Local contest combined with statewide PSA competition

Teen videographers have the opportunity to win up to $350 for their entries in Teen Film Festival 2011, with contests sponsored by North Idaho libraries and the Idaho Commission for Libraries.

Videos can be submitted by individuals or groups, but participants must be age 13-18. The videos are to be created based on the theme "You Are Here" to convey the idea of being part of a diverse country and/or world.

The Teen Film Festival has two categories and participants are welcome to submit videos in one or both categories, including

• Short Film: 3 to 5 minutes. Competitors can win prizes up to $100 and the right to display a traveling trophy at your local library. (If a video is produced by a group the prizes is divided among the group.)

• Public Service Announcement: 30 to 90 seconds. This category is part of a statewide effort sponsored by the Commission for Libraries to create a spot to promote summer reading with the "You Are Here" theme.

Winners will receive a cash prize up to $100 and a chance to be entered to when the state-level prize of $250.

The deadline to submit entries to the festival's YouTube site is Feb. 25. Entry forms, rules, and instructions for uploading videos are available at participating libraries and at libraryteenfilmfestival.blogspot.com.

Participating libraries include those of the Community Library Network - Athol, Harrison, Hayden, Pinehurst, Post Falls, Rathdrum, and Spirit Lake - and the Coeur d'Alene Public Library.

All qualifying videos will be screened and judged at a red carpet event at the Coeur d'Alene Library on March 5. Winners in the state wide PSA challenge will be announced in April.

Information: Nick Madsen, Young Adult Librarian, 208/772-5612 Ext. 120, nickm@cin.kcl.org