iStockphoto today announced Future Now!, the first iStockvideo contest, which will run until April 30, 2007.

Videographers are encouraged to submit original videos between 30 seconds and three minutes long, centered on today’s high-tech lifestyles, offering a perspective on our futuristic, gadget-driven lives.

Judging of videos entered in the “Funny” or “Not Funny,” categories will be done initially by the community and then narrowed to second and first place winners by a panel of industry judges. Winners will be announced in mid-May.

Two first-place winners will each receive a Panasonic AG-HVX200 camera, an 8-GB P2 card, accessory packs including a Kata HDV Camcorder case, plus one year’s membership to Pixel Corps, a dvGarage Power Pak with $1,100 worth of dvGarage training and software, and a dvGarage’s Conduit for Final Cut Pro 5.1.2.

Second place winners will receive Sony’s DSR-PD170 DV cameras and Kata Shell Camcorder cases. The top 12 entries in each of the two categories as judged by the community will receive 50 iStockphoto site credits. A panel of industry judges will choose the winners.
Entries must use a mix of at least one of five free iStockvideo clips and 10 free stills combined with original footage. All free clips and images have been donated by iStock members for use in the contest, which is sponsored by Abel CineTech.
“We surveyed 18,000 iStockers before offering stock video. Nearly 29 percent said they purchase stock video monthly and close to another 12 percent purchase it weekly, proving to us that our million-plus members offered an eager customer base,” said Bruce Livingstone, founder and CEO of iStockphoto and iStockvideo. “Now, we hope to add to our 15,000 clip collection by attracting videographers looking for some great new equipment and a chance to profit as part of the world’s busiest imaging community.”

Contest Details

  • Contest participants do not have to be contributors but will have to register.
  • Members can submit unlimited entries in both categories but can only appear once on the two short lists combined. The most popular submissions will make the short list.
  • Member voting will determine the top 12 favorite entries in each category (the short list).
  • Industry judges will pick winners from the top 12 entries in each category.
  • Industry judges are Alex Lindsay, chief architect at Pixel Corps, Charles Fulton, associate editor of Videomaker Magazine and Alastair Upham, United Kingdom editor of Digital Video Magazine.
  • For complete contest details visit: www.istockphoto.com/futurenowcontest