Youth Free Expression Film Contest

Awarded By:

National Coalition Against Censorship

Number of Awards & Eligibility: Three awards offered annually. The first place winner will receive a cash award and scholarship to the New York Film Academy, and the second and third place winners will receive cash awards.

Description: U.S. residents aged 19 or younger are eligible to enter this film-making contest. Students must submit a four-minute film on a specified censorship topic.

Application requirements for the Youth Free Expression Film Contest are:

• Application form
• Essay
• Short film

Additional Information: All members of the filmmaking crew must be age 19 or younger on the day the film is submitted. Actors or interviewees in the film can be any age. If working under the direction of a teacher, mentor, or parent, that person must describe his/her role in detail. All films must be produced in the year of the contest. Films may be submitted by teams; however, please note that for each winning film, travel and lodging will be provided for a maximum of two people and any prize money and scholarships will be split evenly among the team members. Films will be judged on content, artistic and technical merit, and creativity. Judges will be drawn from a panel of renowned writers, actors, and filmmakers. Winning filmmakers will be asked to submit a DVD copy of their film and to sign a release form granting the National Coalition Against Censorship the rights to use, display or distribute the film in carrying out the National Coalition Against Censorship's educational mission. The National Coalition Against Censorship does not limit the original creator's use of the work in any way.

Award Amount: The first place winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize, the second place winner will receive a $500 cash prize, and the third place winner will receive a $250 cash prize. The first place winner will also receive a $5,000 scholarship to the New York Film Academy, in addition to a one-week digital filmmaking workshop. All three winners will receive a trip with a guest to New York City to attend the Youth Voices Uncensored event in the sprin and a one-year complimentary student membership to the Rubin Museum of Art.  The total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $2,250.