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 (5-6 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.

C-SPAN awards cash prizes totaling $100,000 to the student filmmakers of the top 150 student documentaries.

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• 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, visit our Prizes page.
  
• Students may compete individually, or in teams of either 2 or 3 members.
  
• Documentaries must include clips of supporting or opposing C-SPAN video that relate to the chosen topic.
  
• 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. We recommend that you interview experts on your chosen subject.
  
• Documentaries must be between 5-6 minutes in length. *End credits, if applicable, must begin after the 5-minute mark but are permitted to run longer than the allotted 6-minute time frame.
  
• Entries must include either end credits or a works cited list. Students can use whichever format they currently use to cite their sources.

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