Farha Foundation Launches First 30-Second TV Spot Contest for CA MARCHE

Quebec youths now have a chance to give back to the HIV/AIDS community

MONTREAL, QUEBEC–(EMWNews – July 14, 2008) – Quebec’s leading AIDS fundraiser, the Farha Foundation, is looking to YouTube as a way of involving young adults in the public discourse on HIV/AIDS by hosting a 30-second web video contest. The ÇA MARCHE TV Spot Contest gives participants an opportunity to upload a 30-second TV spot promoting the Farha Foundation’s AIDS walk, ÇA MARCHE, on YouTube, with a chance of having their creation aired as a commercial on Quebec network television.

“It is really important to us that we reach out to those 15 to 29 years of age because they are a group at particular risk of exposure to HIV/AIDS,” said Nancy Farha, Interim Executive Director, Farha Foundation. “This contest gives youths the potential to not only have their work seen by millions, but to spread awareness among their peers.”

According to recent data published by the Public Health Agency of Canada, youth aged 15 to 29 account for nearly 27% of all recorded new HIV infections. While an increased likelihood of risky sexual behaviour and injection drug use was cited as a factor, the study also recognized awareness levels and misinformation as contributing to high infection rates.

The winner’s commercial spot will be aired courtesy of CTV and Astral Media, and the Farha Foundation expects stiff competition among contest entrants. Entries will be judged based upon their production value, creativity and originality.

The contest is open only to residents of Quebec aged 15-29. Entrants may begin posting TV commercials to YouTube as of midnight July 12, with a submission deadline of midnight July 25th. Five finalists will be chosen among all video submissions based on user voting. A judging panel comprised of Farha Foundation board members will select the winning TV commercial from among the five finalists.

To enter the contest or view submissions visit: http://www.youtube.com/group/CAMARCHEeng.

Full contest details can be found at www.farha.qc.ca/en/html/pop_marche.html.

About ÇA MARCHE

ÇA MARCHE is a 7 km fundraising and awareness walk held annually by the Farha Foundation since 1993. ÇA MARCHE is the single largest AIDS fundraising event in Quebec, and is the most important event for the Farha Foundation and its 48 partner organizations.

About the Farha Foundation

The Farha Foundation is Quebec’s leading AIDS fundraising organization, committed to help men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS. The events organized by the Farha Foundation also serve to sensitize the population to the AIDS epidemic. Since 1992, the Farha Foundation has distributed over $7.3 million to some 70 AIDS organizations throughout Quebec providing care and services (housing, medication, food, palliative care, counselling, homecare, etc.) as well as AIDS prevention and education programs.