Film your response in 4 minutes or less and earn the chance to win up to $1000 and a free trip to NYC for a gala awards ceremony! (see below for more details)

Download Entry Forms Word Doc or PDF or just print out below.

NATIONAL COALITION AGAINST CENSORSHIP
invites you to enter its annual film contest

“My Vote For Free Speech!”

Film your First Amendment message for the chance
to win up to $1,000, a sholarship to the New York Film Academy
and a free trip to New York City!

It's an election year: In four minutes or less, film a message to the next President about what free speech issue you think is most important to our country.  Be creative, compelling, and provocative: think outside the box!  Whether through animation, music video, documentary, experimental form, fictional narrative, satire or an old-fashioned propaganda reel, surprise us and find the best way to get your voice heard.

Contestants must be U.S. residents, age 19 or younger, on the day the film is submitted.  Entries can be videos of any kind, including documentary, animation, experimental, and music, and must be postmarked no later than Friday, August 15th, 2008.  Films will be judged on content, artistic and technical merit, and creativity.  Judges will be drawn from a panel of renowned writers, actors, and filmmakers, who in the past have included Oscar and Tony award winners, among other distinguished honors. The top three winners will receive prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250, and scholarships to the New York Film Academy's digital filmaking workshops. The winners will also be flown to NYC to accept their awards and have their films screened at a gala event in October.

 

Free Speech and Democracy Film Contest Rules

1. All films must be on DVD+R, DVD-R, or VHS format.

2. Films cannot exceed four minutes, including credits.

3. All films must be produced in 2008 and address the topic “My Vote For Free Speech: It's an election year: In four minutes or less, film a message to the next President about what free speech issue you think is most important to our country."

4. All members of the filmmaking crew must be age 19 or younger on the day the film is submitted. Actors or interviewees in the film can be any age.  If working under the direction of a teacher, mentor, or parent, that person must describe his/her role in detail.

6. Films may be submitted by teams, however please note that for each winning film travel and lodging can only be accommodated for two winners (or one winner and chaperone if under 18) and the prize money and scholarships will be split evenly among the team members.

5. All entries must be accompanied by a page-long written report (approximately 250-500 words) that explains the intent in making the film, the creative process, and technical accomplishments. All participants should be identified and their roles in the film stated.

6. Filmmakers must either be current or permanent residents of the United States or its territories (such as Puerto Rico) or be U.S. citizens living abroad.

7. All entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, August 15, 2008.

NATIONAL COALITION AGAINST CENSORSHIP

 “My Vote for Free Speech!” Film Contest

2008 Entry Form

Each filmmaker MUST fill out and submit an Entry Form.

FILMMAKER’S INFORMATION

Name: ____________________________________________________

Mailing Address:                      _ Home       _ School     _ Organization
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Telephone number:     _ Home       _ School     _ Organization
__________________________________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________

Age: ____________   _ Male         _ Female

Grade (if applicable): ________

 

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Title of Submission: __________________________________________

Length: __________   Format:           _ DVD        _ VHS                                

 

This film was created at (check as many as apply):

_ Youth media organization. Name of organization: _____________________________
_ Class at school. Name of school: __________________________________________
_ Film camp. Name of camp: ______________________________________________
_ Home.
_ Other.  Please describe: _________________________________________________


Film crew’s main contact name: ____________________phone: _____________________

Email: __________________________________________________________________

 

Names and ages of film crew: ____________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

 

SCHOOL/ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

School/Organization Name (if applicable): ____________________________       __

School/Organization Address:
____________________________________________________________        ____
___________________________________________________________        _____

School/Organization Phone Number: ________________________________        __   

School/Organization Website: _______________________________________ ____

Teacher/Advisor at School/Organization: _________________________________ _

 

HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THIS CONTEST? (check as many as apply):

_ Website.  Name of website: ___________________________________  ____  ___ 
_ Social networking site.  Name of site: ___________________________  ________
_ School/teacher. Name of school: _______________________________  ________
_ Film camp. Name of camp: ____________________________________  _______
_ Youth media organization.  Name of org: __________________________  ______
_ Postcard/mailing
_ Email announcement.  From whom (teacher, friend, listserv, etc.):______   _______
_ YFEN workshop or presentation.  Where?: ________________________   _______
_ Newspaper or online media source.  Which one?: ___________________   _______
_ Other.  Describe: ____________________________________________  ________

 

CHECKLIST: Please review this list before mailing in your submission!

_ The film in VHS, DVD+R or DVD-R format
_ One-page written narrative describing the creative process behind the film
_ Completed Entry Form
_ Signed Contest Release Form

Submissions must be postmarked by Friday, August 15th, 2008 and sent to:
 
“My Vote for Free Speech!” Film Contest
National Coalition Against Censorship
275 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1504
New York, NY 10001

 

NATIONAL COALITION AGAINST CENSORSHIP

“My Vote for Free Speech!” 2008 Film Contest

RELEASE FORM

Please Note:  Release should be signed by you and by your parent/legal guardian if you are under 18:

Thank you for participating in the National Coalition Against Censorship’s “My Vote for Free Speech!” film contest. By entering this contest, you certify that the enclosed film is your own original creation, and you consent to the use of your name, image and photograph and use of your film by the National Coalition Against Censorship or its designees. You also grant the National Coalition Against Censorship the rights to use, display or distribute the film in carrying out the National Coalition Against Censorship’s educational mission. The National Coalition Against Censorship does not limit the original creator of the work to use it in any way. However, should this film win a distinction in the contest, all future screenings or submissions of it must be accompanied by the tagline “This film was created for the National Coalition Against Censorship” in the credits.

I have read this page completely and agree and acknowledge all of its statements. I hereby certify that I am at least 18 years old. (If you are not 18, your parent/legal guardian must sign this release as well.)

Signature of Filmmaker                       Date                Date of Birth               Print Name     

________________________________________________________________________

I am the parent/guardian of the minor above and as such am fully authorized and entitled to enter into this agreement on her/his behalf.

Signature of Parent/Guardian             Date                Print Name             Relation to Minor
           
________________________________________________________________________

YFEN is a coalition of teens and adults committed to defending the free expression rights of youth. Visit www.ncac.org/YFEN.cfm for more information about past film contests and other ways to get involved in the fight against censorship!

Back to Top