1. ELIGIBILITY: The Futures Award contest ("Contest") is sponsored and organized by the Center for Investigative Reporting ("CIR"). The Contest is open only to legal residents of the United States of America, excluding Puerto Rico, who are at least eighteen (18) years of age or older as of August 1, 2012. Entrants must be either (i) currently enrolled as a Journalism student or graduate student, or (ii) have graduated within the previous 24 months – however, Video Submissions (defined below) must have been produced while the entrant was a student. Employees, interns, contractors, and directors of CIR or of any of its affiliates, agencies or representatives, and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses) and those living in the same household of each (whether legally related or not) are ineligible to enter or win the Contest. All applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited by law. Entry in the Contest constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional acceptance of these "Official Rules."

2. CONTEST PERIOD: The Contest Entry Period (defined below) will begin on August 2, 2012 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time ("PDT") and end at 5:00 p.m. PDT on May 3, 2013 (the "Contest Entry Period"). Finalists will be selected from entries properly submitted by eligible participants during the Contest Entry Period. The Finalist Selection Period will begin at 9:00 a.m. PDT on May 4, 2013 and end at 11:59 p.m. PDT on or about May 20, 2013. The online Contest Voting Period for those Finalists’ Video Submissions (defined below) revealed on youtube.com/ifiles, theifiles.tumblr.com, facebook.com/theifiles and twitter.com/ifiles, will begin on or about May 21, 2013 and end at 11:59 PDT on June 3, 2013 (the “Contest Voting Period”).

3. TO ENTER THE CONTEST: During the Contest Entry Period, entrants may submit an application and upload a video to participate in the Contest by completing an online application on CIR’s Web Page at http://cironline.org/futuresaward (the “Contest Site”) and uploading an original video file in accordance with the directions made available via the Contest Site (each a “Video Submission”). Video Submissions must be at least two (2) minutes long and no longer than sixty (60 minutes) long. Entrants must comply with all terms, conditions and registration requirements of these Official Rules, and entries may be disqualified in CIR’s sole and complete discretion for any failure to comply. Video Submissions displaying or containing obscene content, and all incomplete entries, will be disqualified. Entrants will receive an email from The I Files with a confirmation of each successful submission, which will be sent when an application entry is complete.  NO ENTRY WILL BE DEEMED ACCEPTED UNTIL THE ENTRANT HAS RECEIVED AN E-MAIL CONFIRMATION OF ENTRY FROM THE I FILES. No entries or Video Submissions will be returned. Entries must be submitted by an individual, even if on behalf of a group or organization.

4. ORIGINALITY AND PUBLICITY: Entrant’s Video Submission must: (i) be original, of entrant's own creation, (ii) not have been entered in any other competition, including other competitions conducted by CIR, (iii) not violate the intellectual property or proprietary rights of other parties, and (iv) not be offensive, discriminatory or defamatory or contain vulgar or profane language, as determined by the judges and CIR. Submission of a Video Submission constitutes entrant’s certification that the Video Submission is entrant’s own original work and entrant represents and warrants that the Video Submission does not and will not infringe the intellectual property or proprietary rights of any third party, including, without limitation, any third party patents, copyrights or trademarks. By submitting a Video Submission, entrant hereby grants CIR and its successors and assigns an irrevocable, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sub-licensable (through multiple tiers) and transferable license to use, copy, transmit or otherwise distribute, perform, modify, create derivative works based upon, incorporate into other works, publicly perform and display the Video Submission or any portion thereof, in or through any medium, whether now known or hereafter created. Nothing herein shall constitute an employment, joint venture, or partnership relationship between entrant and CIR. As a condition of entry into the Contest, except where prohibited by law, each entrant and each potential also Winner grants to CIR and CIR's affiliates, legal representatives, assigns and licensees, a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license and right, to publicize, broadcast, display and/or otherwise use the Contest entrant’s name, city, state and biographical material, likeness, the name of the relevant organization referenced in the entry (if any) in any media now known or hereafter devised throughout the world in perpetuity for any purposes, without additional review, compensation, permission or approval of the entrant or Winner.

