Pregnancy and Birth Advocacy

Yesterday I received an email from a woman in Virginia who works at Birth Matters in Richmond. She is advocating mother-and baby-friendly pregnancy and birth care so that more mainstream audiences are educated about their options.

Birth Matters Virginia (an organization that works to promote an evidence-based model of maternity care) is inviting mothers, fathers, filmmakers, film students, birth advocates, and others to create a 4-7 minute educational/documentary video about birth. The first-place winner will receive a cash prize of $1000. Second place $500 and an "honorable mention" prize of $100 will also be awarded. The deadline for entering the contest is Mother's Day, May 10, 2009.

Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein (makers of the Business of Being Born) have agreed to be guest judges of the contest along with Sarah Buckley. The more people know about it, the better! For rules and to see how to enter, please visit http://www.birthmattersva.org/videocontest.html

You can also join our Facebook group (whether or not you intend to make a video) to get updates about the contest and exchange ideas with other participants athttp://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=73753459808#/group.php?sid=e146cf29ff029d1148a6a465af742146&gid=73753459808

And if you have questions, email Sarah at Richmond@birthmattersva.org Thanks in advance for any help you can give!!