Action/Thriller Short Film *New*

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: 5 minutes or less | Max team size: 6 students

Arts, Entertainment & Culture Feature [Division I & II]

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

Comedy Short Film

Make ’em laugh. In this category, students will produce a short film based on a given prompt designed to entertain through humor. Whether situational, character-driven, or visual, your film should showcase a complete story and strong comedic sensibility. Title graphics and credits are required and count toward total runtime. Entry Time Limit: 5 minutes or less | Max team size: 6 students

Commentary *New*

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 [Division I & II]

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

Documentary Short Film

Share a true story that matters. This category honors short-form documentaries that explore real people, places, or issues with authenticity and purpose. Entries should reflect honest storytelling, a clear point of view, and a strong narrative structure that guides the viewer through the subject matter. Visual storytelling, interviews, and supporting footage should work together to deepen understanding and emotional impact. Movie title graphic and credits are required and count toward total runtime. Entry Time Limit: 5 minutes or less | Max team size: 6 students

Drama Short Film [Division I & II] *New*

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: 5 minutes or less | Max team size: 6 students

Human Interest Feature [Division I & II]

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

Lifestyle Feature [Division I & II] *New*

Capture the spirit of student life. Using a given prompt as a starting point, students will explore current trends, routines, and relatable moments that reflect campus culture. From fashion and food to morning routines and school hacks, lifestyle features should be upbeat, visual, and relevant. These stories are more playful and slice-of-life in tone, but still require a journalistic structure with interviews, b-roll, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Live Sports Event

Show your skills in real time. Submit an uninterrupted clip from a live-to-tape sporting event that highlights your technical production and storytelling. Based on a given prompt, the clip must include at least one camera angle, graphics, and a play-by-play announcer. Choose a section that showcases your best live production work. 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

NAT Package *New*

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

News Story [Division I & II]

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

Novice Feature - First Year Video Students Only! *New*

This category is designed for students in their first year of broadcast or video production. Create a short feature story based on a given prompt that highlights a person, place, event, or topic in an engaging and thoughtful way. Your story must include interviews, b-roll, natural sound, voiceovers, and reporter stand-ups. Focus on human interest over hard news, and aim to tell a complete, well-structured story that connects with your audience. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Novice Short Film - First Year Video Students Only! *New*

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

Original Segment *New*

Create a pre-produced, standalone segment that could air as part of a broadcast show. This category celebrates creative content that doesn’t fit the structure of a traditional news package. Segments may be comedic, informative, artistic, or narrative in tone, but they should feel polished, purposeful, and broadcast-ready. Think satirical skits, how-to segments, lifestyle breakdowns, creatively edited montages, talk-show mini segments, or parodies of popular formats. This is your chance to experiment with voice, format, and style while maintaining strong production value. Entry Time Limit: 3 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Podcast

Bring your voice to life through sound and storytelling. In this category, students will produce a single episode of a general interest podcast based on a given prompt. Content may include interviews, news, commentary, or a combination of all three. Entries must feature a host, include soundbites, and demonstrate thoughtful pacing and structure. Creative elements such as intro music and transitions are encouraged. Submissions must be uploaded as a .MP4 video file with cover artwork. Entry Time Limit: 10 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

PSA [Division I & II]

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 [Division I & II]

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 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

School Promo [Division I & II]

Bring the energy and show off what makes your school stand out! A school promo is a fast-paced, visually exciting video that builds pride, school spirit, or anticipation for something big, like a new year, big event, or sports season. Think of it like a hype video that gets people fired up. It should focus on emotion, visuals, and momentum rather than selling or advertising a product or service. This is not a commercial with a pitch. It's about creating a vibe! Entry Time Limit: 60 seconds or less | Max team size: 6 students

Show Open *New*

Start strong and set the tone. This category challenges students to create a dynamic and engaging show open that introduces a regularly produced news, sports, or feature show. The open should include music, motion graphics, titles, and/or visuals that reflect the show's brand and energy. It must be original, polished, and designed to hook the audience in the first few seconds. No full episodes. Only the opening segment should be submitted. Entry Time Limit: 30 seconds or less | Max team size: 4 students

Silent Film [Division I & II]

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 [Division I & II]

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

Sports Highlight

Relive the action through powerful edits. This category features a fast-paced edit of game highlights based on a given prompt. Include play-by-play or reporter narration, key plays, stats, and context. Your goal is to create a highlight reel that is both informative and entertaining, with strong technical and editorial choices. Entry Time Limit: 2 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students

Sports Podcast *New*

Cover the world of sports with energy, insight, and 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 include a host or hosts, interviews or soundbites, and creative audio elements like intro music, transitions, or highlights. Content might include commentary, analysis, athlete features, or behind-the-scenes stories. Submissions must be uploaded as a .MP4 video file with podcast cover artwork. 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

Vlog [Division I & II]

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

Weather Report

Forecast with flair. In this category, students will create a weather segment based on a given prompt. The report should feature an on-camera reporter using visuals and graphics to explain local or national weather conditions. Your goal is to make weather informative, clear, and engaging for the audience. Entry Time Limit: 2 minutes or less | Max team size: 4 students