5. SELECTION OF CONTEST FINALISTS: CIR, The I Files and a panel of independent experts designated by CIR in its sole and complete discretion (the “Panel”) will review all eligible entries and after the Contest Entry Period has closed will select ten (10) finalists (the “Finalists”) based on the following criteria:

 

(1) The video content is investigative in nature, unique and compelling.

(2) The video entry is nonfiction.

(3) The video entry can be animated and/or multimedia.

(4) The video entry must have final credits.

(5) The video entry must contain English subtitles or voiceover if in a foreign language.

(6) The video entry is well produced.

 

CIR in its sole and complete discretion may limit the Finalists such that no more than three (3) entries affiliated with a particular school are included. CIR or its representatives (including the members of the Panel), in its sole and complete discretion, may contact any or all of the entrants via the email addresses or phone numbers provided in the entries associated in order to interview the entrants about their entries and confirm their eligibility an  compliance with the Official Rules. CIR or its representatives may also, in its sole and complete discretion, contact any or all of the entrant’s references via email addresses provided in the references section of the entry application. If any member of the Panel has a professional or personal affiliation with the individual or organization that created a particular entry, that member will recuse himself or herself from rating that entry. The entry and organization will not be affected either positively or negatively in the evaluation process by reason of the affiliation.

 

6. SELECTION OF CONTEST WINNERS: The Finalists will be featured on The I Files YouTube channel, accessible at youtube.com/ifiles. The potential Winners will be selected from among the Finalists based on votes cast by Facebook users during the Contest Voting Period. Users may visit http://www.facebook.com/theifiles and click “vote” once per day during the Voting Period. At the close of the Voting Period, the votes will be tallied up and one potential Winner will be declared the Winner of The Futures Award on June 4, 2013. In the unlikely event that public voting results in a tie, CIR will decide the Winner based upon the merits of the reporting and the video production. At the discretion of CIR, there may be additional categories and honors related to those categories. Winners will be notified by email.

 

7. PRIZES: CIR will award the top Finalist and 9 semi-Finalists as follows:

 

The one (1) Overall Winner of The Futures Award, as determined by the Finalist who receives the most votes during the Contest Voting Period, will receive:

 

• A cash prize of $2,500 (taxable);

• Winning Video Submission will be prominently displayed on I Files YouTube channel

• A press release about the award; and

• The opportunity to participate in a Google+ hangout with media professionals

 

The nine (9) semi-Finalists each will receive:

 

• Prominent placement on The I Files YouTube channel; and

• A press release about their participation in the Contest

 

Total value of all prizes to be awarded $2,500 USD. Prizes are not redeemable for cash; nor are they transferable, refundable or substitutable except by CIR, at CIR’s option, with prizes of equal or greater value.

 

8. ENTRANT OBLIGATIONS: CIR reserves the right at its sole and complete discretion to disqualify the entry of any individual found to be: tampering or attempting to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or any website operated by CIR; using any robotic, macro, automatic, programmed or like entry methods; violating these Official Rules or the terms of service, conditions of use, and/or general rules of any CIR property or service; or acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other person. CIR reserves the right at its sole and complete discretion to disqualify a Winner and to select an alternate Winner as a result of any of the following: failure to timely respond to notification; the return of an email notification as undeliverable; failure to provide satisfactory proof of age, identity and residency; failure to timely execute and return Affidavits of Eligibility/Liability/Publicity Release; and any other non-compliance with the Official Rules. In the event of a disqualification, CIR may, in its sole and complete discretion, award or not award the forfeited prize to an alternate Winner.

 

In the event of a dispute regarding who submitted an entry, the entry will be deemed submitted by the authorized account holder of the e-mail account specified in the entry. "Authorized account holder" is defined as the natural person who is assigned to a an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. No automatically generated entries will be accepted.

 

By entering, the entrant agrees to allow entry content and/or Video Submission to appear exclusively on The I Files YouTube Channel and associated properties for the duration of The Contest Voting Period and for a period of sixty (60) days thereafter. Any Finalists entry-related content featured elsewhere online must be removed during The Contest Voting Period and for a period of sixty (60) days thereafter. Entrant also agrees to assume all liability for any injury, death, or damage caused, or allegedly caused, by participating in this Contest or use or redemption of any prize; and to comply with all government laws and regulations. All taxes, if any, are the responsibility of the Winners, who may receive an IRS Form 1099 reflecting the final actual value of the prizes.

