Voting is now open for Your Film Festival, the global competition that unites the Venice Film Festival, Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions, Emirates and YouTube’s community of film fans, in a quest to discover the next great storyteller.
The Scott Free team selected 50 semi-finalists from more than 15,000 short films submitted by creators worldwide. Now, it’s up to you, the fans, to vote for your favorites, and ultimately send 10 finalists to the Venice Film Festival.
At Venice, these 10 filmmakers will have their work screened as part of the opening days of the festival and judged by a grand prize jury of industry professionals, including Ridley Scott and actor Michael Fassbender. (Not familiar with either? Watch this trailer for the summer’s blockbuster film Prometheus now). The finalists will then pitch their next film project to the Ridley Scott team, all for the chance to win a $500,000 production grant to work with Ridley Scott’s award-winning team to create a new original work for YouTube.
So what are you waiting for? Vote for your favorite films on the Your Film Festival channel, and be part of the largest online film festival ever. Voting ends July 13, so cast your votes now!
Susan Agliata, program producer, recently watched “Speed of Light / aka / The World's Tiniest Police Chase.”
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Music Tuesday: Grace Potter, Fresh Faces and POP ETC
Bonnaroo swarmed over YouTube this past weekend, with two channels piping constant music starting last Friday morning. Every time we tuned in, we found something amazing happening: whether it was Battles doing an extended version of “Africastle” or Kenny Rogers sitting in with Phish. If you missed it, we’ve got the highlights. But if you still haven’t had your fill of live music, tune into youtube.com/presents this Wednesday at 1 p.m. PT to watch Swedish pop’s latest stealth missile, Niki & The Dove, perform live. And now, onto this week’s offerings on youtube.com/music.
Grace Potter Picks The Hits
She’s a rough and tumble singer who’s garnered comparisons to Janis Joplin and Grace Slick -- but when she gets going, we tend to hear shades of Heart and Bonnie Raitt in Grace Potter’s smoky voice. She’s been with the Nocturnals for a decade, and in the past few years they’ve finally found a broader audience -- thanks in part to Potter’s guest spot on Kenny Chesney’s “You and Tequila” and mostly to a growing hunger for blues rock. As the band releases their new album, The Lion the Beast the Beat, she tours us through her favorite videos. And we gotta say, we love her eclectic taste -- this lady rocks out to everything from Sharon Jones to the Beastie Boys. We’re not surprised.
Fresh Faces: June
Our wee website is brimming with undiscovered talent, and every so often we feel the need to find it and salute it. This month, we discovered five female singer-songwriters who knocked our socks off. Not surprisingly, they’re a global group, hailing from as far afield as England, Nigeria, Chile, Slovenia and Seattle. But despite their geographic spread, they’ve got a few things in common: they all play the guitar, they all pen original songs, and they all have a knack for melody that you can’t fake. Here’s to the up-and-coming generation.
POP ETC
And last but not least, POP ETC, formerly known as the Morning Benders, are releasing a new album today, fresh on the heels of a name change. The change seems to have freed the band up creatively, but their commitment to dreamily cathartic songcraft is still there -- in spades. Find out what other music makes the band swoon today.
Sarah Bardeen, music community manager, recently watched “Shawn Colvin - All Fall Down.”
Grace Potter Picks The Hits
She’s a rough and tumble singer who’s garnered comparisons to Janis Joplin and Grace Slick -- but when she gets going, we tend to hear shades of Heart and Bonnie Raitt in Grace Potter’s smoky voice. She’s been with the Nocturnals for a decade, and in the past few years they’ve finally found a broader audience -- thanks in part to Potter’s guest spot on Kenny Chesney’s “You and Tequila” and mostly to a growing hunger for blues rock. As the band releases their new album, The Lion the Beast the Beat, she tours us through her favorite videos. And we gotta say, we love her eclectic taste -- this lady rocks out to everything from Sharon Jones to the Beastie Boys. We’re not surprised.
Fresh Faces: June
Our wee website is brimming with undiscovered talent, and every so often we feel the need to find it and salute it. This month, we discovered five female singer-songwriters who knocked our socks off. Not surprisingly, they’re a global group, hailing from as far afield as England, Nigeria, Chile, Slovenia and Seattle. But despite their geographic spread, they’ve got a few things in common: they all play the guitar, they all pen original songs, and they all have a knack for melody that you can’t fake. Here’s to the up-and-coming generation.
POP ETC
And last but not least, POP ETC, formerly known as the Morning Benders, are releasing a new album today, fresh on the heels of a name change. The change seems to have freed the band up creatively, but their commitment to dreamily cathartic songcraft is still there -- in spades. Find out what other music makes the band swoon today.
Sarah Bardeen, music community manager, recently watched “Shawn Colvin - All Fall Down.”
