Environmental Challenge
News Challenge: Share the Facts
Mini Doc: Me, My Strengths & I
Video Time Capsule
PSA Challenge: Census 2020
Eligibility
Prizes in Categories:
Grades 5-8
Grades 9-12
Cost
FREE
Equipment
Whatever tech you have access to!
Phones – Tablets – DSLRs
Mobile editing apps or
advanced computer software!
The winning Environmental Challenge videos have been announced! Check them out below, and congratulations to everyone who submitted.
High School Category:
The Story of One Water Bottle by filmmakers Hiral C., Ricardo R., Gianna V., and Christina S.
Untitled Environmental Video by filmmakers Jonathan M., Morgan A., Tommy S., and Mariah W.
Middle School Category:
Plastic in the Big River by filmmakers Gabby W., Lucy F., Natalie L., and Stephanie C.
Untitled Interview with An Environmental Influencer by filmmakers Penelope F., Sasha K., Eisa H., and Azalea V.
You can check out all of the videos submitted on the Fresh Films YouTube Channel.
In this challenging time, it’s more important than ever to express, create, and connect with others. The Fresh Films Video Challenges allow you to do just that! And along the way, you’ll learn some pretty awesome documentary film and storytelling skills that you can use in other classes, for college applications and beyond. So grab a phone or tablet and follow our guides & tutorials to create your video!
P.S. This program is for all filmmaking abilities! Haven’t done many films? No worries! Check our our resources below or join our virtual fall program to work on this challenge on a team!
Environmental Short
September 15 Submissions Open
November 15 Challenge Closes
December 15 Challenge Winners Announced
Supported by
CHALLENGE INSTRUCTIONS
Are you passionate about the environment? Make a short film on environmental issues relating to the Mississippi River. Your challenge entry will be considered as part of the QC Environmental Film Series Student Video Competition.
In partnership with River Action, we will be accepting 3-5 minute video starting September 15. This challenge is really open-ended – if you’re looking for some more direction, consider joining our in-person OR virtual fall filmmaking program, where this will be our first project. Find your program and apply here.
Winning videos will receive a $100 cash prize. Winning videos will be shown during the 2021 QC Environmental Film Series, be featured in an article in the Eddy Magazine and on Fresh Films Platforms. Students may work on their videos individually or in teams.
Video Style and Length: Videos must be 3-5 minutes in length and can be created in any style (music video, narrative, documentary, etc.) We encourage you to get creative!
- Upload your video to YouTube and tag #freshfilms in the title. Note: If your video is selected as a winner, we will need your original high-resolution file as well for screening purposes.
- Submit your entry details and the link to your video through the application form below. Note: If you are 12 or under, your parent or guardian must sign and upload a COPPA form along with your entry.
PAST CHALLENGES
They may be closed for prizing, but you can still submit for practice and a chance to be featured on the Fresh Films YouTube channel.
PSA Challenge:
U.S. Census 2020
June 29 Challenge Opens
July 27 Challenge Closes
August 3 Challenge Winners Announced
Supported by
CHALLENGE INSTRUCTIONS
The government needs people to fill out the 2020 U.S. Census. The more people who complete the Census, the more funding communities get for healthcare, education, roads, and other services. Everyone needs to be counted.
That’s why we want you to create impactful, accurate, inspiring, funny, creative, and culturally relevant videos that will educate your community about the 2020 Census and motivate hard-to-count communities to fill out the Census reminding them that it’s not too late to respond online, by phone or mail.
Videos can be any style (music video, narrative, documentary, etc.) We encourage you to get creative! All videos must be:30-seconds in length and include a call to action to take the census (via phone or at my2020census.gov!)
Video Challenges are closed for prizes, but you can still submit for practice, feedback, and your chance to have your work featured by Fresh Films!
- Read the Project Guide
- Make your video! Remember, it must be 30 seconds.
- Upload your video to YouTube and tag #freshfilms in the title.
- Submit your entry details and the link to your video through the application form below. Note: If you are 12 or under, your parent or guardian must sign and upload a COPPA form along with your entry.
