Anti-Piracy Film Contest Calls for Additional Entries; Submission Deadline Extended to May 31, 2005.

LOS ANGELES -- The Project: FAIR contest deadline for submission has been extended, the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA), in conjunction with Had To Be Made Films, announced today. Project: FAIR is a contest for filmmakers to create public service announcements that speak out against motion picture theft in imaginative ways that will resonate with the public.

"Piracy is the most critical issue facing every person in the entertainment industry," said spokesperson Carrie Dieterich. "Project: FAIR intends to meet the piracy problem head-on by recognizing provocative and powerful messages about the massive harm caused by theft of our industry's creative works.

"In addition to our outreach to the independent film community, we are also working with a number of colleges and film schools whose students are just returning from spring break. We extended the deadline to allow film students sufficient time to complete their entries," Dieterich said.

Filmmakers are invited to submit 30- to 40-second films centered around a persuasive message against theft of movies that is appropriate for all ages. The films should emphasize that purchasing illegal copies contributes to copyright infringement and/or that downloading copyrighted movies without authorization is stealing and a crime. Additional information and complete rules can be found at www.projectfair.com.

Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of celebrity judges, who will select the winning spots. These winning PSAs will be announced and previewed at VSDA's Home Entertainment 2005 event, to be held July 26-28, 2005 at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Winners will receive prizes and have their PSAs played in video stores across the country. They also will be featured at an awards ceremony during the VSDA's Home Entertainment Event 2005. In addition, the spots will be made available to motion picture studios and theater owners.

Current sponsors of Project: FAIR include Hilton Hotels, IndieWire, and Moviemaker Magazine.

The contest is part of the Video Software Dealers Association's continuing strategy to combat illegal file-swapping of movies and bootleg DVDs. The strategy includes educating the public, advocating more effective anti-piracy laws, supporting vigorous enforcement of existing laws, and providing consumers with multiple competitive, lawful alternatives to video piracy. Project: FAIR will complement other VSDA public education programs, which include a recently launched initiative to play anti-piracy trailers and display anti-piracy posters in video stores and the Association's ongoing effort to encourage motion picture studios to include anti-piracy trailers on DVDs.

ABOUT VSDA -- Established in 1981, the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) is the not-for-profit international trade association for the $24 billion home entertainment industry. VSDA represents more than 1,000 companies throughout the United States, Canada, and other nations. Its members operate more than 12,500 retail outlets in the U.S. that sell and/or rent DVDs, VHS cassettes, and console video games. Membership comprises the full spectrum of video retailers (from single-store operators to large chains), video distributors, the home video divisions of major and independent motion picture studios, and other related businesses that constitute and support the home video entertainment industry.

ABOUT HAD TO BE MADE FILMS -- Established in 2002, Had To Be Made, Inc. is focused on providing distribution, production and representation services to independent filmmakers. In addition to the HTBM/VSDA Filmmaker Program, Had To Be Made, Inc. also runs the Had To Be Made Film Festival, the first nationwide film festival available only on DVD at top independent video rental outlets across the country.