Avon Mexico and Expresion en Corto Announce Fourth Annual Short Film Competition to Raise Awareness of Domestic Violence

Avon Speaks Out Against Domestic Violence at the Cannes International Film Festival

NEW YORK, May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At the 63rd Cannes International Film Festival, Avon Mexico and Expresion en Corto International Film Festival announced the fourth annual Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Short Film Competition. The international competition, first launched in Mexico in 2007 as a joint project of Avon Mexico and Expresion en Corto, invites filmmakers to submit short films to raise awareness of the issue of domestic violence, with the goal of eradicating domestic violence worldwide.

The competition is part of Avon's Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program that provides funding to domestic violence organizations for awareness, education, prevention programs and direct services for victims. Since the Speak Out program's launch in 2004, Avon global philanthropy has committed more than $16 million to end violence against women.

The deadline for film submissions to the 2010 competition is October 1, 2010. An awards ceremony announcing the winners will take place in Mexico City in late November. The three best films will receive cash prizes totaling $100,000.00 pesos.

"Statistics show that it takes an average of seven years for woman trapped in a violent situation to fully come to terms with her predicament and seek help," said Avon Mexico Director of Communications and Public Relations, Jose Antonio Armas. "Through the Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Short Film Competition, Avon aims to unveil a harsh reality affecting one of every three women who has been beaten, sexually assaulted or emotionally abused during her lifetime. We are hoping to raise awareness about this tragic situation, among both young and old, through one of the most powerful and persuasive means of communication: the movies."

Sarah Hoch, executive director of Expresion en Corto International Film Festival, said: "Expresion en Corto joins Avon in its crusade to end domestic violence. We are pleased to invite filmmakers from all over the world to participate in this competition and to contribute their talent to reveal the truth of a worldwide problem. Last year we doubled the number of participants (209 films received) from the previous year's competition; this time we are expecting more!"

The competition's 2009 winners included first place winner, Leaving, by directors Richard Penfold and Sam Hearn (United Kingdom); second place winner, the Spanish film Ponys, directed by David Planell; and third place winner, The Finding, by Mexican director Alonso Alvarez Barreda. Rafael Amaya, Producer of The Finding said: "This project has made a great impact in my life and in my career as a filmmaker; domestic violence is a social illness that affects us all and, as artists, we should be committed to raise awareness through our work to help eradicate it."

"Avon reasserts once more its social commitment to improve the lives of women around the world by empowering them in every aspect of their lives," added Armas. Said Hoch, "The filmmakers' participation in this effort has been invaluable, since they have spoken out and projected their vision to help eradicate this social issue, making visible what was invisible." For additional information on the Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Short Film Competition and to register, visit: www.avon.com.mx or www.expresionencorto.com

AVON, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with more than $10 billion in annual revenue. As the world's largest direct seller, Avon markets to women in more than 100 countries through approximately 6.2 million active independent Avon Sales Representatives. Through 2009, Avon global philanthropy has donated more than $725 million in more than 50 countries for causes most important to women, and today prioritizes support for breast cancer research and access to care and to end domestic and gender violence.

Avon launched Speak Out Against Domestic Violence in 2004 to provide funding to domestic violence organizations for awareness, education, prevention programs and direct services for victims. In an effort to end the cycle of family violence, it has emphasized support for programs directed at children who witness or experience violence in their homes. Avon has current efforts in more than 50 countries to raise funds for this cause through product sales and to raise awareness through the dissemination of information by Avon Representatives. Avon global philanthropy has committed more than $16 million to end violence against women, including more than $8 million coming from the global sales of Avon Empowerment products.

Learn more about Avon http://www.avoncompany.com/.

ABOUT the Short Expression International Film Festival: Short Expression is the largest competitive film festival in Mexico and the most prestigious in this genre in Latin America. A not-for-profit festival, it has been taking place since 1997, during the last week of July, in the colonial cities San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato, Mexico. The festival charges no admission fee, has an audience of close to 72,000 people, and receives more than 2,000 submissions from 85 participating countries in its international competition. The festival is comprised of a variety of movies, lectures, workshops, tributes and activities at no charge to the visiting public. This year Short Expression will take place from the July 24 to 28 at San Miguel de Allende and from July 29 to August 2 at Guanajuato, Guanajuato, and Mexico.

SOURCE Avon Products, Inc.