By Rob Tennant, corporate communications account executive for University of Utah Health Sciences

With the proliferation of video-editing software and smartphones with high-quality video capture in most people’s pockets, pretty much anyone can be a filmmaker these days.
That’s what Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library Director Jean Shipman is counting on as a cross-university faculty committee working with EHSL launches a new annual student health video competition, Healthi4U, at a kick-off event to be held on Thursday, Sept. 10 from 5-7 p.m. in HSEB 2100.

The competition asks teams of three or more to create engaging and informative videos on a health-related topic of their choice. Three top videos chosen by a jury and one voted on by online viewers will split a total of $5,000 in scholarship funds.

“This is a great opportunity for students from around the university to come together and use their individual creativity, skills and expertise to educate the public about important health issues,” said Shipman.

The competition is open to all full-time matriculated University of Utah students, undergraduate and graduate students. Teams must be composed of at least three students with bonus points being awarded to teams representing three different colleges or schools. Faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to invite their students to participate.

The kick-off event is intended for interested students to meet each other and form teams. Students unable to attend the event will be able to use an online tool to find potential teammates.
Winning videos will have the wide exposure via multiple EHSL online channels as well as broadcast on UEN Channel 9.

Competing videos will be due on Monday, Nov. 9 via online submission. Winners will be announced at a capstone event on Thursday, Nov. 19.

For details and registration information, visit library.med.utah.edu/healthi4u/.