Kenyan filmmakers and animators between the age 9 and 99 and who are passionate about pressing environmental issues have been invited to join a global drive by tve to create one-minute films that would promote conservation.

Tve is a collective name for Television for the Environment and Television Trust for the Environment, which is a London based company.

They have launched a film competition called tvebiomovies 2011, reaching out across the world to YouTube users to submit proposals for short films on the global environment.

Tve said in a statement that the worldwide submissions should fall under the themes of water, energy, forests, oceans, and people living in harmony with their environment.

Cheryl Campbell, tve executive director, has called on all interested parties to start submitting immediately, to beat the Friday deadline.

“We were thrilled with the creativity of last year’s entries,” says Campbell, “and the 2010 finalist films continue to attract viewers to our YouTube channel today. This year’s competition promises to be even bigger and better. We’re delighted to have the support of YouTube this year to make sure we reach an even wider audience.“

All submissions should have been made by (Friday) October 21, after which judges will select 10 ideas to go into production. The YouTuber finalists will each receive US$300 to make their one-minute film.

“The 2011 films will be showcased at Durban, as well as going on line for viewers to decide on the ultimate winners,” says Campbell.

There will be an international climate change conference in Durban, South Africa, in December this year, where ‘key movers and shakers’ will be in attendance.

Tve commissioned several launch videos on popular YouTube channels to highlight the competition, where the overall winner gets $1,500 in prize money.

Tvebiomovies 2011 is supported by YouTube, WWF-UK, UNEP, the Lighthouse Foundation, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation.