One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest - Middle School (Grade 6-8)
$200 Cash Prize + $200 Grant
Global environmental short-film contest for middle school students in Grades 6-8 with a $200 cash prize and matching grant.
Mode
Online
Fee
Free
Participation format
Individual and team
Teams of 1 to 10
Duration
3–8 minutes; animation minimum 45 seconds.
Time needed
Depends on the time taken to make the entry
Eligibility
Open to middle school students in Grades 6 to 8 (ages 11 to 14) globally, including India. International entrants must be affiliated with an approved school or institution that signs the contest's International Institution Letter Agreement. Films must address one of seven sustainability topics with a problem-and-solution focus.
- Grade level
- Grade 6 to 8
- Age range
- 11 to 14 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Prerequisites
- Affiliation with an approved school or institution
- Signed parent or guardian permission for entrants under 18
- Selection of one of the seven listed sustainability topics
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
$200
Middle School category winners receive a $200 cash prize plus a $200 matching grant directed to a nonprofit of the winner's choice. International winners choose from three sponsor-proposed United States nonprofits.
Recognition
International film festival screening
Skills your child builds
Key dates
- Registration opens
- 1 May 2027
- Registration closes
- 25 Jun 2027
Online · Film Freeway
How to apply
- 1Choose one of the seven sustainability topics and develop a problem-and-solution short film concept
- 2Produce a live-action film between 3 and 8 minutes, or an animated film of at least 45 seconds
- 3Create a Film Freeway account and submit the film through the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest page
- 4Complete the online oath and permission form, with a parent or guardian signature for entrants under 18
- 5International entrants submit a signed Affiliated International Institution Letter Agreement from their school
Rules and guidelines
- One entry per person or group, regardless of category
- Live-action films must be between 3 and 8 minutes long
- Animated and stop-motion films must be at least 45 seconds long
- Group submissions are placed in the age category of the oldest member, and a single prize is awarded to the group as a whole
- Entrants in Grade 11 and below must address one of the seven listed sustainability topics with a clear problem and proposed solution
- International winners select a matching grant recipient from three sponsor-proposed United States nonprofits
- All entries must be submitted electronically through Film Freeway unless prior approval is granted for hard copies
Technology requirements
- Camera or smartphone capable of recording video
- Video editing software
- Stable internet connection for Film Freeway upload
- Film Freeway account
About this opportunity
The One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest invites students worldwide to create short environmental films that address pressing sustainability challenges and propose solutions. The Middle School division is open to students in Grades 6 to 8 (ages 11 to 14) and runs alongside Elementary, High School, Senior Year and University, Post-Graduate, Animation/Stop-Motion, and the Sally Stovall Prize for Creativity.
Middle School entrants choose one of seven sustainability topics: Climate, Energy, Food, Transportation, Waste, Water, or Wildlife and Ecosystems. Submissions must present a clear problem and propose a solution, with films judged on educational value, inspiration potential, and adherence to the chosen theme.
Live-action films must run between 3 and 8 minutes; animated or stop-motion entries must be at least 45 seconds. There is no submission fee, and entries are made through the Film Freeway portal. International students, including those from India, are eligible when affiliated with an approved school or institution that signs the contest's International Institution Letter Agreement.
Middle School winners receive a 200 US dollar cash prize and a 200 US dollar matching grant directed to a nonprofit of the winner's choice. Selected films are premiered online and screened at the One Earth Film Festival the following April, giving young filmmakers an international platform for their environmental storytelling.
How entries are judged
Films are judged on educational value, ability to inspire and raise awareness, and, for entrants in Grade 11 and below, the clarity with which the film addresses a chosen sustainability problem and proposes a solution. Submissions also undergo compliance checks for eligibility, film length, and format.
Selection process
One winner is selected per category. Winning films are featured in an online premiere and screened at the One Earth Film Festival the following April.
Academic details
Difficulty: Beginner
Frequently asked questions
How can students enhance their chances of winning in this competition?
Students can improve their chances by creating a film that clearly articulates a sustainability problem and offers a well-researched, actionable solution. High educational value, inspirational content, and adherence to film length and format guidelines are key factors in judging. Reviewing past winning films can also provide insight into successful approaches.
What are common mistakes participants make during film production for the contest?
Common mistakes include not clearly defining the problem or solution, exceeding or falling short of the specified film length, neglecting sound quality, or failing to secure proper permissions for footage or music. Participants should also ensure their film aligns with one of the seven sustainability topics.
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