AOL Time Warner Inc. and Harvard University's Department of Afro-American Studies Create Documentary Grant Competition.

Business Editors and Education Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 2003

AOL Time Warner Inc. and Harvard University's Department of Afro-American Studies will create a documentary completion grant competition dealing with issues or themes relating to African Americans.

The announcement was made today by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Chair, Department of Afro-American Studies and W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for Afro-American Research, and Richard D. Parsons, CEO, AOL Time Warner Inc. One winner in each of categories of "Current News Documentary" and "General Documentary" will be awarded a $100,000 in-kind grant ($25,000 cash and $75,000 in production services) and may have the chance for their films to air on CNN and HBO.

"I can't think of a better partner for this project than AOL Time Warner Inc.," said Gates. "Through our partnership in Africana.com, we've worked closely with the company--as well as with its HBO division -- on a multitude of programming projects. I really admire their aesthetic sensibility. Teaming with them to identify new talent makes perfect sense." Gates added, "CNN has a long tradition of creating the best news programming in the industry, and we're delighted that they're going to be a part of this, as well."

"We're always honored and proud to partner with Harvard University and Skip Gates, particularly on a project that will explore both the experience of African Americans and their formative impact on the history and culture of the United States," said Parsons. "Encouraging talented young women and men to contribute to the worlds of creativity and journalism is in the highest tradition of our company."

Submissions will be accepted in proposal form through May 15, 2003. Official submission forms can be downloaded from lifethroughyourlens.com or by visiting Africana.com, cnn.com, hbo.com and on AOL. Submissions will also be solicited through film schools and documentary film organizations.

Proposals will be judged by a panel of faculty members from Harvard University's Afro-American Studies Department, and renowned African-American filmmakers and producers including Spike Lee, Reginald Hudlin and Shelby Stone. Additionally, judges will include executives from HBO and CNN. Winners will be announced in late August.