Launch your movie career with a health IT short film and win $3,000

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT is inviting the public to hit the “record” button and film a video to promote the federal Blue Button program for electronic access to personal health information.

Blue Button started as a Department of Veterans Affairs program giving veterans electronic access to their VA health records. The concept is expanding to other governmental agencies and the private sector. Users can see and download their information and plug it into other programs and applications to better manage their health.

ONC’s Blue Button Video Challenge is offering a $3,000 top prize for an “engaging,” “entertaining” and “attention-grabbing” video that builds more awareness of Blue Button and encourages viewers to learn more. Runners-up receive prizes of $2,000, $1,250 or $750, with a “popular choice” winner receiving $600.

Videos must be engaging in two minutes or less, have a compelling narrative, demonstrate visual creativity, and be “fun, edgy and memorable.” Judging criteria include how many hits the videos attract on YouTube or Vimeo.

Budding Tarantinos and Apatows have until 5 p.m. Nov. 13 to submit their videos, which will be judged by a panel from the Department of Health and Human Services. Winners will be announced Dec. 3.