Beginning with the 2025–2026 season, STN is shifting to a skill-based division system for high school contests. This change allows teachers to enter students into contests that best match their current abilities, regardless of program size or STN history. The goal is to create a more fair, flexible, and supportive experience for all students. For full details on the new contest division system, click here.

Open (All Levels)

Action/Thriller Short Film: Get your audience on the edge of their seats. In this category, students will create a short film based on a given prompt that falls into the action or thriller genre. Whether it’s a high-stakes chase, a tense confrontation, or a mysterious twist, your story should deliver suspense, urgency, and strong visual storytelling. Creative camera work, sound design, and pacing are key. Title graphics and credits are required and count toward total runtime. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 6 students

Commentary: Share your voice and your viewpoint. In this category, a single student will deliver a video commentary on a topic of their choice based on a given prompt. The piece should reflect a clear opinion or perspective, supported by reasoning, evidence, or personal experience. While it may be persuasive, the tone can range from serious to humorous. To maintain a strong, personal connection with the audience, only one student should appear on camera. Creative use of visuals, graphics, or sound is encouraged to help engage the audience and strengthen your message. Entry Time Limit: 2 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

NAT Package: Let sound tell the story. In this category, students will produce a feature story based on a given prompt using only natural sound and interview soundbites. No reporter stand-ups or voiceovers allowed. The story should feel complete without narration and must end with a strong, memorable soundbite that leaves a lasting impression. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Podcast: Bring your voice and visuals to life through dynamic storytelling. This category features a general interest podcast episode with a host, soundbites, and creative elements like intro music, transitions, and segments such as news, interviews, or commentary. Submissions must be uploaded as a .MP4 file and include podcast cover artwork. Entry Time Limit: Up to 30 minutes Designed for students of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Entry Time Limit: 10 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

PSA: Make an impact in 30 seconds. Based on a given prompt, students will create a clear, creative message about a current societal issue. Each PSA must include a statement of the issue, a supporting statistic, and a strong call to action. Entries may use live action, animation, or graphics to engage and inform the audience. Entry Time Limit: Exactly 30 seconds | Max team size: 6 students

Sports Podcast: Cover the world of sports with energy, insight, and on-camera personality. In this category, students will create a podcast episode based on a given prompt that focuses on athletic topics, teams, games, or issues. Your episode should feature a host or hosts, include interviews or soundbites, and incorporate creative production elements such as transitions, music, and highlights. Content might include commentary, analysis, athlete features, or behind-the-scenes stories. Designed for students of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Entry Time Limit: 10 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Vertical Feature: Create a compelling feature story, shot and edited entirely in 9:16 vertical format. Based on a given prompt, your story can focus on a person, event, trend, or topic that’s relevant and engaging for a social media audience. Use strong visuals, interviews, b-roll, natural sound, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups to craft a story that’s quick to catch attention and easy to follow in a vertical frame. Entry Time Limit: 2 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Vertical Short Film: Tell a cinematic story made for mobile. This category asks students to create a short film based on a given prompt in vertical 9:16 format. Stories can be in any genre or format, but must include a complete narrative arc from beginning to end. Title graphic and credits are required and count toward the total runtime. Entry Time Limit: 2 minutes or less | Max team size: 6 students

High School Division I (Advanced - 3+ Years Experience)

Arts & Culture Feature: Celebrate creativity and cultural expression. This category invites students to produce a story inspired by a given prompt that focuses on the people and ideas behind the arts, whether visual, musical, theatrical, cinematic, or cultural. You might profile a student artist, explore a community tradition, or go behind the scenes of a performance. These stories should highlight impact, originality, or personal expression. Entries must include interviews, b-roll, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Commercial: Sell it with style. Use a given prompt to develop a 30-second promotional video for an original product, service, brand, or concept. The idea must be created by the student team and not based on any existing name brand. You may promote fictional products, school events, clubs, fundraisers, or even small, locally owned businesses (with permission). Entries may include live action, animation, or graphics but must deliver a message that’s clear, creative, and compelling. Entry Time Limit: Exactly 30 seconds | Max team size: 6 students

Drama Short Film: Tell a story that resonates. In this category, students will produce a narrative short film inspired by a given prompt that explores emotion, conflict, or human connection. Whether it's a relationship, a difficult decision, or a moment of growth, your story should feature compelling characters and a clear emotional arc. Focus on strong performances, thoughtful structure, and visual storytelling. Title graphics and credits are required and count toward total runtime. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 6 students

Human Interest Feature: Shine a light on people with stories worth sharing. Based on a given prompt, this category highlights individuals or groups whose personal experiences, passions, or challenges leave a lasting impact. Whether heartwarming, inspiring, or emotional, these stories should connect with viewers and showcase strong character-driven storytelling. Entries must include interviews, b-roll, natural sound, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Music Video: Visualize the music. Using a given prompt, students will create a cinematic interpretation of a recorded song through performance, storytelling, or visual design. The video should reflect the tone and rhythm of the music, resulting in a cohesive, engaging visual experience. Entry Time Limit: Full length of provided song | Max team size: 6 students

