Aspiring filmmakers can win $5,000 in cash and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in a new “Small Business Works for America” video contest sponsored by America’s leading small business association, the National Federation of Independent Business.

Video artists simply need to create a 30-second clip that answers the question “Why does small business work for America ?” and submit the video to NFIB. After an initial review, entries will be posted on the NFIB YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/NFIBContest where viewers can rate them. A panel of judges will use those ratings to select semifinalists and an overall winner, who will receive a $5,000 cash award and a trip for two to Washington, D.C., including a stay at the Grand Hyatt Hotel for the 2008 National Small Business Summit June 8 – 11.

The 2008 National Small Business Summit, “We Are Stronger Together,” presented by the National Federation of Independent Business and eBay, brings together small business owners from around the country to meet their lawmakers face-to-face and share their experiences about how Washington , D.C. decisions affect small businesses. The Summit will focus on top small business legislative priorities, including healthcare reform efforts, and also will examine the political landscape leading into the November elections.

This year’s speakers include Todd Stottlemyer, NFIB president and CEO, Meg Whitman, former president and CEO of eBay, former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, and Roger Staubach, founder of The Staubach Co. and a member of the NFL Hall of Fame. For more information about the Summit , go to http://www.NFIB.com/summit.

Entries will be accepted up to May 15. Details for participating in the “Small Business Works for America ” contest are at http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_36708.html