To assist California schools in fulfilling the requirements mandated by the state’s Senate Bill 48, also known as the FAIR (Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful) Education Act, Global SchoolNet Foundation and Rainbow Advocacy have launched the OUR PRIDE Video Fest in which students can spark their creativity and depict the often untold historical stories and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community through digital media.
The State of California updated its guidelines in 2012 to include LGBTQ people and people with disabilities in history and social studies lessons. Students from middle school through college can submit short news stories, documentaries, creative fiction, music videos, animation, and public service announcements, following their research on significant LGBTQ+ people, places, and events. Students under 18 are required to collaborate with adult mentors, teachers, and parents. Submissions are due by March 1, 2019.
Submissions can range from 90 seconds to five minutes and must be submitted via the FilmFreeway online platform accessible at ourpride.org. FilmFreeway supports more than 6,000 of the world’s best film festivals and contests (including 47 Academy Award accredited festivals) and reaches more than 500,000 filmmakers and artists worldwide.
“The struggles and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community are components of the civil rights movement, yet many of these stories remain untold. This educational competition gives young people the opportunity to collaborate with others locally or around the world, and encourages them to produce their own original music, poetry, and creative content,” said OUR PRIDE Video Fest Co-Director Dr. Yvonne Marie Andrés, who also serves as CEO and co-founder of the San Diego-based educational nonprofit Global SchoolNet. “We want all students to become aware of LGBTQ+ history and to use their imaginations to present their findings in compelling ways.”
According to Andrés, OUR PRIDE Video Fest is modeled after the highly successful collaborative programs that Global SchoolNet has been producing for 25 years. The organization’s CyberFair and Doors to Diplomacy have engaged more than 5.5 million students—plus a myriad of schools, youth organizations, and communities—across 194 countries.
Some of the legendary figures in the LGBTQ+ community who are collaborating with the video fest include Stonewall veteran Miss Major Griffin-Gracy; Lynn “Faerie Rainbow” Segerblom, co-creator of the original Pride Rainbow Flag; and the Reverend Troy D. Perry, who in 1970 co-founded the world’s first Pride Parade and the organization Christopher Street West (now known as LA PRIDE) and in 1968 founded Metropolitan Community Churches, an international Christian denomination with an LGBTQ+ affirming ministry in 1968 with more than 200 church affiliations in 39 countries.
Submissions are judged by a panel of education and LGBTQ+ professionals. Winning entries will be announced in late May 2019 in Los Angeles, with screenings planned for June in New York City during the Stonewall 50th Anniversary World Pride and for July at Comic-Con in San Diego.
Winners will receive a variety of cash awards, prizes and commendations, including the Troy Perry Medal of Pride. Prizes include one-year licenses from sponsor WeVideo, the online video platform for individuals, schools and businesses for creating videos at up to 4K resolution.
OUR PRIDE Video Fest is a program of Global SchoolNet Foundation together with Los Angeles-based 501(c)3 Rainbow Advocacy and the LGBTQ+ Sector of Seattle-based 501(c)3 Charter for Compassion. Founding Sponsors include WeVideo and GayRealEstate.com.
For more information about the OUR PRIDE Video Fest or sponsorship opportunities, visit ourpride.org.
