Richmond – Wilford Ligon of Cumberland County, Va., is one of 19 finalists in the nationwide Filmmaker Challenge Contest sponsored by Sony Creative Software and America’s State Parks. Ligon’s video focuses on High Bridge Trail State Park, a 30-mile linear park that runs through three counties and the town of Farmville in Southside Virginia.

The competition invites park visitors to create videos of their favorite park experiences in a contest for valuable Sony prizes. Prizes include a Sony Vaio Notebook and a PlayStation 3. Contest winners will be determined by popular vote. Votes are being received through Nov. 1.

Ligon’s production is the only finalist to focus on a Virginia State Park. High Bridge Trail runs from Nottoway County, through Cumberland and Prince Edward counties, the town of Farmville to Pamplin City. The entire park, with the exception of High Bridge itself, is open for hiking, bicycling and equestrian use. Ligon’s two-minute video focuses on the bridge as the centerpiece of the park. The bridge is being renovated to add a floor and side-rails for trail use. It is expected to open sometime in 2012.

“I picked High Bridge because it is literally in my backyard,” said Ligon. “Of course, I do live on a farm and have a pretty big backyard.” Ligon and his wife are active members of the Friends of High Bridge Trail State Park.

As part of the contest, Sony is offering a $30 discount on Sony’s Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11 editing software for every sale made from the contest webpage. For each qualifying sale of the editing software, Sony will donate $20 to the America’s State Parks Foundation.

To vote for Ligon’s High Bridge Trail State Park video or to purchase the Sony editing software go to www.americasstateparks.org/filmmaker/

For more information about High Bridge Trail or any other award-winning Virginia State Park, managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.