2025 PSA Contest
2 Contests. $5,000 in prizes. Free to enter.
February 10th - February 21st
Presented by
Contest Theme
Both PSA contests will address the issue of substance misuse. Specific contest prompts will be emailed to teachers on February 10th at 7AM CST. Winning entries may be featured in the 2025 Safe & Sober National Video Program.
Contest Launch
Feb 10 @ 7AM CST
Production
Feb 10 - 21
Deadline
Feb 21 @ 5:00PM CST
Virtual Awards
March 7th
-
#1 "Trapped"
Contest Prompt
Will be delivered via email on Feb 10th at 7AM CST.Hint:This prompt will be journalistic in nature.
First Place
$1,500 ($1,000 team prize + $500 school media program prize)Second Place
$700 team prizeThird Place
$300 team prizeTotal Run Time
30-60 SecondsRules
Grades 6-12 from schools or homeschools in the United States. Up to 4 students per entry. Up to 10 entries per school. Each student is limited to only one entry in only one contest. Teacher / parent participation is discouraged, but is not forbidden. Judges will prioritize “authentic youth voice” over production value. -
#2 "5 Reasons"
Contest Prompt
Will be delivered via email on Feb 10th at 7AM CST.Hint: This prompt will be “social” in nature.
First Place
$1,500 ($1,000 team prize + $500 school media program prize)Second Place
$700 team prizeThird Place
$300 team prizeTotal Run Time
30-60 SecondsRules
Grades 6-12 from schools or homeschools in the United States. Up to 4 students per entry. Up to 10 entries per school. Each student is limited to only one entry in only one contest. Teacher / parent participation is discouraged, but is not forbidden. Judges will prioritize “authentic youth voice” over production value.
FAQ
-
First place entries in each contest will receive a total of $1,000 to be divided equally among all students listed as team members on the entry.
First place entries will also receive $500 for the school’s media program or school.
Second place entries in each contest will receive a total of $700 to be divided equally among all students listed as team members on the entry.
Third place entries in each contest will receive a total of $300 to be divided equally among all students listed as team members the entry.
Actors, talent, or interview subjects will not be considered team members unless they are listed as team members. Each team may have up to 4 students.
-
No. Each individual student may only be listed as a team member on a total of one entry in a total of one contest.
Anyone can appear as an actor / talent / interview subject in as many entries as they wish. Actors, talent, and interview subjects are not considered team members unless they are listed as team members.
-
Yes. The school representing the first place entry in each contest will receive $500. Schools are limited to 10 entries per contest.
-
Yes. Homeschool students may enter. Homeschool parents may enter as teachers and would receive the school’s prize if their student wins first place. The same rules apply to all students.
-
The student-produced PSAs may be used as content by Safe & Sober online and in their nationally distributed substance misuse prevention video program.
Every entry will require release forms from each student 18 years and older and parent/guardian-signed release forms for minor children under 18 years old.
-
Entries will be submitted via online portal. Teachers will receive detailed instructions via email when they register.
Each entry will submit a final version and a “clean” version. A “clean” version is a version of the video with no music/sfx and no graphics.
Each entry will also submit all required release forms for all production crew and anyone who appears on camera.
-
No. Elementary schools and elementary school students are not eligible. Students must be in grades 6-12 to be eligible.
