PRESS RELEASE:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and mtvU, MTV’s 24-hour college network, today announced the first-ever “Oscar Correspondent Contest,” giving college journalists nationwide the chance to head to Los Angeles to cover red carpet festivities and backstage celebrations at the 81st Academy Awards.
From January 8 through January 23, college students are invited to submit a video at http://oscars.mtvu.com, showcasing their broadcast journalism skills and proving why they deserve to cover the Oscars®. All videos submitted must be from a team made up of one anchor and one videographer. The Academy and mtvU will select the top ten videos to be posted online at mtvU.com, where students and other viewers can check out the coverage and vote for their favorite journalists from February 2 through February 11.
The three teams whose videos capture the most votes will advance to the final round of online voting from February 12 to February 20. All three teams will be flown to Los Angeles to cover Academy Awards pre-events, including the Animated Feature Symposium, Foreign Language Film Award Nominees Symposium and reception, the Makeup Artist and Hairstylist Symposium and the Governors Ball preview.
The Grand Prize team will be revealed on Friday, February 20, at an Academy press conference and awarded a spot on the red carpet for the 81st Academy Awards arrivals as well as credentials for access to backstage press rooms. The two finalist teams will receive bleacher seats along the red carpet and admission to an Oscar® viewing party.
For a complete list of rules and regulations for the “Oscar Correspondent Contest,” please visit http://oscars.mtvu.com.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2008 will be presented on Sunday, February 22, 2009, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.