Contribution to promoting the culture of Latin America’s indigenous peoples

With the help of the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), the second version of the Anaconda Prize 2002 for Indigenous Video is now open for entries. The 2002 prize continuous the initiative aimed at deepening knowledge of the cultural values of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon, El Chaco and the tropical forests of Latin America and the Caribbean. The deadline for receiving the works is Friday April 15.

The CAF executive president, Enrique García, said that the second edition of the prize is a recognition of the ethnic plurality of Latin American peoples, which is a fundamental factor for the harmonious coexistence of our societies.

With the CAF, the prize is also being sponsored by the Regional Assistance Program for the Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon Basin, the Latin American Council of Cinema and Video of Indigenous Peoples, the Coordinating Committee of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin, the Regional Program for Training in Rural Development, with the cooperation of the Rigoberta Menchú Tum Foundation and the National Cinema Council of Bolivia.

The Anaconda Prize for Indigenous Video was created in 2000 with the participation of numerous works from seven countries. In the second version of the prize, prizes will be awarded for the best audiovisual production, best documentary, best fiction and best original screenplay with a special prize for the indigenous public. The Rigoberta Menchú Foundation will also award a special prize.

The winner of the best audiovisual production will receive US$2,500; the best documentary US$1,500; fiction prize US$1,500; original screenplay US$1,000 and the special prize US$1,000.

Participants must have made and/or produced videos on different facets of the history and current situation of the Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon Basin, El Chaco and the tropical forests.

The Anaconda prizes are awarded to people, institutions and/or organizations (indigenous and non-indigenous) involved in the field of audiovisual production which shows the values of indigenous peoples expressed in an outstanding work or original screenplay.

The entries will be evaluated by qualified local judges from four regions of the Bolivian Amazon and by an international jury. The prizewinning works will be shown on television.