Amazon.com announced five finalists of the "Your Amazon Ad" contest, Amazon's first national competition in search of a television commercial idea from its customers. The five finalists' videos are available for customers to view and rate through September 6 online.

The filmmaker with the highest average customer rating will receive the Audience Prize of a $10,000 Amazon.com Gift Card and a trip for two to the 15th Annual Gen Art Film Festival in New York City next April, where the video will be screened. Customers who watch the videos and submit ratings will be entered for a chance to win the grand prize of a trip for two to the Gen Art Film Festival and a Flip Ultra HD Camcorder or one of 50 first prizes.

The winner of the Audience Prize and Jury Prize will be announced on September 21. A number of runner-up videos will be available for customers to view along with the five finalist videos. Amazon reviewed and selected the finalists and runner-up videos with a team of film experts at Gen Art Film Festival.

"What stood out the most when reviewing the submissions was the filmmakers' enthusiasm for sharing their experiences on Amazon," according to Aaron Levine, Gen Art Film Festival associate director. "You could really feel that everyone worked hard and had a blast making these ads. It's been very exciting to participate in this contest with Amazon, and we're looking forward to the winners' videos being screened at our festival next year."

http://www.amazon.com/yaac