CIDI Launches 'PSAid: Public Service Announcements for International Disasters,' 2nd Annual Film Contest

    ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Center for
 International Disaster Information (CIDI) is announcing its call for
 entries for its second annual public service announcement (PSA) contest,
 PSAid: Public Service Announcements for International Disasters. This
 national competition challenges U.S.-based students to create an
 educational 30-second television PSA that will raise awareness and rally
 support for correct response to international disaster relief efforts.
     "We're thrilled to announce the launch of PSAid and I encourage all
 students to enter and take advantage of this unique opportunity to showcase
 their creative abilities," said Suzanne Brooks, director of CIDI, who with
 more than 20 years experience in disaster assistance founded the
 organization in 1988. "It is our hope that this year's contest will produce
 a compelling PSA that tells our story in a fresh and imaginative way, and
 that will effectively help us educate Americans about why cash is the best
 form of international disaster relief."
     PSAid asks students enrolled in a US-based college or university,
 including international students studying at US-based programs, to create a
 30 second broadcast television PSA about CIDI to inspire and motivate the
 general public to support U.S. organized international disaster relief
 campaigns and encourage them to respond properly by giving cash donations
 to international disaster relief efforts.
     The first-place winner will receive $12,000 cash, have his or her PSA
 nationally distributed to major television networks and cable channels, and
 otherwise earn national attention through contest promotions. The second-
 and third-place winners will receive $5,000 and $3,000 in cash,
 respectively.
     Students are asked to submit their entries digitally at www.psaid.org.
 This interactive website not only provides students with helpful production
 tools such as logos, stock images, common myths and FAQs, but will also
 allow them to participate in the selection process by blogging about
 entries, posting submissions to their social network pages such as MySpace
 and Facebook, and ultimately voting on their top choices.
     All entries will first be judged by a panel of professionals who will
 select five finalists. The five final entries will then be available in
 mid- April for viewing, voting and downloading on CIDI's web site at
 www.psaid.org. The general public will have one week to vote (counting 20
 percent towards toward the entries total points). General public votes will
 be combined with the panel of professionals (80 percent of the total
 points) and a winner will be announced nationally on or around April 23,
 2007.
     This year's panel of judges includes:
 
     * Suzanne Brooks, Founder and Director of CIDI
     * Tony Stitt, USAID
     * Nazik M. Salih, USAID
     * Joseph A. Fredericks, USAID
     * Ben Mankiewicz, Host of Turner Classic Movies
     * Professor Chris Palmer, Emmy-award winning film producer
     * Evan McNary, 2006 Contest Winner
     Each year, thousands of people across the globe are affected by
 international disasters. In the past two years alone, the world has
 witnessed the great tsunami in Asia, earthquakes in Pakistan and Indonesia,
 mudslides in the Philippines, toxic dumping in Cote D'Ivoire, increased
 violence in the Middle East, and devastating hurricanes throughout the
 Caribbean, all claiming thousands of lives and forcing millions to flee
 their homes.
     "As we face more impending disasters, what better way to help those
 around the world and educate the public about how best to help than
 enlisting our nation's youth?" asked Brooks.
     For a complete set of contest rules and regulations, as well as other
 contest information or to submit a PSA, please visit www.psaid.org.
     CIDI is based in Arlington, VA, and was created in 1988. CIDI provides
 individuals, groups, embassies and corporations with information and
 guidance in support of appropriate international disaster relief efforts.
 The organization works with a variety of partners to channel the public's
 energy and desire to help to achieve maximum impact. By reaching out to the
 American public and the private sector, CIDI helps to promote activities
 and donations that will do the most good for disaster victims around the
 world.
 
 

SOURCE Center for International Disaster Information