SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – America’s State Parks and Sony Creative Software have teamed to introduce America’s State Parks Filmmaker Challenge, a video competition created to provide funding to state parks across the nation.  “West Virginia could easily become a winner,” said Ken Caplinger, chief of West Virginia’s state parks.  “It could be an incredible tribute to our West Virginia state park system for our visitors to participate in this nationwide contest.”

The video contest submission began in June and runs through Sept. 1, 2011.  Participants are asked to produce a two-minute (or less) video or videos showcasing their favorite state parks. Amateurs are welcome. On Sept. 5, 19 potential finalists will be selected by representatives of the organization, America’s State Parks. Videos selected will be based on creative elements – cinematography, editing, soundtrack, effective use of special effects and film length – and technical elements – film concept, originality, coherence and overall enjoyment.  Finalists will be announced at Custer State Park in South Dakota early in September and winners will be unveiled on November 15. Winners of the competition will receive various Sony prizes, including PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Sony VAIO® laptops and Sony Bloggie™ Cameras.

America’s State Parks will host the user videos on its YouTube page.  “YouTube is a powerful media resource. Imagine Cass Scenic Railroad, Babcock, Blackwater Falls and other parks being videoed by our visitors, from a visitors point of view, and sharing our treasures with the world,” said Caplinger.

Anyone visiting America’s State Parks website from Sept. 10 through Nov. 1 will be invited to vote for their favorite video.  “We hope to find West Virginia entries and better yet, good voter turnout for West Virginia entries,” Caplinger said. “Lewisburg was recently named America’s Coolest Small Town by Budget Travel, and our state parks are worthy of winning another award for the state. And the bonus is great videos shot by park visitors and posted to YouTube.  We can’t lose.”

America’s State Parks organization benefits from a partnership with Sony. A special offer of $30 public discount on Sony’s Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11 software will available through America’s State Parks website. For very sale of software from the ASP website, Sony will donate $20 to America’s State Parks organization.

For more information on this promotion or America’s State Parks, visit www.americasstateparks.org. For the America’s State Parks Filmmaker Challenge contest rules and regulations, visit www.americasstateparks.org/filmmaker.

West Virginia’s state park system is one of 50 system members making up the National Association of State Park Directors.  Ken Caplinger represents West Virginia in this vital network of state park leaders.

About America’s State Parks – The organization

America’s State Parks is an alliance of public and private organizations working to promote and enhance the collective national treasure that is the great park systems found across our 50 states.  With more than 7,000 units and nearly three-quarter of a billion annual visits, America’s State Parks are vital to the American quality of life. Leadership and governance for America’s State Parks comes from members of the National Association of State Park Directors representing each region of the country.

About the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD)

Composed of 50 state park directors, the NASPD (www.naspd.org) was founded in 1962. The mission of the Association is to promote and advance the state park systems of America for their own significance, as well as for their important contributions to the nation’s environment, heritage, health and economy.

About Sony Creative Software

Sony Creative Software inspires artistic expression with its award-winning line of products for digital video, audio, and music production, as well as industry-leading technology for DVD production and Blu-ray Disc™ authoring. Sound Forge™ Pro, ACID™ Pro, and Vegas™ Pro software have defined digital content creation for a generation of creative professionals. These signature product lines continue to advance media production by providing powerful, accessible tools. For more information about professional and consumer products, visit www.sonycreativesoftware.com.