Filmmakers Invited to Submit Entries for BET’S Rap-It-Up/Black AIDS Short Subject Film Competition
BET (Black Entertainment Television, www.bet.com ),
the Black AIDS Institute ( www.blackaids.org/ ),
and the Kaiser Family Foundation ( www.kff.org/ )
have announced the 3rd Annual Rap-It-Up/Black AIDS Short
Subject Film Competition.
The competition provides a platform to creatively explore
issues around HIV/AIDS in African-American, Afro-Caribbean,
and Afro-Latin communities in the U.S., including stigma
and discrimination, black male sexuality, homophobia, and
perceptions of masculinity, femininity, and gender roles.
The competition seeks to encourage attention to fresh and
culturally unique storylines that encompass HIV/AIDS
issues within the black community, including bringing
attention to under-explored topics. The winner will
receive up to $25,000 to produce his or her winning short
film. The winning film will be shown on BET sometime
around World AIDS Day (December 1, 2006), and will also be
submitted for viewing at independent film festivals around
the world.
The RIU/BASS competition is open to all races and toni-
cities; however, submissions must address the issue of
HIV/AIDS and the black male. The film competition begins
February 7, 2006, and closes May 26, 2006. The early
submission deadline is May 2, 2006 ($55 entry fee); the
submission deadline is May 26, 2006 ($80 entry fee).
See the Black AIDS Institute Web site for additional
information.