News Story: Deliver the facts with clarity and impact. This category challenges students to create a timely, fact-based story based on a given prompt. Stories must include interviews, b-roll, natural sound, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups, and should answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how. The goal is to inform your audience with accuracy and purpose. Entry Time Limit: 2 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

School & Community Feature: Shine a light on what makes your school or community unique. Based on a given prompt, this category focuses on local events, traditions, issues, or unique programs tied to your campus or the surrounding area. These stories should go beyond the basics to offer context, connection, and meaning. Use strong visuals and a full storytelling package—including interviews, b-roll, natural sound, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Silent Film: Tell a story without saying a word. This category challenges students to produce a film guided by a given prompt with no synchronized dialogue or sound effects. Music is allowed and should support the pacing and emotion of the piece. Use body language, facial expressions, and visual composition to bring the story to life. Title graphic and credits are required and count toward the total runtime. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 6 students

Sports Feature: Go beyond the scoreboard. This category invites students to tell a sports-related story inspired by a given prompt. Focus on the people, passion, and perspective behind athletics—the players, coaches, fans, or culture. Emphasize storytelling that highlights emotion and connection, using action shots, interview soundbites, supporting visuals, voiceovers, and stand-ups. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Vlog: Step in front of the camera and take us through your world. This personal, self-filmed video should respond to a given prompt and reflect the creator’s unique experience or perspective. Vlogs are typically unscripted, first-person, and may include humor, commentary, or behind-the-scenes moments. They are not traditional news packages. They are creative, personality-driven reflections of student life. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 6 students

High School Division II (Intermediate - 1-2 Years of Experience)

Arts & Culture Feature: Celebrate creativity and cultural expression. This category invites students to produce a story inspired by a given prompt that focuses on the people and ideas behind the arts, whether visual, musical, theatrical, cinematic, or cultural. You might profile a student artist, explore a community tradition, or go behind the scenes of a performance. These stories should highlight impact, originality, or personal expression. Entries must include interviews, b-roll, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Commercial: Sell it with style. Use a given prompt to develop a 30-second promotional video for an original product, service, brand, or concept. The idea must be created by the student team and not based on any existing name brand. You may promote fictional products, school events, clubs, fundraisers, or even small, locally owned businesses (with permission). Entries may include live action, animation, or graphics but must deliver a message that’s clear, creative, and compelling. Entry Time Limit: Exactly 30 seconds | Max team size: 6 students

Drama Short Film: Tell a story that resonates. In this category, students will produce a narrative short film inspired by a given prompt that explores emotion, conflict, or human connection. Whether it's a relationship, a difficult decision, or a moment of growth, your story should feature compelling characters and a clear emotional arc. Focus on strong performances, thoughtful structure, and visual storytelling. Title graphics and credits are required and count toward total runtime. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 6 students

Human Interest Feature: Shine a light on people with stories worth sharing. Based on a given prompt, this category highlights individuals or groups whose personal experiences, passions, or challenges leave a lasting impact. Whether heartwarming, inspiring, or emotional, these stories should connect with viewers and showcase strong character-driven storytelling. Entries must include interviews, b-roll, natural sound, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Music Video: Visualize the music. Using a given prompt, students will create a cinematic interpretation of a recorded song through performance, storytelling, or visual design. The video should reflect the tone and rhythm of the music, resulting in a cohesive, engaging visual experience. Entry Time Limit: Full length of provided song | Max team size: 6 students

News Story: Deliver the facts with clarity and impact. This category challenges students to create a timely, fact-based story based on a given prompt. Stories must include interviews, b-roll, natural sound, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups, and should answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how. The goal is to inform your audience with accuracy and purpose. Entry Time Limit: 2 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

School & Community Feature: Shine a light on what makes your school or community unique. Based on a given prompt, this category focuses on local events, traditions, issues, or unique programs tied to your campus or the surrounding area. These stories should go beyond the basics to offer context, connection, and meaning. Use strong visuals and a full storytelling package—including interviews, b-roll, natural sound, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Silent Film: Tell a story without saying a word. This category challenges students to produce a film guided by a given prompt with no synchronized dialogue or sound effects. Music is allowed and should support the pacing and emotion of the piece. Use body language, facial expressions, and visual composition to bring the story to life. Title graphic and credits are required and count toward the total runtime. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 6 students

Sports Feature: Go beyond the scoreboard. This category invites students to tell a sports-related story inspired by a given prompt. Focus on the people, passion, and perspective behind athletics—the players, coaches, fans, or culture. Emphasize storytelling that highlights emotion and connection, using action shots, interview soundbites, supporting visuals, voiceovers, and stand-ups. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Vlog: Step in front of the camera and take us through your world. This personal, self-filmed video should respond to a given prompt and reflect the creator’s unique experience or perspective. Vlogs are typically unscripted, first-person, and may include humor, commentary, or behind-the-scenes moments. They are not traditional news packages. They are creative, personality-driven reflections of student life. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 6 students

High School Division III (Beginner - 1 Year or Less Experience)

