Yared Shumete Declared African Winner of the “2010 Democracy Video Challenge” Award
Yared Shumete, editor of the popular Ethiopian movie “Siryet”, has been declared winner of the short-film award for Africa in the “2010 Global Democracy Video” competition
Yared Shumete, editor of the popular Ethiopian movie “Siryet”, has been declared winner of the short-film award for Africa in the “2010 Global Democracy Video” competition.
Yared told Addis Neger that he received the congratulatory message from competition organizers on Monday, June 21. Yared was chosen among 30 Ethiopian filmmakers on March 31, 2010, and became one of three Ethiopian semi-finalists to represent Ethiopia in the continental competition. Yared was then selected as one of three competitors, alongside filmmakers from South Africa and Burundi, to represent Africa in the international challenge.
According to the competition website, there was to be a total of six international finalists. The last competition was held in mid-June in Washington DC. On June 21, the website announced the winners of the challenge. Yared’s name not only appeared, but also was first on the list. “I did not expect to be the first, but I am glad to win the award,” stated Yared.
Yared’s short film, “Democracy Is Fair Play” runs only slightly over one and a half minutes. The film depicts the well-known traditional Ethiopian children’s game (known as both Memch and Ezizilosh) in which the competitor carries the winning player. According to Yared, the film conveys the message that “even if you are not on top, you are still in the game”.
American Ambassador to Ethiopia Donald Booth extended his congratulations in a ceremony organized by the US Embassy in Addis Ababa to honor the filmmaker and Ethiopia’s thriving film industry. “Through evocative images of a popular Ethiopian children’s game, Yared’s film has resonated with global audiences on the importance of fair play, good sportsmanship and respect for one’s opponent in democracy,” said Booth, in a press statement. He further noted the important role that the Ethiopian media has played in garner publicity for the short film
The six Grand Finalists will be awarded an all-expense-paid, 10-day trip to Washington D.C., New York and Hollywood. In addition, a gala screening of the winning videos will be held in each location. The finalists will gain exposure to the US film and television industry and will also have the opportunity to meet with democracy advocates from the government, media and civil society.
The six finalists come from Ethiopia, Indonesia, Spain, Iran, Nepal and Colombia. Yared is co-founder of “Alatinos Filmmakers Association”, which began in 2004, and currently serves as president of the association. Alatinos conducts weekly training sessions and discussion programs focused on improving filmmaking conditions in Ethiopia.
Congratulations!!!! Proud of YOU!!!
CONGRATULATION! DEAR ETHIOPIAN!THANKS GOD TRY TO DO MORE FOR UR MOTHER LAND
I voted for him and I’m glad that he won. A very short but straight to the point method of conveying the idea of democracy : Accepting the rule of the game.
Note that this can only work, as the game itself, if and only if both participants accept the rule.
Congrat bro. A good lesson to the political game players of our contry.
You really deserve the accolade, as you had an amazing insightful idea to create this video. Congrats!!!
Yardo….I am glad i voted for you many times. Keep up the good work.
I liked your style
congratulation bro i was really v much happy to hear this thing cos ethiopia is not good at practical democracy but we have the idea thnks to GOD one day we’ll applay the mutall and love based democracy here in our mother land yared go ahead
@ last i m v much happy to read u r comment on it pls donot stop writting
Congrats Yared
O yared great congratulation i am glad for you yared go ahead.