Youth Eco Film Contest
Sponsored by Rotary District 5400
The 2026 Eco Film Contest will open soon! High school students will be encouraged to submit a video highlighting a local story related to the environment. The wining films 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
2025 Winners
1st Place: $1,000 Sketch Alley Productions
from Idaho Home Learning Academy Boise, ID
2nd Place: $750 One Week Production
from Robert Stuart Middle School Twin Falls, ID
3rd Place: $500 Maliah Clawson
Boise High- Boise, ID
See all the winning videos
2024 Winners
1st Place: $1,000: Elizabeth Beutler
Soda Springs, ID
2nd Place: $750: Ella Driever
Boise High- Boise, ID
3rd Place: $500 Maliah Clawson
Boise High- Boise, ID
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 – Storytelling & Narrative
2 – Relevance to Eco-Theme
3 – Impact and Inspiring Hope
4 – Technical Quality
Questions
call or text Liz Alexander
at 208-703-3831
or email
ESATRotary5400@gmail.com.
See Details and Official Rules Below
2025 Contest Details
The Youth Eco Film Contest 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.
2025 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: ESATRotary5400@gmail.com
Write your film’s theme and storyline in 1 to 3 sentences maximum and include that in the video description.
Upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo and send the film link and description to: ESATRotary5400@gmail.com
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.
2025 Submitted Films were judged by the following criteria:
1. Storytelling and Narrative (25%)
Clarity of Message and Quality of Story: Does the story convey a clear and impactful story about the environment or sustainability that leaves the audience with hope for the future?
2. Relevance to Eco-Theme (25%)
Connection to Eco-Issue and Solutions: Does the film address an environmental challenge and how that challenge can be resolved?
Is the Content Science-Based: Is the story based on scientific facts?
3. Impact and Inspiring Hope (25%)
Audience Engagement: Is the narrative compelling and likely to stick with the audience after viewing? Does the film engage the audience emotionally, inspiring reflection or action?
4. Technical Quality (25%)
Production Value: Are the visuals, sound, and editing polished?
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.
