World Nomads’ 2011 Travel Documentary Scholarship Contest

 World Nomads’ 2011 Travel Documentary Scholarship Contest Takes Winner to Arnhem Land in Northern Australia To Film Impact of Southeast Asia Fishing Industry on Aboriginal Life

SYDNEY, Australia, April 14, 2011 -- WorldNomads.com, the travel services company that helps independent travelers stay safe and stress-free on the roadhttp://worldnomads.com/, announces a scholarship contest open from now through June 16, 2011, to select an amateur videographer keen to jump-start a documentary filmmaking career.

The winner will travel for seven days Sept. 3-9, 2011, under the auspices of World Expeditions through remote Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land (far north Australia) for an immersion in traditional Yolngu Aboriginal knowledge of the land, sea and animals. Virgin Blue will provide air transportation from the winner’s country of residence to Northern Territory, Australia.

The aspiring filmmaker will join and work under the directive of documentary producer Trent O’Donnell to create a film that will be considered for air on National Geographic Adventure television. The project involves Yolngu Aboriginal rangers working to restore lands around the sea by removing and cataloging the man-made detritus the sea carries as by-product of South East Asia’s fishing industry.

The virtually pristine coastline is facing a significant environmental threat from marine debris washed in on the ocean currents. Discarded fishing nets, rubber footwear, empty bottles and plastic bags are all carried by these currents from throughout the South East Asian region and deposited on the Arnhem Land Coast. All of this waste is a major threat to the wildlife, as animals get caught up in the nets and choke on the plastic rubbish.

Working with the Yolngu people under the mentorship of Trent O'Donnell the scholarship recipient will find his or her own story and film and edit their own 5 to 10 minute documentary.

More than just “win a trip,” WorldNomads.com ongoing scholarship offerings allow people through writing and photography and now through film in the company of highly touted professionals to get a foot in their desired career door. This is the first time that documentary filmmaking has been part of the scholarship program.

Chris Noble, General Manager said, “This is a unique opportunity to visit a community project in North East Arnhem Land with World Expeditions and Trent O’Donnell. Our aim is to have the winner’s work be broadcast on National Geographic television and bring attention to this community’s plight.”

Candidates 18 and older can be students, emerging and non-professional filmmakers or even lovers of travel looking for a career change. To enter, contestants must prepare and submit a sample three-minute video based around the theme; 'Local Encounters'.

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