C-SPAN has hosted an annual student documentary competition since 2004. Over the last 21 years, many bright and talented young people have ...
THEME: Your Message to the President
What issue is most important to you or your community? Examine your selected topic from multiple perspectives and assess what action(s) the president should take after Inauguration Day.
What is StudentCam?
StudentCam is C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think critically about issues that affect our communities and our nation.
In this presidential election year, we’re asking students in grades 6-12 to create a short (5:00-6:00 minute) video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme, “Your Message to the President.”
The submission deadline for all entries is Inauguration Day on Monday, January 20, 2025.
Once you have completed your video, submit it via the Entry Form. (Google Form)
C-SPAN awards cash prizes totaling $100,000 to the student filmmakers of the top 150 student documentaries.
Join our StudentCam judges for an informative webinar this Thursday, December 19th at 9:00pm ET when we'll answer your questions, discuss the ...
Are you interested in a straightforward opportunity to win a $100 cash prize? Consider sharing photos from behind the scenes of your ...
All entries must be uploaded by 11:59pm (PST) on Inauguration Day - January 20, 2025
All Grades from 6-12
This annual competition is open to all students in grades 6-12. Grades 6-8 compete in the Middle School category, and grades 9-12 compete in the High School category.
For more information about the prize divisions, visit our Prizes page.
compete individually/teams
Students may compete individually, or in teams of either 2 or 3 members.
Should your documentary win a prize, the awarded dollar amount will be split evenly among the students responsible for the production of the documentary.
CLIPS oF C-SPAN FOOTAGE
Documentaries must include clips of C-SPAN video that relate to the chosen topic.
Consider using short clips that provide historical background, additional context, or supporting and opposing ideas about how to address your topic.
viewpoints
Winning StudentCam documentaries will thoroughly explore a variety of viewpoints related to the chosen topic, including those that may oppose the filmmakers points of view.
You are welcome to share your personal point of view but you should also spend time during your documentary exploring opposing points of view. We also highly recommend that you interview experts about their thoughts on your chosen subject.
DOCUMENTARY Length
Your documentary must be between 5:00-6:00 minutes in length.
Documentaries shorter than 5:00 minutes, or longer than 6:00 minutes, will be disqualified.
*End credits (if applicable) must begin after the 5:00 minute mark and are permitted to run longer than the allotted 6:00 minute maximum time frame of your actual documentary.
CITATIONS
Entries must include either end credits or a works cited list.
You may use whichever format you currently use at your school to cite sources, but information used in your research, along with any background music or video (other than C-SPAN footage), must be cited appropriately and clearly, with links to that referenced work.