Sunday, 10 June 2012
Usher Performs Live From London
Usher Raymond is no stranger to multi-tasking. He’s a multi-platinum pop phenomenon, a riveting dancer, a songwriter and an impresario -- this is the man who signed Justin Bieber, after all. On Monday, June 11, he’ll add “ground-breaking live performer” to his list of accomplishments, when he takes to a London stage for his American Express UNSTAGED performance, in partnership with YouTube and VEVO.
The singer will endeavor to shatter the walls between performer and audience by inviting audience members to join in the show; they’ll create virtual avatars of themselves which will appear on stage with him. He’ll also be performing songs from his new album Looking 4 Myself on the eve of its release.
The show will be directed by Hamish Hamilton, a veteran director who’s shepherded concert films for the likes of U2, Madonna, The Rolling Stones and many more. Hamilton has no shortage of vision, as his behind-the-scenes look into his direction of this year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show demonstrates.
Tune in this Monday to see the pyrotechnics as they happen: the show airs live on youtube.com/UsherVEVO at 1pm PT. If you miss it, be sure to catch the rebroadcast immediately afterwards.
Sarah Bardeen, music community manager, recently watched “Usher - You Make Me Wanna....”
The singer will endeavor to shatter the walls between performer and audience by inviting audience members to join in the show; they’ll create virtual avatars of themselves which will appear on stage with him. He’ll also be performing songs from his new album Looking 4 Myself on the eve of its release.
The show will be directed by Hamish Hamilton, a veteran director who’s shepherded concert films for the likes of U2, Madonna, The Rolling Stones and many more. Hamilton has no shortage of vision, as his behind-the-scenes look into his direction of this year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show demonstrates.
Tune in this Monday to see the pyrotechnics as they happen: the show airs live on youtube.com/UsherVEVO at 1pm PT. If you miss it, be sure to catch the rebroadcast immediately afterwards.
Sarah Bardeen, music community manager, recently watched “Usher - You Make Me Wanna....”
Saturday, 9 June 2012
Do this, do that, Do Something on YouTube!
Have a feeling you’re going to be a little bored this weekend? Why not Do Something different?
Well now you can - live - with DoSomething.org. Do Something is a nonprofit organization that works with young people to create social change through national campaigns and impactful service projects.
Today, from 9:30am - 5:30pm ET, you can tune in here on YouTube to watch Do Something’s NYC Boot Camp. Check out the schedule to see if they're are certain sessions you want to attend or watch the whole day!
Do Something Boot Camp will bring together a diverse group of young community leaders, activists and social entrepreneurs for a day of networking and training dedicated to giving each attendee the tools to grow and sustain their community action ideas, projects and organizations.
Now, with just an internet connection, young leaders and activists all over can participate in these how-to sessions on starting and managing projects, through live video on YouTube. And check out DoSomething.org’s YouTube Channel for other ways you can get involved and change your community for the better.
Jessica Mason, communications associate, recently watched "How to Start a Community Action Project"
Well now you can - live - with DoSomething.org. Do Something is a nonprofit organization that works with young people to create social change through national campaigns and impactful service projects.
Today, from 9:30am - 5:30pm ET, you can tune in here on YouTube to watch Do Something’s NYC Boot Camp. Check out the schedule to see if they're are certain sessions you want to attend or watch the whole day!
Do Something Boot Camp will bring together a diverse group of young community leaders, activists and social entrepreneurs for a day of networking and training dedicated to giving each attendee the tools to grow and sustain their community action ideas, projects and organizations.
Now, with just an internet connection, young leaders and activists all over can participate in these how-to sessions on starting and managing projects, through live video on YouTube. And check out DoSomething.org’s YouTube Channel for other ways you can get involved and change your community for the better.
Jessica Mason, communications associate, recently watched "How to Start a Community Action Project"
Friday, 8 June 2012
New massacre in Syria, Transit of Venus, Mubarak sentenced
Everyday on the CitizenTube channel (and @CitizenTube on Twitter), along with our curation partners @storyful, we look at how the top news stories are covered on YouTube. Each week we post a weekly recap of the top news stories of the week, as seen through the lens of both citizen-reported footage and professional news coverage.
- We watched former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak receive a life sentence following a ten month trial.
- We observed millions in Britain and beyond stop to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
- We witnessed another week of violence in Syria, as activists reported a new 'massacre' in Syria's Hama province just days after the government there announced they would allow permanent UN aid teams in.
- We saw a devastating plane crash in Lagos, Nigeria, claim the lives of over 150 people.
- We followed the ups and downs of the US election campaign trail as incumbent Governor Scott Walker survived the Wisconsin recall election.
- We marveled at the occurrence of a rare celestial event, as the Transit of Venus was spotted worldwide.
- We paid tribute to inspirational author Ray Bradbury, who died this week aged 91, with a collection of wonderful interviews.
- We marked World Environment Day; an annual UN initiative aimed at celebrating globally positive environmental action.
