The Pixel Project, an award-nominated volunteer-led virtual non-profit working to end Violence Against Women (VAW) worldwide, is pleased to announce their second YouTube Cover Carnival contest, which runs until 28 February 2013 in conjunction with the Valentine's Day season. The Valentine 2013 YouTube Cover Carnival is dedicated to the Delhi Gang Rape Victim, Jyoti Singh Pandey, in honour of her courage and strength in fighting her attackers and her injuries to the very end.

Regina Yau, Founder and President of The Pixel Project said: "The Pixel Project has decided to make our Valentine 2013 YouTube Cover Carnival a musical tribute to Ms. Pandey because we believe that her death should not be in vain. We hope that the songs we have chosen for up-and-coming artistes from all over the world to cover in memory of Ms. Pandey will be a positive way of continuing the momentum of the anti-VAW activism her death inspired in communities in India and beyond."

Artistes have two choices of songs to cover, although there will still only be one set of winners. As Valentine's Day is all about love and relationships, The Pixel Project has selected songs that celebrate healthy love that is uplifting and empowering for women and girls worldwide. One of the songs is "Little Things" by One Direction (and written by Ed Sheeran), which portrays a positive, accepting, and loving relationship. The other, Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love Of All," was voted for by the global public for the song's emphasis on valuing and respecting oneself.

The Pixel Project is also excited to have YouTube stars Ali Brustofski, J Rice, Lisa Lavie, and renowned YouTube music producer Mike Kalombo on board the YouTube Cover Carnival. Ms. Brustofski, Mr. Rice, and Ms. Lavie will be joining AHMIR--YouTube's #1 R&B group and The Pixel Project's YouTube Music Ambassador--as the judging panel that selects the final winners. Mr. Kalombo will be donating a production session for the Grand Prize Winner. Ms. Yau said: "Ms. Brustofski, Mr. Rice, Ms. Lavie, and Mr. Kalombo have all cultivated successful music careers via YouTube with huge fan followings. They also have a great track record of using their talents and influence to support worthy causes. We are very pleased to be working with all them."

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a comprehensive package that includes: Free production (including arranging, mixing, and mastering) of one of his or her original songs courtesy of Mike Kalombo from Kalombo Media; a cover song collaboration with J Rice (also produced by J Rice); placement of 3 of their songs on Lost Monkey Studio's catalogue for TV/Film licensing; and having their winning cover included in The Pixel Project's year-end digital album. The winning music video will also be featured on AHMIR's YouTube homepage for 3 days together with a video foreword from AHMIR. With almost 350,000 subscribers (and rising) viewing AHMIR's channel daily, this will be a significant boost for the profile of the Grand Prize Winner.

After the contest submission period closes at 9PM EST, February 28, 2013, 10 semi-finalists will be announced on 7 March 2013, and the public will be given 1 week to vote for 5 finalists. The finalists will be announced on 15 March 2013, and the top three winners will be announced on 21 March 2013. The semi-finalists will be selected by The Pixel Project and AHMIR; the finalists will be chosen by public online voting and the final winners will be selected by the all-star judging panel.

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