YouTube Announces Film Contest WinnersYouTube Announces Film Contest Winners

YouTube has announced the winners of its first international film competition.

Project Direct, sponsored by Hewlett-Packard, drew entries from hundreds of film-makers. YouTube users voted on their favorite films from a pool of 20 finalists, chosen by ward-winning director Jason Reitman and experts from Fox Searchlight.

"We are thrilled to see so many high caliber submissions for Project Direct. The camaraderie among entrants, along with the community's level of engagement with the top 20 entries, is a tribute to the quality of the films we received," Sara Pollack, community manager for film at YouTube, said in an announcement released this week. "YouTube provides a unique opportunity to filmmakers who hope to find an audience for their films and ultimately be discovered."

Adriana Falcao of Brazil won the competition for her film, Lacos. She and will spend nine days as a guest of HP at a major international film festival, receive a $5,000 debit card, meet with Fox Searchlight Pictures production executives, and have her video played on the YouTube homepage in seven countries.

Falcao, born in Rio de Janeiro, has authored six books including one that was adapted into the motion picture, "The Machine." Her daughter Clarice told her about YouTube's Project Direct. Her daughter starred, while longtime friend Flavia Lacerda worked the camera. The film lasts less than 6.5 minutes, stars three people and is based on a young woman's unusual encounter with a stranger.

American Jacob Lewis will receive a $5,000 debit card for his film, Gone in a Flash, which placed second. The story revolves around a lost dog.

Lewis met Chris Crutchfield after moving to Charlotte and the two soon discovered a shared passion for film. Lewis also met aspiring writer and actress Erin Fede and joined Fede's improvisation troupe. The three talked about collaborating on short films and Project Direct provided them with an opportunity to make one. They shot and edited the film in about four days and spent less than $70.

Ben Shelton, also an American, will receive a $2,500 debit card for his film, My Name Is Lisa, which placed third. The serious story about a young girl and her mother is told largely through the lens of the child's video camera.

Shelton grew up in Santa Barbara and made his first film in junior high school. At the University of Puget Sound, he co-founded a student film club with his filmmaking partner, Eric Ankrim, and graduated with a B.A. in Theater Arts. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue filmmaking and worked as a set production assistant. He began making Internet videos, whose success led to projects with Fox Entertainment, the NBA, and MySpace. He co-wrote and directed My Name is Lisa for Project Direct with his brother Josh Shelton, who also created the film score.

All three films are available on a YouTube gallery.