If you are under 19 years of age and living in Nova Scotia, you are invited to submit your creative works to the second annual Expressions New Media Youth Festival taking place February 21 in Bridgewater.

 Expressions is now accepting submissions of original work in the categories of film/video, animation and video games. All the work submitted will be viewed by youth juries and will be eligible to win fantastic prizes including cash, games, pool passes, gift cards and other goodies.

 Films and animations can be fact or fiction in any genre - action, adventure, comedy, drama, fantasy, horror, mystery or romance. All types of video games - arcade, platform, puzzle, racing, role-playing, shooter or strategy - are welcome. Entries will be screened at Empire Theatres Bridgewater and prize winners will be announced at the closing gala at the end of the day. The festival promises to be a great celebration of learning, creativity and high-tech fun with afternoon workshops at Artech Studios, so get your projects submitted before the January 31 deadline. For information on how to submit projects and to view highlights from last year's festival, visit the Expressions website at www.youthmediaexpressions.com, e-mail info@youthmediaexpressions.com or contact festival director Ronnie Scullion at Artech Studios, 530-3177, in Bridgewater or toll-free 1-877-530-3177.

 Expressions New Media Youth Festival Association is a non-profit organization. The festival is co-sponsored by Artech Studios and Empire Theatres Bridgewater with generous support from Lunenburg Queens Regional Development Agency, Nova Scotia Community College – School of Applied New Media – dean Bruce Tawse, The Lunenburg Film Series and many other local businesses, individuals and organizations.

 "Momentum is building. We have already received more submissions than last year in two of the competitions," says Ms Scullion. "The kids I come in contact with in our after-school program are very excited. We are very grateful to the generous support we have received from this community - it's been fantastic!"