(cc) by-sa giopuo/flickr

Take a look at World Builder, the new short film from Bruce Branit, previoulsy creator of '405'. It really pushes the boundaries of what can be termed 'amateur' video, with an absolutely stunning futuristic settling creating an ambitious, evocative and ultimately moving piece.

With industrial-scale 3D animation software available off-the-shelf for consumers, and even as free software, and with home computers now capable of rendering complex CGI animation, it's possible for enthusiasts to create content that rivals that of the big producers. In a downturn, with less ability for the major players to fund new content, we might well see online avenues becoming showcases for the huge talent that hasn't yet been scooped up. Take a look.

(cc) by skenmy/flickr

Battlefront is a site that brings together campaigners - whatever they are campaigning for - and invites them to create short, to-the-point videos to creatively put across their message. The aim is to empower young people to start their own campaigns, and get involved in movements for change. By putting the responsibility in their hands, it engages in a way that top-down messages simply can't, and aims to get a new generation thinking about how they want their world to be.

Created by Raw Television, Airlock and Channel 4 (and accompanied by a C4 series of the same name), the slick site puts video front and centre, with content at the fore, backed up by significant resources in the form of a campaigning handbook and expert advice. It's just been announced that the site has been nominated for a Digital Emmy.

(cc) by totalAldo/flickrCantos (www.cantos.com) is a very interesting case study about niche content vital to a particular audience. Cantos delivers business-focused videos, featuring industry leaders in their own words, to inform the business community. On the whole the videos are paid for by the companies themselves, as a way to delivery their message to the investor community, but this doesn't diminish the value of the content if you're interested in finding out how the company leaders are thinking, or at least what their public statements are on everything from rights and the environment to their bottom line during the downturn.

It's not going to replace your entertainment viewing, or even the Bloomberg Channel, any time soon, but if you looking at how business programming will change, you certainly need to take a look at this site.