A Runaway Success
Flash Movie Contest

How would you answer the following question: Why do global problems matter to Americans and what do you think America should do about them?

If you think that is a tough question – or even if you think it’s a piece of cake - imagine having to deliver your answer in the form of an animated web movie.

That is exactly what we asked young artists, students and activists to do this spring. And they did it with gusto! Our annual Citizens for Global Solutions Flash Movie Contest built on the foundation laid by the Harlan M. Smith Builders of a Better World Fund’s essay contest. It has become a runaway success, encouraging new audiences to think about global issues.

“We’re blazing our own trail with this project,” said Valerie Schrock, Director of Outreach and Advocacy. “We’re developing new outreach methods and using new technologies, while remaining true to our core purpose. We’re asking young people to look at issues such as poverty, climate change or war and present some real solutions. What we’re getting back from them is smart, edgy and ultimately hopeful. This is refreshing for people who are sick and tired of only hearing bad news about the world.”

This year’s contest marked a giant leap forward from last year’s inaugural event. The animation is more professional and the level of creativity within the diverse range of entries shows an encouraging conceptual originality among the designers. The messaging is more sophisticated and nuanced. This understanding of global issues challenges the status quo that youth are indifferent and uninterested about what is happening in the international arena.

The contest’s success proves how an innovative approach has enabled us to connect with groups not usually targeted. While the original essay contest was aimed primarily at students studying political science, or an associated discipline, flash is also able to target the animation and IT communities in challenging and dynamic ways. And the result proves that we met our goal – education through engagement.

While some finalists were aware of global issues, others had to start at the beginning. These movies are a testament to their research, subsequent understanding and passion for the issues our organization works on. More specifically, the entrants’ feedback is indicative of the interest and knowledge of this contest.

“Before going to the Global Solutions website for the first time, I felt that I was knowledgeable about global issues,” said Mark Hatjakes, a student at San Diego State University. “However, there was much that I didn’t know. Citizens for Global Solutions was the backbone to both my initial response to the issue as well as the research that was needed to write the script. Since submitting my movie, I have returned to the Global Solutions website to update myself on related current affairs and have made it part of my daily news gathering,” he added.

Talton Figgins, a Digital Media and Design student at Texas State Technical College said, “I had never even heard of Kyoto. Now it seems that when I hear something about the environment on the news I’m glued because I can see how it affects the world in all aspects of life.”

The winners – a group of students from Mexico between 11 and 14 years-old – presented the most exciting story of the contest. They created a masterful animation about the environment and showed that with a sustained and systematic approach, damage caused by human pollution can be reversed if we act now. Their movie is fast paced and complemented by a punk version of the Louis Armstrong classic, “What a Wonderful World.”

“Before the contest we already had knowledge of global issues from our U.N. class,” said 14 year-old Mauricio Garza Diaz, “though the contest made us conscious about how much our world is affected today and it also inspired us to think of possible actions to improve the world.”

The ability of this contest to connect to people from around the world is reflected by an astounding level of international participation. It showed how cutting edge advocacy techniques successfully engage youth both locally and globally. The movies came from 15 countries across five continents – including the U.S., Mexico, Australia, Colombia, Great Britain and Nigeria. They covered issues in a poignant and sophisticated manner, such as the environment, genocide and human trafficking.

The contest had more than 9,000 participants, compared to 3,000 last year. The early stages saw a rapid number of registrants, overtaking last year’s total within the first month. In all, more than 300 flash movies were submitted.

The Flash Contest has not only bolstered the aspirations and ideals of youth worldwide, but also illustrated a passion and improved knowledge base among a young demographic that we may otherwise not have connected with. This is an encouraging revelation that flies in the face of the cynical perception that youth are tuned out on global issues. And since young people are the hope for the future, this form of education helps pave the way for sustained grassroots change at the global and local level.

Contributing Writer: Tom Moran


Updated June 30, 2006