Now that one of the most remarkable primaries in our nation's history has concluded, attention is turning to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. In less than three months, the Mile High City and the Rocky Mountain West will host this historic event for the first time since 1908.
The Convention also coincides with Denver's 150th birthday - a
century-and-a-half of progress and innovation since its birth at the height of the Colorado gold rush. A hub of opportunity for people seeking new frontiers, people come to Colorado seeking much more than gold these days. The spirit of visionary zeal and limitless possibility is as strong as ever in the New West. So it's fitting that as the Democratic Party marches toward its own new frontier, it will do so through Denver.
A message to all of you in Virginia: you don't have to be in Denver - or on the Convention floor - to get in on the action though. The Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee has organized two interactive ways for people anywhere in America to get involved. We're convening a national conversation about democracy and community and invite everyone to participate.
The Cinemocracy short film competition encourages anyone and everyone to submit short films about what democracy means to them. You can submit films - as well as view and judge the entries - online at www.cinemocracy.org. The top 25 videos, as determined through public online voting, will be screened publicly during Convention week and the winning film will be featured at the 31st Starz Denver Film Festival.
America: Live and In Person is a like a multi-media open mic night, inviting people to share personal stories of what America means to them through art, dance, music, drama, writing, technology, service projects and more. Submissions will be viewable online for the public to enjoy and judge...and winning entries will be part of an exhibit at the Convention that will also travel through the Rocky Mountain West.
Both America: Live & In Person and Cinemocracy present innovative and interactive ways to participate in the Convention festivities...as a contributor or a spectator. We encourage people throughout America to contribute their voices and creativity to this national conversation.
Just remember: entries for both Cinemocracy and America: Live and In Person are
due by July 15, 2008, so please - get those cameras and keyboards rolling.