradict this harmful and inhumane view, educate the public, raise questions about the direction of our foreign policy and our use of the military, and by so doing, give the public the awareness and courage to rein in our country’s out of control security apparatus.
Contest is open to both amateur and professional videographers of all ages and from any country.
The language of the contest is English. Videos in other languages must have subtitles or be dubbed in English (if necessary).
Videos must be between 30 sec to 5 min in length. NOTE: No preference is given to longer or shorter videos.
Videos must be original content
All videos must be in mp4 format, at 480 or 720 dpi only.
Send videos through WETRANSFER.COM (https://www.wetransfer.com/) website to tacklingtorturevideo@fastmail.fm Be sure to include IN THE MESSAGE AREA: 1. YOUR NAME, 2. YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, 3. YOUR CITY/STATE/COUNTRY, 4. TITLE OF VIDEO. Any submissions without these FOUR pieces of information will not be considered.
Finalists will be required to submit short bios and optional photos of themselves for publicity purposes. Winners will be required to submit contact info to allow receipt of their prizes.
Submit your video to one of two categories: Serious or Satirical/Parody
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS is MARCH 1, 2015
Finalists announced March 8, 2015--up to twenty (10 in each category) . Preliminary selection made by members of Tackling Torture and the Top and WAMM
Audience Voting will begin on March 8, 2015. NOTE: contestants are urged to have their friends and associates vote for their videos.
JUDGING AND AUDIENCE VOTING COMPLETION DATE IS MARCH 31, 2015.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS IS APRIL 10, 2015.GALA PRESENTATION OF ALL FINALISTS AND PRESENTATION OF PRIZES IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, DATE AND PLACE TBA (SOON AFTER ANNOUNCEMENT.)
All video creators will be invited to post their entries at T3's youtube channel following the contest.
Videos will be judged on:
Clarity of message
Usefulness for informing the public of the various issues surrounding the US's use of torture, including the US's lack of pursuit of accountability for authorizing torture or committing torture, negative effects of its use including blowback and the immorality and unethicalness of its use.
Creativity
Craftsmanship
Entertainment value
NOTE: no preference will be given to any particular length of video
Judging:
First (Elimination) Round:
FIRST (Elimination) ROUND: This will be judged by members of T3 and other members of WAMM. This round will reduce the number of contestants to 10 videos in each of the two categories (20 finalists total). Elimination-round judges reserve the right to eliminate videos that are deemed offensive regarding race, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation. We will favor videos that parents of teenagers may be comfortable allowing their children to view (generally "PG-13").
Second Round: Jury Prize
JURY PRIZES: A jury of film professionals and experts on the use of torture will determine the Jury Prize winners. Jury members will not know the status of the Audience Prize voting.
Joseph Jolton (also 2015), Minneapolis-based filmmaker and teacher, Minneapolis College of Art and Design,
Peter Kuznick, writer of the screenplay for Oliver Stone's America is Professor of History at American University, Washington, DC
Alfred W. McCoy, the author of “A Question of Torture” and “Torture and Impunity” is J.R.W. Smail Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
AUDIENCE FAVORITE VOTING: The 20 videos will be posted at this site (embedded from youtube) for viewing and general voting for the Audience Prizes. Anyone can vote for the Audience Prize. Each voter can choose 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices and the tallying will follow the rules of "Instant Run-off Voting". Finalists are encouraged to get the word out and solicit votes!
