Contest Prompt

Create a 30-60 second news feature story about someone who is or who was addicted to vaping nicotine at some point in their life. Your story must feature an interview with this person. B-roll is encouraged, but not required.

The focus of your story: “Trapped”

Rules

You will need to submit a signed release form for everyone on your team and anyone who appears on camera. If you choose to hide the identity of your interview subject, they do not need to provide a release form.

Up to 4 students per entry.

Up to 10 entries per school.

Each student is limited to only one entry. No student may be on both a “trapped” and a “5 Reasons” entry.

Video must be delivered in 16x9 format. Horizontal. not vertical.

You must submit 2 versions of your entry as two separate video files:

1. A final version.

2. If music is in your final version, you will need to render and upload a duplicate version without music.

Allowed elements:

You may disguise their identity if they wish. You may disguise their voice if they wish.

Your interview subject does not need to appear on camera.

Your interview subject may read something they wrote if they like.

You may get creative with your visuals / b-roll / nat sound but the actual interview, the core of the story, must be authentic, factual, and journalistic in nature.

You may use music if you provide the license or written permission when you submit your entry.

Restricted elements (Will result in automatic disqualification):

Interview content should not be faked. If content seems fake, contest judges will be in touch with the sponsoring teacher to confirm authenticity.

No nicotine products may appear in the video, real or fake props. No shots or reenactments of smoking, vaping or nicotine use of any kind. You may use illustrations, but they must be created by members of the team.

No stock footage or images.

No AI created images, video, or graphics.

Vertical entries in the “Trapped” contest will be disqualified.

Tips

Use an external microphone to record your interview, not an on-camera mic.

Good storytelling with good sound is by far the most important thing to the judges.

B-roll with natural sound is going to help a lot.

Prize Pool

First Place
$1,500 ($1,000 team prize + $500 school media program prize)

Second Place
$700 team prize

Third Place
$300 team prize

Total Run Time
30-60 Seconds

Eligibility
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.

Contest Prompt

Create a commentary-style PSA about the top 5 reasons vaping nicotine is not a good idea.

Time Requirement: 30-60 Seconds.

You may go any direction you wish. Serious. Funny. Whatever, as long as it follows the prompt.

Rules

You will need to submit a signed release form for everyone on your team and anyone who appears in the video.

Up to 4 students per entry.

Up to 10 entries per school.

Each student is limited to only one entry. No student may be on both a “trapped” and a “5 Reasons” entry.

Video must be delivered in 9x16 format (Vertical Video).

You must submit 2 versions of your entry as two separate video files:

1. A final version.

2. If music is in your final version, you will need to render and upload a duplicate version without music.

Allowed elements

You may use music if you provide the license or written permission when you submit your entry.

Restricted elements (Will result in automatic disqualification):

No nicotine products may appear in the video, real or fake props. No shots or reenactments of smoking, vaping or nicotine use of any kind. You may use illustrations, but they must be created by members of the team.

No stock footage or images.

No AI created images, video, or graphics.

Prize Pool

First Place
$1,500 ($1,000 team prize + $500 school media program prize)

Second Place
$700 team prize

Third Place
$300 team prize

Total Run Time
30-60 Seconds

Eligibility
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.