- Finally, 23 years after the Tiananmen Square massacre, we viewed activists gather in Hong Kong to remember the victims.
Come back to watch the news unfold on YouTube.
Olivia Ma, YouTube News & Politics, recently watched "Amazing Video: Transit of Venus across the Sun 2012".
Thursday, 7 June 2012
Bonnaroo: Live on YouTube this weekend
Stock your cooler with sparkling water and hook your laptop up to a big-screen TV -- YouTube Presents is bringing you the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival all weekend, starting this Friday at 1 p.m. CT/11 a.m. PT. Tune in to youtube.com/bonnaroo to watch three days of non-stop musical performances, in partnership with DELL.
And we mean non-stop. In its eleven years of existence, Bonnaroo has transformed from a haven for jam band aficionados into one of the premiere places to experience live music. The headliners alone are massive -- perhaps you’ve heard of Radiohead, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Phish? But the sheer diversity of artists is also astonishing: over 45 artists will be participating in the webcast, and they range from hip-hop and retro soul to continent-spanning collaborations. Check out the webcast schedule, or whet your appetite with this "Bonnaroo 2012" playlist.
To celebrate the festival’s return to YouTube, we’ll also feature playlists from webcast artists including Soja, the Punch Brothers, the Debo Band and fun. throughout the weekend. And keep an eye out for an exclusive video premiere from the heavily (and justly) buzzed band Alabama Shakes tomorrow. It may just knock your socks off.
The festivities start promptly at 11am PT on Friday on youtube.com/bonnaroo -- see you there, people.
Sarah Bardeen, music community manager, recently watched “Bonnaroo 2012 - Ben Folds Shoutout."
And we mean non-stop. In its eleven years of existence, Bonnaroo has transformed from a haven for jam band aficionados into one of the premiere places to experience live music. The headliners alone are massive -- perhaps you’ve heard of Radiohead, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Phish? But the sheer diversity of artists is also astonishing: over 45 artists will be participating in the webcast, and they range from hip-hop and retro soul to continent-spanning collaborations. Check out the webcast schedule, or whet your appetite with this "Bonnaroo 2012" playlist.
To celebrate the festival’s return to YouTube, we’ll also feature playlists from webcast artists including Soja, the Punch Brothers, the Debo Band and fun. throughout the weekend. And keep an eye out for an exclusive video premiere from the heavily (and justly) buzzed band Alabama Shakes tomorrow. It may just knock your socks off.
The festivities start promptly at 11am PT on Friday on youtube.com/bonnaroo -- see you there, people.
Sarah Bardeen, music community manager, recently watched “Bonnaroo 2012 - Ben Folds Shoutout."
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
The IOC to show live coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games on YouTube in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa
This summer, from July 27 to August 12, the world will turn their attention to London to watch the daily trials and triumphs of the greatest living athletes at the Summer Olympic Games. Today, we’re excited to announce that millions of Olympic fans from across 64 territories in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa will have a chance to watch the games live from London on the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/olympic.
In total, the IOC’s YouTube Channel will offer fans in these countries over 2,200 hours of high-definition sporting event coverage from London 2012, including all the medal finals.
People in countries including Singapore, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya (full list here), can tune in to the IOC channel on their desktop, tablet, or mobile device enjoy live coverage of the events as well as highlight clips free-of-charge. The IOC channel will have 10 HD live-feeds from the Games, running from 9am to 11pm London time, plus a 24-hour broadcast of the Olympic News Channel. There will also be highlight reels and full videos of events after they’ve finished — all organized by the day, medal event, or the sport.
For those not in these particular countries, you can already watch historic clips from past Games on the IOC channel and teasers from London on the London 2012 YouTube Channel. Hopefully, these will hold you over until the triumphant entrance of the athletes at the Opening Ceremony on July 27.
Tommy O’Hare, sports content partnerships manager, recently watched TK,
“Flying Finn Ritola signs off with fifth gold - Amsterdam 1928 Olympic Games.”
In total, the IOC’s YouTube Channel will offer fans in these countries over 2,200 hours of high-definition sporting event coverage from London 2012, including all the medal finals.
People in countries including Singapore, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya (full list here), can tune in to the IOC channel on their desktop, tablet, or mobile device enjoy live coverage of the events as well as highlight clips free-of-charge. The IOC channel will have 10 HD live-feeds from the Games, running from 9am to 11pm London time, plus a 24-hour broadcast of the Olympic News Channel. There will also be highlight reels and full videos of events after they’ve finished — all organized by the day, medal event, or the sport.
For those not in these particular countries, you can already watch historic clips from past Games on the IOC channel and teasers from London on the London 2012 YouTube Channel. Hopefully, these will hold you over until the triumphant entrance of the athletes at the Opening Ceremony on July 27.
Tommy O’Hare, sports content partnerships manager, recently watched TK,
“Flying Finn Ritola signs off with fifth gold - Amsterdam 1928 Olympic Games.”
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