Metro, the worldwide syndicate of free daily papers, is running a "Global Photo Challenge" contest for their entire readership -- covering 100 city editions in 20 countries over 4 continents. Local jurors will produce a winner for the United States, which will go on to compete versus international champs. One of the judges for New York is BlackBook's own photo editor Rose Fiorentino, by the way. You too can sit in judgment, as readers can comment and vote for favorite pics. The contest theme is "Urban Jungle," and the ultimate prize is $1,500, a trip for two to Paris, and publication of the winning photo in Metro's various editions. Deadline for submission is October 26.

Iceland ain't doin' to well the days. Bjork's last album received mediocre reviews, they've been excluded from the EU, and they're economy could be in worse shape than ours. So how does a free trip there sound, with a $1,000 spending stipend, an additional $2,000 in cash, and a $500 gift certificate? If anything, you'll be helping the country out. The winner of the "Threadless Loves Travel" contest will score these prizes (among others) for submitting a winning T-shirt design inspired by personal travels. Doesn't necessarily have to be your own travels. In fact, I encourage you to lie outrageously, in design form.

Since the movie Burn After Reading opens today, and since one of its stars, Tilda Swinton, is also the star of our September issue, we remind you once more of our Tilda-related contest. Just spend a few precious, cost-free seconds registering for BlackBook, and you're automatically entered to win scads of movie swag and three Tilda Swinton movies on DVD. The deadline is September 18, but why wait? Go ahead, sign up now. Tilda demands it.

Have you entered our Tilda Swinton-themed Burn After Reading contest yet? Why not? Are you hiding something? All you need do is register for BlackBook, which, like Tilda herself, is free, fast, relatively painless, and androgynously erotic. Register by September 18 to win a pile of movie swag and another pile of Swinton DVDs. Do it now.

Just a gentle reminder to register for BlackBook (it's free & brief) to enter our Tilda Swinton 'Burn After Reading' contest. You can win a bag o' Tilda DVDs and swag from the movie. Deadline is September 18. Sign up now, then go have a pleasant weekend.

In a shocking coincidence, our September cover queen Tilda Swinton stars in the new Coen Brothers movie Burn After Reading. She plays a fiery lust-foil to George Clooney. The movie opens September 12; as an homage, we're offering a pile of Burn After Reading merchandise and a trio of Tilda movies to a randomly selected fortunate soul, chosen from all those who register for BlackBook (it's free!) between now and September 18. More details after the jump.

So Jonathan Jones may have made a valid point in his case against video art. Or maybe what Apexart is doing to bring out the video artist in all of us is noble, and more members of the arts community should be less discerning in their quest to find the next Bill Viola. The Lower Manhattan nonprofit has an open call for submissions through September 10, asking applicants to submit cellphone videos. But that doesn't mean you can't just turn in any video -- like that one time at Pianos when you jumped up on the bar and sang "Valerie."

Speaking of Mad Men, the excellent TV show is running a contest -- by turns amusing and cringe-worthy -- that goads contestants into performing monologues as Mad Men characters. The eventual winner gets a walk-on role in the actual show. Far and away the current favorite at over a thousand votes is Ty Mahany as Don Draper, above. A little Glengarry Glen Ross, but not bad. Contest deadline is August 25, should you care to join the thespianic fray.

For all of you Coachsters out there with an itch to design, your moment is here. Coach is taking design entries for the next limited-edition tote to hit select stores. Visit the website, download the classic prints (the signature “C,” legacy stripe, and logo), then create something you’d love to see on everyone’s arms. But there’s a catch: It’s a contest, though not without prizes. The site advertises shopping sprees, parties, and your design as a limited-edition item. Coach has even released a widget that you can embed on your blog, Facebook, MySpace, etc. so that all your friends can vote for your tote. Start creating now, because there are only 18 more days until the winners are chosen. Andéle!

You may recall the renaming contest held by Chickpea restaurant in New York's East Village. The $1000 winner came up with "Kosher Village" for the new glatt kosher venue. In a similar vein, the old location for Brooklyn's famed Galapagos bar is offering an $1000 bar tab to whoever comes up with their new name. Deadline appears open-ended, so thirsty creatives should submit early and often.