The public is invited to vote for the winners of the Democracy Video Challenge from now through June 15. Three of the finalists are films from Africa -- from Côte d'Ivoire, Uganda and Zambia.

On May 15, the Department of State and its partners announced the selection of 18 finalists, out of a pool of more than 900 entries, for the Democracy Video Challenge. Filmmakers from around the world were asked to submit films that complete the phrase "Democracy is ...." Films could not exceed three minutes, or use copyrighted material, but there were no other limits to the filmmakers' visions.

The finalists represent a range of voices about democracy around the world, and were selected by an independent jury co-chaired by Michael Apted (president of the Directors Guild of America) and Hernando de Soto (president of the Institute for Liberty and Democracy).

From now through June 15, the global public has the opportunity to select the contest winners, by going to www.youtube.com/democracychallenge to view and vote on the videos. Six winners, one from each region of the world, will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, New York and Hollywood in September 2009.

The African finalists offered a range of thoughtful "takes" on democracy, blending local color and universal truths.

The film from Zambia, entitled Democracy is like a smoothie, was made by filmmaker Chansa Tembo, and shows a variety of fresh fruits being blended together. The film asserts that "democracy is like a smoothie of blended philosophical ideas, ideologies, cultural norms and aesthetic values."

In the Ugandan film, called The Other Side, filmmaker Mugisha Paul explores the choices facing all of us, and reflects on what "government by the people" means.

Message aux Apôtres (Message to the Apostles), the film from Côte d'Ivoire by filmmaker Pierre Yao, examines "three keys to democracy": transparency, discipline and tolerance.

Michael Apted calls films "a window into our common humanity," and says, "The young filmmakers taking part in this challenge will harness the magic of this powerful art form to connect to people around the world in a global discussion on democracy."

The partners in the Democracy Video Challenge include the Motion Picture Association of America, NBC Universal, the Directors Guild of America, New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, the U.S. Department of State, the Center for International Private Enterprise, the International Youth Foundation, the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, Taking IT Global, and YouTube.