Commercial: Sell it with style. Use a given prompt to develop a 30-second promotional video for an original product, service, brand, or concept. The idea must be created by the student team and not based on any existing name brand. You may promote fictional products, school events, clubs, fundraisers, or even small, locally owned businesses (with permission). Entries may include live action, animation, or graphics but must deliver a message that’s clear, creative, and compelling. Entry Time Limit: Exactly 30 seconds | Max team size: 6 students

Human Interest Feature: Shine a light on people with stories worth sharing. Based on a given prompt, this category highlights individuals or groups whose personal experiences, passions, or challenges leave a lasting impact. Whether heartwarming, inspiring, or emotional, these stories should connect with viewers and showcase strong character-driven storytelling. Entries must include interviews, b-roll, natural sound, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

News Story: Deliver the facts with clarity and impact. This category challenges students to create a timely, fact-based story based on a given prompt. Stories must include interviews, b-roll, natural sound, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups, and should answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how. The goal is to inform your audience with accuracy and purpose. Entry Time Limit: 2 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Short Film: This category is for students in their first year of video production. Create an original short film based on a given prompt in any genre—comedy, drama, documentary, or more. Your film should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, with attention to storytelling, pacing, and visual composition. Title graphics and credits are required and count toward the total runtime. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 6 students

Middle School

Commentary: Share your voice and your viewpoint. In this category, a single student will deliver a video commentary on a topic of their choice based on a given prompt. The piece should reflect a clear opinion or perspective, supported by reasoning, evidence, or personal experience. While it may be persuasive, the tone can range from serious to humorous. To maintain a strong, personal connection with the audience, only one student should appear on camera. Creative use of visuals, graphics, or sound is encouraged to help engage the audience and strengthen your message. Entry Time Limit: 2 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Commercial: Sell it with style. Use a given prompt to develop a 30-second promotional video for an original product, service, brand, or concept. The idea must be created by the student team and not based on any existing name brand. You may promote fictional products, school events, clubs, fundraisers, or even small, locally owned businesses (with permission). Entries may include live action, animation, or graphics but must deliver a message that’s clear, creative, and compelling. Entry Time Limit: Exactly 30 seconds | Max team size: 6 students

Human Interest Feature: Shine a light on people with stories worth sharing. Based on a given prompt, this category highlights individuals or groups whose personal experiences, passions, or challenges leave a lasting impact. Whether heartwarming, inspiring, or emotional, these stories should connect with viewers and showcase strong character-driven storytelling. Entries must include interviews, b-roll, natural sound, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

News Story: Deliver the facts with clarity and impact. This category challenges students to create a timely, fact-based story based on a given prompt. Stories must include interviews, b-roll, natural sound, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups, and should answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how. The goal is to inform your audience with accuracy and purpose. Entry Time Limit: 2 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

PSA: Make an impact in 30 seconds. Based on a given prompt, students will create a clear, creative message about a current societal issue. Each PSA must include a statement of the issue, a supporting statistic, and a strong call to action. Entries may use live action, animation, or graphics to engage and inform the audience. Entry Time Limit: Exactly 30 seconds | Max team size: 6 students

School & Community Feature: Shine a light on what makes your school or community unique. Based on a given prompt, this category focuses on local events, traditions, issues, or unique programs tied to your campus or the surrounding area. These stories should go beyond the basics to offer context, connection, and meaning. Use strong visuals and a full storytelling package—including interviews, b-roll, natural sound, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Short Film: Craft a complete cinematic story from start to finish. Based on a given prompt, this category is open to original short filMiddle School in any genre or format, including documentary, live-action, and animation. Entries must include a clear beginning, middle, and end, with strong structure, pacing, and visual storytelling. Title graphic and credits are required and count toward the total runtime. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 6 students

High School Morning Show: Start the day with energy, information, and creativity. In this category, teams will produce a daily-style morning show based on a given prompt. The show should be anchored by a team of hosts and designed to both inform and entertain the audience as they begin their day. Segments may include headline news, lifestyle and human interest stories, sports coverage, weather, or lighthearted infotainment. Think of shows like Today, Good Morning, America, CBS This Morning, etc. Your show must include an intro and outro and may feature a commercial break or other creative elements (not to exceed 45 seconds total). Entry Time Limit: 10 minutes or less | Entry Limit: 1 team per school

High School Newsmagazine: Go deeper than the headlines. In this category, teams will produce a newsmagazine show based on a given prompt, featuring multiple segments that offer context, analysis, and storytelling beyond the basics. Content may include in-depth features, investigative reports, and editorial commentary. This 60 Minutes, 20/20, CBS Sunday Morning, etc. Your show should have a cohesive structure, complete with an intro, outro, and optional creative elements or commercial breaks (not to exceed 45 seconds total). Entry Time Limit: 10 minutes or less | Entry Limit: 1 team per school

Middle School Morning Show: Start the day with energy, information, and creativity. In this category, teams will produce a daily-style morning show based on a given prompt. The show should be anchored by a team of hosts and designed to both inform and entertain the audience as they begin their day. Segments may include headline news, lifestyle and human interest stories, sports coverage, weather, or lighthearted infotainment. Your show must include an intro and outro and may feature a commercial break or other creative elements (not to exceed 45 seconds total). Entry Time Limit: 10 minutes or less | Entry Limit: 1 team per school