StudentCam Documentary Competition

C-SPAN Wants to Know What Political Topics Interest Young People

C-SPAN has announced a call for entries for its 2008 StudentCam video documentary competition. A total of $50,000 will be awarded in prizes, including 92 student awards and 11 teacher awards.

The national contest invites middle and high school students to produce a documentary, up to 10 minutes in length, that explores a current political topic using C-SPAN programming.

"We're asking teens to create videos on the issues that matter to them," says Joanne Wheeler, Vice President of education relations at C-SPAN. "We're excited to sponsor this annual competition and invite students in grades 6 through 12 to address important issues that affect our nation and their communities."

Videos (DVD or VHS) will be judged by a panel of C-SPAN representatives and educators and evaluated on a number of criteria, including:

• thoughtful examination of the contest theme
• quality of expression
• adherence to a 10-minute time limit
• inclusion of multiple viewpoints
• use of C-SPAN programming

The grand prizewinner with the best overall entry will be awarded $5,000, with multiple cash prize awards of $250, $750, $1,000, and $3,000 to students in both middle and high school categories.

The deadline for entries is 5 p.m. ET Monday, December 31, 2007. Winners will be announced Friday, February 15, 2008.

Complete contest details and an entry form, as well as winning entries from previous years, are available at the competition's Web site.