The Imagine Cup is a worldwide tournament challenging the globe's best and brightest students to use technology to enhance people's lives. Wild creativity is encouraged and students are allowed to collaborate with up to 3 teammates. All students who register to compete get a free copy of Microsoft Visual Studio .NET. The grand prize for the competition is $8000 and Microsoft is flying the top 6 teams to Yokohama, Japan for the finals. Registration closes April 1, '05.

General Guidelines
Teams of up to 4 individuals
Theme: dissolving boundaries
Film concept can be modified between rounds - passing through the first round qualifies the storyteller, not just the story
Up to 30 teams move on to second round

Deliverables
Round 1: Abstract, storyboard
Round 2 : Film, film description

Required Elements
Round 1: Abstract must be less than 500 words, in English. Storyboard must be less than 25 MB, in Microsoft PowerPoint or other standard image display format (jpeg, gif, etc)

Round 2: Film must be Windows Media Playable, less than 150 MB zipped

Judging Elements
Round 1: Review of Abstract/storyboard
50% Story idea (through abstract and storyboard)
50% Expressiveness/Artistry (storyboard)

Round 2: Review of films; selection of worldwide finalists
50% Story
50% Technique

Round 3: Selection of prize winners
60% Score from round 2
40% On site documentary film project

Prize Amounts
First Place $8,000
Second Place $4,000
Third Place $3,000

The register, get more information, and to view the '04 winner, Midia, a stirring look at the evolution of communication by a group of Romanian students, click on the banner above.