Lake Oswego "Love My City" Video Contest Deadline July 14

LAKE OSWEGO, OR — Last call for filmmakers: The Lake Oswego "Love My City" video contest deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, July 14.

For a chance to win the $1,000 cash grand prize — or runner-up Visa gift card prizes valued at $500 and $100 for second and third place, respectively — submit a short video showcasing what makes Lake Oswego special to you. The contest is open to professional and amateur/student filmmakers of all ages, city officials said, noting the winning videos will be announced during a city council meeting either in August or September.

After nine years of offering an annual photo contest to highlight Lake Oswego's wonders, city officials opted to try something new this year, according to city spokeswoman Bonnie Hirshberger. (Sign up for our free daily newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Lake Oswego Patch)

"We have amazing parks, concerts, businesses — there are so many things," Hirshberger told Patch Monday. "This video contest is a way to try and promote all the city has to offer."

And though the photo contest also showed Lake Oswego's beauty, there's something about a video format that helps bring the city to life, which is why entrants beyond just the top three winners could see their videos shared on the city's official and social media websites, Hirshberger said.

The contest has been live since last December, Hirshberger said, noting the city wanted to give videographers the option of capturing multiple seasons in Lake Oswego; but even videos made this week will be accepted.

And the contest isn't just for adults or Lake Oswego residents, Hirshberger continued, adding that she fully expects to see student-submitted videos that could be used for a school project or videos from folks who just really appreciate Lake Oswego.

Essentially, she said, anyone with an eye for what makes the city great is welcomed to participate.

"You could love Lake Oswego without living here," she said.

Judges will be looking at each video's quality, creativity, and how well it captured the contest's theme, officials said.

Here's what prospective entrants need to know about the contest:

• All entries must be received by 5:00 p.m., Friday, July 14, 2017;
• Contestants do not have to live in Lake Oswego;
• Videos must be filmed in Lake Oswego and must have been taken within two years before the entry deadline;
• Videos must be between 2 and 4 minutes in length, including titles and credits;
• Videos must be submitted in a common format, for example: .mp4, .mpg, .wmv., etc.;
• Contestants may submit multiple videos, but only one prize is given per contestant;
• A completed and signed Entry Agreement must accompany each video submitted; (Entry Agreements by youth under 18 years of age must be signed by parent or guardian.)
• Videos will not be returned and may be displayed on the City’s website, shared through social media, shown at various City locations, and also be used for publicity and promotional purposes;
• The City of Lake Oswego, reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any entry that it believes violates any of the rules for this contest or is otherwise not consistent with the spirit and theme of the contest;
• The City of Lake Oswego reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the contest, or any part of it, without notice; and
• City employees are encouraged to submit a video, but will not be eligible for monetary prizes. However, they will be recognized in a separate category.

Videos can be submitted either online or via mail. Here's how:

• Online: Videos and Entry Agreements can be submitted online by clicking here; or
• Mail/In-Person: For contestants submitting an entry on a CD, please deliver the CD and signed Entry Agreement to:

Bonnie Hirshberger
City of Lake Oswego
380 A Avenue
PO Box 369
Lake Oswego, OR 97034

For more information, call Hirshberger at 503-675-3992, or email bhirshberger@lakeoswego.city.

Image: StockSnap via Pixabay.com