Viral Video Competition ‘Unique Reasons to Visit Offaly’

Are you interested in film making, acting or producing? Do you upload films to the likes of YouTube or Facebook? If you have a home-camera or even a phone, or you think you could be the next Martin Scorsese then this competition could be for you. Offaly County Council in association with Midlands 103 is running a ‘Viral Video Project’ titled ‘Unique Reasons to Visit Offaly’. This is a competition open to families, groups and individuals of all ages. So what is a viral video?

A viral video is one that becomes popular through the process of Internet sharing, typically through video sharing websites and email i.e. Facebook, Bebo, Hotmail, YouTube etc. Viral videos often contain humorous content and includes comedy sketches.

This project is being promoted and supported by the Economic Development Office and the Arts Office of Offaly County Council in Association with Midlands 103. We are seeking amateur, professional and recreational film makers to compete in our Viral Video Project in Offaly. This is an exciting new initiative aimed at raising the profile of Offaly nationally and internationally through Social Media but also affording our creative community the opportunity to capture their Offaly on film.

Midlands 103 are fully supporting the project and will be highlighting the competition over the next few weeks through advertisements and a series of interviews with some of its show presenters.

Economic Development Officer David Minton said ‘social media provides us with an immense platform to market Offaly nationally and internationally. Offaly also boasts a wealth of people interested in film. This project is about marrying the two and providing the creative community the opportunity to portray their vision of Offaly’. He went on to say ‘we are also delighted that Midlands 103 has come on board to support the initiative and it reflects their willingness to support tourism in the region’.

Sinead O’Reilly, Arts Officer speaking about the project said ‘this is an innovative departure for a local authority and we look forward to seeing the creative and ingenious ideas that are out there’.

This is a social media competition and the winner will be selected by a point score made up of internet sharing and an independent judging panel. First prize will be a massive €1000. Our awards night will be hosted upstairs in Hugh Lynches Bar, Tullamore and special prizes will be awarded on the night for Offaly’s version of the Oscars.

Criteria for submission

• The film must be no longer than 2 minutes in length.
• The content of the viral must focus on ‘Unique reasons to visit Offaly’. However these reasons may be main stream activities, creative concepts or just fundamentally quirky.
• Videos must have an element of entertainment
• The videos must be primarily based outdoors but can contain narrative.
• Videos must be submitted in a format conducive to uploading on YouTube.
• Top ten videos will be selected for viewing at the official launch and awards night.
• Selected videos will be promoted through Film Offaly and relevant Tourism Websites.

Deadline for receipt of entry is April 28^th 2011. Offaly’s Oscars ceremony will be held on Friday the 20^th of May 2011.

Application and more information

If you would like an application or find out more information please log on to www.offaly.ie/viralvideo or contact Edel Boyd, Offaly County Council on 057 93 57457 or eboyd@offalycoco.ie