“Two people walk into a bar…” is the theme for Videotect 4, Architecture Minnesota magazine’s fourth annual video competition. The popular contest invites people of all ages and backgrounds to create short videos that show how design can enhance social interaction in an eatery, watering hole or coffee shop.

“Everybody’s got a favorite hangout, so we expect a lot of interest in this year’s theme,” says Architecture Minnesota editor Chris Hudson. “And with there being so many great restaurants and bars, we expect as many different answers to the challenge as there are submissions.”

“The key to Videotect success,” says Hudson, “is to be original.” Past prizewinners include “3D Skyway Battle Rap” (skyway theme), an animated Clint Eastwood in “A Fistful of Asphalt” (transportation theme) and the uproariously dystopian “Virtual Office” (city of the future).

Registration for the 2014 submissions is now open and costs $40. The 30‐ to 90-second original, digital entries may be submitted at any time until the Feb. 3 deadline. All of the entries will be posted on http://www.architecturemn.com, Feb. 14‐21 for public viewing and voting. The top vote‐getters and the selections of an all‐star jury will be unveiled at a Walker Art Center screening event on March 13. Prizes include a $2,000 Grand Prize, a $1,000 Viewers’ Choice Award, and four $500 Honorable Mentions.

This year, for the first time, entrants can create 6‐second Vine videos — as many as they like — in addition to their official entry for a chance to win one of several $100 prizes. No registration is required for Vine entries; entrants need only post the videos by Feb. 14 with the hashtag #videotect4.

The awards show presenters are WCCO-TV anchor Jason DeRusha and the Videotect 4 judges:

• Susan Smoluchowski, executive director of the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul
• Omar Ansari, Surly Brewing Company founder
• Stephanie Curtis, Minnesota Public Radio movie maven
• Jon Buggy, Gensler director

The Grand Prize winner also will be screened at the 2014 Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival in April.

Architecture Minnesota is the award‐winning magazine of the American Institute of Architects Minnesota.

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