Youth Eco Film Contest: Spotlight on Storytelling
Sponsored by Rotary District 5400
Calling all filmmakers ages of 12 to19! Youth are encouraged to submit a two to three minute video highlighting a local story related to the environment. The wining films will be shown at multiple screening events and winners will receive cash prizes.
“This is an exciting opportunity for young people who want to make a difference. The contest allows students to highlight a story to inspire environmental action and awareness.”
Linda Engle, Chair of ESAT
5 Opportunities to win
$1,000 for first place
$750 for second place
$500 for third place
$200 for each of two honorable mentions
How films are judged
1 – Does the story have a beginning, middle, and an end?
2 – Does the film contain information that is well-researched, accurate, and relevant?
3 – Is the film science-based?
4 – Does the film hold the audience’s attention and is it compelling?
Questions
call or text Liz Alexander at 208-703-3831 or email Lindarsengle@gmail.com.
See Details and Official Rules Below
Official Rules
The Youth Eco Film Contest: Spotlight on Environmental Storytelling is sponsored by Rotary District 5400’s Environmental Sustainability Action Team (ESAT), which extends across southern Idaho and into eastern Oregon. ESAT’s mission is to promote and facilitate stewardship projects and sustainability practices in support of Rotary’s environmental area of focus.
The contest encourages participants to explore a wide range of topics related to environmental conservation.
Possible Story Themes:
Recycling
Circular economy
Food waste – restaurants, grocery stories, etc
Climate change effects – drought, forest fire
Renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal)
The impact of a whole food plant based diet
Regenerative agriculture
New carbon free cement
Businesses that have installed solar power
Your families’ electric vehicle story
Transitioning to electric buses
Microplastics – “we eat a credit card a week”
Community solar
Innovative energy storage solutions
Remediated superfund site (Brownfields to Brightfields)
Medical conditions that are environmentally related or caused by climate change.
The deadline for registration and submission is March 2, 2025. We encourage all interested students to register early to get a head start on content creation. A teacher, parent, or guardian must be listed on the registration form. To take part in this exciting opportunity, interested students should register here.
Submission Details:
Video File Format and Submission Information:
Videos should be horizontal orientation (landscape format, wider than it is tall)
Aspect ratio of 16:9, but 3:2 will work also.
File types MP3, MOV. (If you are filming in other formats, please convert to MP3 or MOV before submission)
For help with music contact Kevin Bradshaw at: kevinbradshaw26@gmail.com
Upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo and send the film link to: kevinbradshaw26@gmail.com
Write your film’s theme in 1 to 3 sentences maximum and include that in the video description or send it to Kevin Bradshaw’s email above.
Cash Prizes
Cash prizes to be awarded will be $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place, $500 for third place, and $200 for honorable mentions. Around Earth Day in April, winning films will be shown at multiple venues across the state with possible opportunities for filmmakers to discuss their work.
Films will be judged by the following criteria:
About Rotary District 5400
Rotary District 5400 is comprised of 40 clubs across southern Idaho and eastern Oregon. The service clubs are part of Rotary International, an organization of 1.4 million people around the world who work together to protect the environment, promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; save mothers and children, support education, and grow local economies.
Youth Eco Film Contest
Winners for 2024
1st Place $1,000: Elizabeth Beutler
2nd Place $750: Ella Driever
3rd Place $500: Maliah Clawson
See the videos
