IFC.com started trying to incentivize its user-generated video site a while ago with contests and prizes - now some of them aren't looking too bad. Some offer money to use towards film production, some offer non-cash prizes but include the opportunity to gain visibility in the film industry. Recently a duo of independent film makers won the opportunity to have their own series financed by IFC; there is another contest that asks for a short film that captures your vision of an idealistic, or "Absolut" world (product placement, much?). But it looks cool because just about anything goes for these shorts, and the winner gets an all-expenses paid trip to the AFI Festival in Dallas this November. Plus their video will be featured at the festival... not bad press!
Hit up the contest site, [url=http://www.ifc.com/absolut_indies/contest]http://www.ifc.com/absolut_ind... to submit stuff. There's more contests at the main media lab site ([url=http://www.ifc.com/medialab]http://www.ifc.com/medialab[/url]): one for documentaries and another based on the Rooftop Films series that have been showing in NYC. Good luck, all!