By Pamela Gentry
BET News Senior Political Producer
Pamela’s Blog

What creative collaboration could bring Hip Hop, Capitol Hill and Hollywood together?  With music, politics and film making the ingredients, MoveOn.org has joined these forces together to judge a video competition for the 2008 presidential campaign.   

Hollywood powerhouses Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, John Legend and Russell Simmons are among more than 20 celebrities who will be judging the competition and selecting a winner for the contest. 

 MoveOn.org, announced Thursday, they were launching an ad contest called “Obama in 30 Seconds.” Organizers said, “Anyone can make an ad about Obama between now and April 1. The public will vote on the best ads, and a panel of top artists, film professionals, and network heroes will pick a winner from the finalists.”

The rules are fairly simple, according to the liberal group; contestants get to show their talents, receive exposure and a $20,000 gift certificate, if they win.

 The contest will be “Ads that are of the people, by the people, and for the people,” Affleck said. It’s “A chance for everyone, from aspiring filmmakers to armchair pundits, to raise their voices to put Obama over the top and help make history.”

Once the winner is selected, it will be aired nationally, the group said. Other celebrity judges will include actor Adrian Grenier, musician Eddie Vedder, Rev. Jesse Jackson, actor/director Steve Buscemi, music producer Russell Simmons, and movie producer/director Oliver Stone.

This isn’t the first time for a contest of this nature. MoveOn’s “Bush in 30 Seconds” contest in 2004, resulted in thousands of videos, and a winning video that aired nationally.

So all you aspiring filmmakers, music makers and literary masters, here’s your opportunity to shine.