2004 National Story Writing Contest for At-Risk Youth POSITIVELY NEGATIVE:Close Encounters and other tales of HIV/AIDS WITH SPIKE LEE, MORGAN FREEMAN, & ROBERT RODRIGUEZ

Spike Lee, Morgan Freeman, writer/director Robert Rodriguez, Jesse L. Martin, Jasmine Guy, among other notable celebrities, filmmakers and playwrights will judge Select Medias national HIV/AIDS prevention story-writing contest for youth at-risk.

New York, NY (PRWEB) May 17, 2004 --Select Media, Inc. a leader in adolescent health education is hosting a National Story-Writing Contest for At-Risk Youth, Positively Negative: Close Encounters and Other Tales of HIV/AIDS. Teenagers 14-22 will submit original stories about personal vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.

A panel of celebrities, filmmakers, actors, and playwrights will act as final round judges. To date, jurors include Spike Lee, Morgan Freeman, writer/director Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids), producer Elizabeth Avellan (Spy Kids), Jasmine Guy (A Different World), Jesse L. Martin (Law & Order), playwright Charles OyamO Gordon (the Public Theater), and Dr. Loretta Sweet Jemmott (HIV Prevention Research Specialist).

The winner, in addition to a monetary prize, will have their story turned into a 22-minute educational film to be distributed nationally to organizations serving at-risk youth in schools and non-school settings. The resulting film is expected to reach millions of youth over the next decade which will have a significant impact in the HIV status of our nations children and youth.

The deadline for entries is November 5, 2004. Entries must be between 3 -- 5 pages (typed and double spaced or neatly written) and will be accepted via postal mail. Entrants must be between the ages of 14-22. The contest winner will be announced on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2004. Contest Rules & Guidelines will be published on www.selectmedia.org.

For 15 years, Select Media has been providing health departments, schools, universities, government agencies and community- based organizations with award-winning curricula and films on critical health issues including HIV/AIDS, puberty, alcohol and other drugs, child sexual abuse, family violence, STDs, conflict resolution and teen pregnancy.

Select Media is known for its award-winning, research-based programs for at-risk youth. Three of our curricula have been selected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the prestigious and competitive "Programs That Work" Curriculum Award.