THE Westmorland Gazette's family of websites is launching its first community video competition. The theme is Two Minutes in My Community - with community being defined in social, geographical or cultural terms. Winning entries will be posted on the Internet.

"We are very excited about this new medium being opened up to the public," said Web Editor Kate Whiteside.

"With the Cumbria Filmmakers Network, Canteen, part of the Northern Riviera Group in Barrow, and folly in Lancaster supporting this project, participants are going to have excellent access to information and opportunities."

Competition guidelines - judging criteria.

The video must: Capture a unique view' of your community'.

2 Have an inspiring perspective.

3 Have good visual and sound quality.

4 Be well edited.

5 Fit the guidelines.

6 Be produced according to industry regulations (health and safety, copyright, permissions).

Prizes: Winning entries will be published on a Westmorland Gazette web site.

They will also be shown at a film-viewing event in the region.

Winners will receive advice from an expert - chosen from the sponsors.

Key dates:

The deadline for entries is July 31.

Winners will be announced in early August.

Screening events will be announced in the autumn.

Competition sponsors

Cumbria Filmmakers Network (CFN) is a voluntary organisation founded in 2005 by Cumbria-based Jo Hutton, a filmmaker who was frustrated by the lack of a platform for Cumbrian filmmakers to screen their work. She launched the successful Short Film Nights as a forum for filmmakers to meet and share their work. The next CFN screening event is at Bar 99, Kendal on June 5.

For more details, log on to the web site at www.cumbriafilmmakers.co.uk.

A not-for-profit digital arts organisation, working in Lancashire, Cumbria and online, folly is committed to enabling new audiences to explore art through technology.

Specialists in the creative use of technology, folly's programme showcases excellence in web-based work, still and moving digital image, sound, animation and a range of new and emerging media such as GPS, RFID, moblogging' and more. Communicating with and working in partnership with a regional, national and international audience, folly develops and delivers content not only online but through a distributed programme of workshops, events, exhibitions, research and consultancy work.

Northern Riviera's Canteen Media and Arts Centre in Barrow is the region's newest multi-purpose venue facility. It hosts numerous events and houses a number of media organisations, including film companies. Since the building re-opened in 2005, featuring recording artists British Sea Power, this Barrovian icon has been brought back to life. The Canteen's café-bar has become a focal point for performers and artists alike. Northern Riviera is involved in a number of local and national film projects.

Anyone wanting to enter the video competition must first register their interest in an email to Kate Whiteside, Web Editor, at kate.whiteside@kendal.newquest.co.uk , including their name and contact details. Please also state if a training event would be helpful. Competition forms will be available on request from the Web Editor and online.

Competition sponsors links: http://www.cumbriafilmmakers.co.uk/
http://www.canteenmaac.co.uk/
http://www.northernriviera.co.uk
http://www.folly.co.uk/

Westmorland Gazette websites:http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.ukhttp://www.thelancasterandmorecambecitizen.co.ukhttp://www.thebarrowbrowser.co.uk .