New York – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) announced the launch of the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival 2019 edition inviting young people around the world to submit original and creative videos focusing on the pressing social issues of migration, diversity, social inclusion, and the prevention of xenophobia. 

In a world often characterized by intolerance and cultural divisions, PLURAL+ recognizes youth as powerful agents of social change and empowers them to share their creative vision with the world and foster respect for diversity. 

PLURAL+ video entries must be between one and five minutes and can be of any genre (animation, documentary, music video, comedy, etc.) if they convey constructive messages related to the themes of migration, diversity, social inclusion, and the prevention of xenophobia. The deadline to apply is Sunday, 16 June 2019 at midnight EST. 

“In today’s world, the creative work and voices of young people are more needed than ever,” said the High Representative for UNAOC Miguel Ángel Moratinos. “With PLURAL+, we provide young people with a global dissemination platform that empowers them to share important messages of tolerance, inclusion, and respect for diversity with the global community.” 

An International Jury will select one PLURAL+ Award winner in each of the three age categories (up to 12 years old; 13 to 17 years old; and 18 to 25 years old), and IOM and UNAOC will jointly select one video to receive the Special Award for the Prevention of Xenophobia. PLURAL+ partner organizations will also award a multitude of prizes and professional opportunities to several young filmmakers.  

PLURAL+ winners will be invited to New York all expenses paid to participate in the PLURAL+ Awards Ceremony in November 2019 and a series of side events providing opportunities for professional development, co-productions, and networking. 

“At a time when so many people are exposed to negative narratives about migration, it is heartening to see such display of solidarity and empathy,” said IOM Director General António Vitorino in his remarks at the PLURAL+ 10th anniversary and awards ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in November 2018. “It is the responsibility of each of us to present migration stories in ways that represent the reality and the human face of human mobility. The voices of our youth are the future and should be amplified,” he added.  

With increasing interest and participation over the years, PLURAL+ has become a premier global platform for youth media distribution. Since the launch of the festival in 2009, PLURAL+ winning videos have been selected among thousands of video entries from more than 100 countries. The winning videos have been screened and broadcast in dozens of festivals, movie theatres and television networks around the world, as well as in schools and global conferences, and they have received more than one million views online.  

To submit a video to PLURAL+, visit: https://pluralplus.unaoc.org/   

For more information please contact Rahma Gamil Soliman (IOM), Email: rsoliman@iom.int, or Thibault Chareton (UNAOC), Email: thibaultc@unops.org