 

9. GENERAL RULES:

 

By entering or participating in the Contest, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules, the terms and conditions of CIR’s website, and by the decisions of CIR, which has the sole right to decide all matters relating to the Contest and whose decisions are final and binding in all respects.

 

Entrants further agree to release, indemnify, defend and hold CIR, Facebook and CIR’s parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, sponsors and agents, including advertising and promotion agencies, and assigns, and any other organizations related to the Contest, harmless, from any and all claims, injuries, damages, expenses or losses to person or property and/or liabilities of any nature that in any way arise from participation in this Contest or acceptance or use of a prize or parts thereof, including without limitation (i) any condition caused by events beyond CIR’s control that may cause the Contest to be disrupted or corrupted; (ii) any injuries, losses, or damages (compensatory, direct, incidental, consequential or otherwise) of any kind arising in connection with or as a result of the prize, or acceptance, possession, or use of the prize, or from participation in the Contest; and (iii) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the Contest. Winners agree to be bound by these Official Rules, and the decisions of the judges are final.

 

CIR is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, typographical errors or technical failures of any kind, any unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest or CIR website or any other errors, problems or malfunctions of any kind, that may occur in connection with the administration of the Contest, the processing of entries, or the selection or notification of winners. CIR is not responsible for claims, injuries, losses or damages of any kind resulting, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the awarding, delivery, acceptance, use, misuse, possession, loss or misdirection of the prize; participation in this Contest or in any activity or travel related thereto or from any interaction with, or downloading of, computer Contest information, including technical hardware or software failures of any kind and any injury or damage to any person's computer, related to or resulting from participating in or experiencing any materials in connection with the promotion, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmission that may limit an entrant’s ability to participate in the promotion. Use of CIR website is at user's own risk.

 

IN NO EVENT WILL CIR BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOSS OF USE, DATA, BUSINESS OR PROFITS) ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST, WHETHER SUCH LIABILITY ARISES FROM ANY CLAIM BASED UPON CONTRACT, WARRANTY, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, AND WHETHER OR NOT CIR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE. Some jurisdictions do not allow the limitation or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

 

CIR reserves the right to cancel, terminate, suspend or modify the Contest if fraud, misconduct or technical failures harm the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest (or portion thereof), including any computer virus or bug, as determined by CIR, in its sole and complete discretion. In the event of termination, a notice will be posted online. If insufficient entries are received, or if no entry submitted meets minimum reasonable criteria for a prize, in CIR’s sole and complete discretion, a Winner may not be selected.

 

CIR reserves the right to prohibit the participation of an individual if fraud or tampering is suspected or if the individual fails to comply with any requirement of participation as stated herein or with any provision in these Official Rules. ANY ATTEMPT BY AN INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, CIR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

 

This Contest is offered only in the United States and is governed by the laws of the State of California. All claims relating in any manner to this contest or to any submission must be resolved in the federal or state courts of San Francisco, California. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of participants and CIR in connection with the contest, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of California.

 

10. PERSONAL INFORMATION: By participating in the Contest, you acknowledge and agree that you are providing your entry information to CIR, and not to Facebook. The personal information collected through this Contest is subject to CIR’s Privacy Policy, located at http://cironline.org/about/privacy-policy. By opting in to receive emails from CIR or The I Files about The I Files Futures Award, you agree to receive emails from CIR about its products and services. By entering this Contest, entrants agree to the use of entrants’ personal information as described in the above Privacy Policy.

 

11. OFFICIAL RULES/WINNERS’ LIST REQUESTS: To obtain a copy of these Official Rules or for notification of the winner, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: CIR’s “The I Files Futures Award” Contest Official Rules/Winner List Request, CIR, 2130 Center St., Suite 103, Berkeley, CA 94704. Requests for winner's or semi-finalists’ name must be received no later than three months after the end of the Contest.

 

12. SPONSOR: CIR, 2130 Center St., Suite 103, Berkeley, CA 94704, an organization exempted from taxation according to Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. For more information, please contact CIR at ifiles@cironline.org.