See Challenge Winners:
Thanh To
Video Time Capsule
May 26 Challenge Opens
June 15 Submission Deadline
June 24 Challenge 3 Winners Announced
Project Guide (PDF Download)
Project How-To Video
Other Resources:
Filming on your Phone (Video)
Audio Tips and Tricks (Video)
Lighting Tips and Tricks (Video)
Editing on Your Phone pt. 1 (Video)
Editing on Your Phone pt. 2 (Video)
Professional Video Editing (Video)
Adding Graphics to Video (Video)
Mobile Editing App Guide (PDF)
CHALLENGE INSTRUCTIONS
Video Challenges are closed for prizes, but you can still submit for practice, feedback, and your chance to have your work featured by Fresh Films!
To submit your video:
- Watch the How-To video below
- Read the Project Guide
- Make your video! Remember, it must be 3 minutes or less.
- Upload your video to YouTube and tag #freshfilms in the title.
- Submit your entry details and the link to your video through the application form below. Note: If you are 12 or under, your parent or guardian must sign and upload a COPPA form along with your entry.
Have questions? Stuck on your project? Log in to Google Hangouts at the link below on Wednesdays or Thursdays at 4 pm CT (2 pm PT, 5 pm ET) to connect with us live and get the help you need on your video production! Google Hangout Link
*All June Video Challenge projects will be featured on the Fresh Films YouTube channel provided they are appropriate and follow our project guidelines
See Challenge Winners:
Sujan Shadrak
Josephine Spanier
Mini Doc Challenge:
Me My Strengths & I
May 4 Challenge Opens
May 25 Submission Deadline
June 3 Challenge Winners Announced
Project Guide (PDF Download)
Script and Shot List (PDF Download)
Project How-To Video
Other Resources:
Filming on your Phone (Video)
Audio Tips and Tricks (Video)
Lighting Tips and Tricks (Video)
Editing on Your Phone pt. 1 (Video)
Editing on Your Phone pt. 2 (Video)
Professional Video Editing (Video)
Adding Graphics to Video (Video)
Mobile Editing App Guide (PDF)
CHALLENGE INSTRUCTIONS
After a quick online survey, you will learn your top character strengths and be guided through a video project to create a 1-2 minute documentary about you that shows how you embody those traits. You’ll interview another person to see if they agree with the assessment and share how you can use your unique traits to make a difference – especially in this time!
The May Video Challenge is closed for prizing, but you can still submit for practice, feedback, and your chance to have your work featured by Fresh Films!
To submit your video:
- Watch the How-To video below
- Read the Project Guide
- Make your video! Remember, it must be 2 minutes or less.
- Upload your video to YouTube and tag #freshfilms in the title.
- Submit your entry details and the link to your video through the application form below. Note: If you are 12 or under, your parent or guardian must sign and upload a COPPA form along with your entry.
See Challenge Winners:
Amya Wiggins
Al Newton
News Challenge:
Share The FACTS. Share Your FEELINGS. Share Some GOOD.
April 14 Challenge Opens
May 3 Submission Deadline
May 12 Challenge Winners Announced
Project Guide (PDF Download)
Project How-To Video
Other Resources:
Filming on your Phone (Video)
Audio Tips and Tricks (Video)
Lighting Tips and Tricks (Video)
Editing on Your Phone pt. 1 (Video)
Editing on Your Phone pt. 2 (Video)
Professional Video Editing (Video)
Adding Graphics to Video (Video)
Mobile Editing App Guide (PDF)
CHALLENGE INSTRUCTIONS
For this challenge, you’ll create a 2-minute documentary-style video about the impact of news on you and the world around you. You’ll be provided step-by-step instructions to create the content for your video, but we encourage you to be creative during the process!
You’ll gain skills in investigative journalism and documentary creation as you capture a moment in history. You’ll also be expressing your feelings and spreading hope by documenting the good you see.
To submit your video:
- Watch the How-To video below
- Read the Project Guide
- Make your video! Remember, it must be 2 minutes or less.
- Upload your video to YouTube and tag #freshfilms in the title.
- Submit your entry details and the link to your video through the application form below. Note: If you are 12 or under, your parent or guardian must sign and upload a COPPA form along with your entry.
See Challenge Winners:
Cornell Franklin-Smith
Alan Barnes
Produced in Partnership with
Fresh Films is located on campus of Augustana College where students get year-round opportunities to
work in TV and Film and can also take courses or major or minor in Entertainment/Media (film).
The Video Challenge program was designed by Fresh Films professional filmmakers and
Augustana College faculty. More info here