Imax Newsweek & The Daily Beast have announced The Imax Award which recognizes up-and-coming filmmakers whose entries best capture the theme of exploration. The contest will commemorate the publication of Newsweek's Explorer Issue on sale January 6 and celebrate Imax's 40-year legacy of creating inspiring documentary films that explore the wonders of the universe. The winning filmmaker will receive a prize valued at $25 000 to be awarded in the form of a scholarship or cash for film-production related expenses. Participants may visit The Imax Award website at http://vimeo.com/groups/imaxaward to complete an online registration form. Entrants should upload a one-to-two-minute video entry to the award site by 11:59 p.m. ET November 30. Video entries should be shot in a documentary style and focused on the theme of exploration with the goal of transporting audiences to a place they've previously only dreamed of going. Submissions will be judged on how closely they align with the theme of exploration as well as: film technique – the use of lighting sound and cinematography; originality – using film techniques in a creative fashion to take the audience on a unique journey; social resonance – receiving the largest number of votes and positive comments on the Awards site. The top 10 finalists will be selected by a panel of judges beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET on December 3 and ending at 5:00 p.m. ET on December 7. Each finalist's video entry will be posted on the Award site from 9:00 a.m. ET on December 10 through 9:00 a.m. ET on December 21 and will be subject to voting by site visitors who will assist the judges in selecting the grand prize winner. Full Imax Award contest rules can be found at: www.thedailybeast.com/sponsored/2012/10/imax-awards-contest-rules.html In addition to the grand prize valued at $25 000 The Imax Award winner will also have his or her video entry premiered at an Explorer event taking place in January 2013.
