studentcam challenge

C-SPAN’s StudentCam returns for its 21st year, continuing to challenge students across the country to think critically about issues that affect their lives. This year’s theme — “Your Message to the President: What issue is most important to you or your community?” — asks students to address a topic from multiple perspectives and assess what action(s) the president should take after Inauguration Day.
 
C-SPAN and its cable and satellite television partners invite middle and high school student filmmakers of all levels to enter the documentary contest which awards $100,000 in cash prizes.
 
The C-SPAN Education Foundation annually awards 150 student and 53 teacher cash prizes. The grand-prize winner will receive $5,000, and multiple cash prizes of $3,000, $1,500, $750 and $250 will be awarded to students in first, second and third places, as well as honorable mention categories.

“With the upcoming November election, C-SPAN is looking for students across the country to delve into the heart of the issues they want to see addressed by the new presidential administration and to tell us why they are important to them,” said Craig McAndrew, director of C-SPAN Education Relations. “We hope to engage the next generation of young adults in an exploration of topics they are passionate about and that will affect their futures.”

Competition Guidelines
 

  • Middle school students (grades 6–8) and high school students (grades 9–12) may compete individually or in teams composed of two or three members.
  • Documentaries must be the original work of students; however, teachers may provide guidance and critiques.
  • All documentaries must include C-SPAN video clips that support the chosen topic and are used effectively.
  • StudentCam documentaries should comprehensively represent a variety of viewpoints related to the chosen topic, including those that may oppose the filmmakers’ points of view.
  • Documentaries must be between 5 and 6 minutes in length.
  • Entries must include sources, either in the end credits or an emailed works cited list.
  • Video submissions and entry forms can be uploaded directly online at studentcam.org.
  • The deadline for students to submit entries is midnight PST, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

 
The documentaries will be judged by a panel of C-SPAN representatives. Middle school students will be judged on a national basis. High school students will compete on a regional level, with the United States divided into three regions: West, Central and East. The grand-prize winner with the best overall entry will be selected nationally from both middle and high school entries.
 
Winners will be announced in March 2025, with the top winning videos to air on C‑SPAN in April 2025. Competition details are available at studentcam.org.