Ethiopian Filmmaker Yared Shumete was named the grand Finalist for Africa in the global Democracy Video Challenge competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of state, You Tube and many other partners, Embassy of the United States to Ethiopia said.

According to a statement the embassy sent to ENA on Wednesday, thousands of You Tube viewers from all over the world watched and voted for Yared's original video "Democracy is Fair play" during the online voting period from May 15 - June 15, 2010.

The statement said as his prize, Yared will receive an all-expensive-paid trip in September to Washington DC, Hollywood and New York City, along with five other Grand Finalists from around the world.

The U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Donald Booth, congratulated Yared for his victory and commented that the win reflected the creativity, talent and diversity of the burgeoning Ethiopian film community.

The ambassador said through evocative images of a popular Ethiopian children's game, Yared's film has resonated with global audiences on the importance of fair play, good sportsmanship and respect for one's opponent in democracy.

Yared expressed his deep appreciation for the support Ethiopians and others nationals had provided in the voting process. --ENA