Next Gen Capture
Conservation Contest

NEXT DEADLINE: 12/1/2023

Each year, ACFF encourages youth ages 5 to 18 to create a conservation film of their own about what the environment and nature means to them. Award winning films receive cash prizes and their films are shared on the ACFF website.

Get Started!

STEP 1

Download the contest guidelines and submission form.

DOWNLOAD

STEP 2

Get filmmaking tips and see examples of short student films.

DOWNLOAD

STEP 3

Download the instructions for uploading your video to our Vimeo channel.

DOWNLOAD

Video Guidelines

SUBMISSION DEADLINE – DECEMBER 1, 2023
Each student may submit up to three short videos.
Videos, including title and credits, must not exceed 4 minutes in length.
Videos may be made on mobile devices, cameras, laptops, or desktops.
Videos may be documentary, animation, fiction, or music video.
All films must be produced in 2023 and feature the entrant’s relationship with environmental, cultural, and/or historic conservation. The theme is intentionally wide-reaching to allow for diverse creativity, interpretation, and message.
Any video-editing app may be used in post-production.
All videos must be the original work of the entrant. Entrants should NOT use music, graphics, or footage that was created by others without obtaining rights (a license) to use it.
Please download and read the full guidelines»

Age & Contest Categories

10 & under – Individual students 10 years of age or under as of submission date.
11 to 14 – Individual students 11 to 14 years of age as of submission date.
15 to 18 – Individual students 15 to 18 years of age as of submission date.
Team Project – can be mixed ages (up to 18) and open to groups of up to five (5) students creating one submission.

Prizes

Prizes of $100 cash will be awarded for the best video in each of the four categories (10 & under, 11 to 14, 15 to 18, and Team Project)
A top prize of $250 cash will be awarded for the video that tells the most compelling story of the student’s relationship to conservation.

Contest Criteria

Videos will be judged by a jury on the power and relevancy of the conservation message, originality/creativity, and the overall production value, in that order. Components to be considered include use of imagery, sound, messaging (verbal or nonverbal), and surroundings.

Congratulations to our 2022 winners!

Best overall – Kana Hutchen – Hope for the Future (Chicago, IL USA)

Wendy Gomez – Delmarva Fox Squirrel (Fountaindale Elementary, Hagerstown, MD USA)

Attleigh St. Clair – Deforestation (Fountaindale Elementary, Hagerstown, MD USA)

See All of the Submittals

Many thanks to the Two Rivers Giving Circle of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation for their past support of our Next Gen Contest!

THANK YOU to the founding funders of this youth project!

PRODUCER LEVEL
Michael Hobert & Mary Jane Lee
Jennifer A. Jones
Natalie Klein & Jess Druszkowski
Tim Lawrence & Allison Spensley
Kirsten Martin & Sean Murtagh
Tom & Lisa Murphy
James Remuzzi -Sustainable Solutions LLC
Patrick Shunney
John & Susan Skinner
Michael & Nancy Spensley
Barbara Spicher & Martin Burke

STORYTELLER LEVEL
Brick & Diane Brewer
Jack & Page Carter
Bruce & Carol Flax
Carrie Gauthier
Randy Hilton
Julie Miles
Nick Snow & Cathleen McCoy

CINEMATOGRAPHER LEVEL
Adam Book
Michael & Lori Boswell
Candy Cain
Ben Franklin
Bonnie Kazepis
Jane Tarner
Gabrielle Tokach
Robert & Patricia Wright

EDITOR LEVEL
Don Briggs
Carolee Youngblood

THANK YOU to intern Miranda Palladino for all of her hard work on this project!

Sponsorship of and donations to the project are welcome!
Questions? Contact carolyn@conservationfilmfest.org.

Next Gen Capture Conservation Contest

Get Started!

Congratulations to our 2022 winners!

Contact Us:

Next Gen Capture
Conservation Contest