AMD Alliance International organizes video contest to raise awareness

Toronto-AMD Alliance International is hosting a video contest to raise awareness for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Individuals are invited to create and submit videos of no longer than 3 minutes that will communicate in the most creative and visually interesting ways the impact of AMD. Videos must be created in English or with English subtitles.

“The video submissions will dramatize the societal, psychological, and physiological effects of AMD,” said Wanda Hamilton, chief executive officer (CEO) of AMD Alliance International. “Our goal is that after viewing the videos, which will be judged on their creativity, people will be motivated to get regular eye exams. Early detection can help save sight. ”

Videos will be judged on originality, creativity, effectiveness, production quality, and YouTube hits. Three winners will be selected. From the three finalists, a grand prize winner will be awarded $10,000. Second place will receive $2,000 and third place will receive $1,000.

The contest is open until Feb. 28, 2010. Winners will be announced March 31, 2010.

The contest will be judged by a panel of experts including Doug Metzger, producer, director; Bill Kunkel, president and CEO, Two Horns Entertainment Group; and John Wilder Hollywood producer, screenplay writer.

AMD is the leading cause of blindness in people aged 50 years and older and affects 25 to 30 million people in the Western world. The risks and strategies to prevent or slow its advance are little known and understood by most people. AMD is also often a cause of clinical depression and has a severe impact on quality of life for those who are diagnosed.

For further details about the contest including rules, visit www.AMDAlliance.org/.