Youth Free Expression Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by National Coalition Against Censorship

Description The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) and the New York Film Academy (NYFA) present the 22nd annual Youth Free Expression Film Contest. The contest invites young filmmakers to produce short documentary films that investigate the theme “Documenting our Democracy.” The emphasis is on empowering youth to reveal local truths using accessible tools — even a smartphone — and to use documentary storytelling as an act of free expression. Educational support is provided alongside the contest to help first-time filmmakers learn the craft. - Presented by NCAC and NYFA; now in its 22nd year - Focus: short documentary films on “Documenting our Democracy” - Aim: empower youth to document local community stories using accessible tools - Educational resources available to support entrants Theme and Film Ideas Documenting our Democracy invites broad interpretations of democracy beyond elections — focusing on how communities create shared solutions and identities. Filmmakers are encouraged to spotlight what makes their town or city distinctive: surprising facts, everyday leaders, and the ways people collaborate or clash. Documentaries may include observational footage, interviews, archival materials, animation, or reenactments. Pick a subject that reveals an important truth about your community and can be told clearly in short-form nonfiction. - Interpret “democracy” broadly: community, participation, shared problems - Story ideas: community leaders, local issues, cultural events, protests, history - Documentary formats accepted: verité, interviews, archival, animation, reenactments - Aim for a concise, revealing local story Workshops NCAC and NYFA are offering a free three-part documentary workshop series to teach planning, shooting, and editing basics. The sessions are live on May 23, June 6, and June 27 from 3:00–4:30 p.m. ET and will be led by working documentary filmmakers and NYFA faculty. No prior filmmaking experience or special equipment is required; recordings will be available for a limited time afterward. Attendance is optional and does not confer judging advantages. - Three live workshops: May 23 (plan), June 6 (shoot), June 27 (edit) — 3:00–4:30 p.m. ET - Free and open to all students; no special gear required - Recordings available for a limited time after each session - Workshop attendance is optional and won’t affect judging Eligibility and Submission Process To enter, upload your short documentary to the FilmFreeway contest page and include an artist’s statement explaining your film’s message. Entry is free. Entrants must live in the U.S. or its territories (citizenship not required) and be 19 years old or younger on the submission date. This year the contest accepts only documentary films; non-documentary genres will not be eligible. - Submit via FilmFreeway with an artist’s statement - No entry fee - Residency: U.S. or U.S. territories; citizenship not required - Age limit: 19 or younger on submission day - Only documentary films accepted Rules and Judging Criteria Submissions must be original nonfiction films created by entrants; films produced using AI generation are prohibited (you may include portrayals or examples of AI within a film). Entries will be evaluated on content, artistic and technical merit, and creativity. Judges will be selected from filmmakers, writers, artists, and activists. Workshop hosts will act as judges, but workshop participation will not influence evaluation. - No AI-generated videos allowed (AI examples within a film are permitted) - Judging criteria: content, artistic/technical merit, creativity - Judges drawn from filmmakers, writers, artists, and activists - Workshop attendance does not give preferential treatment Awards and Prizes Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three filmmakers or teams: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second, and $250 for third. The first-place winner also receives a scholarship to the New York Film Academy (terms and conditions apply). Finalists will be notified before winners are announced, and NCAC will share finalists’ films. Winning films may receive additional screening opportunities tied to NCAC and partner events. - Top three cash prizes: $1,000 / $500 / $250 - First-place winner awarded an NYFA scholarship (T&C apply) - Finalists notified in advance; NCAC will promote finalist films - Winners may be invited to special screenings and partner events Letter of Completion Participants who engage with the workshop series and submit a film can earn a Letter of Completion from NYFA. To qualify, a participant must attend at least two of the three workshops and submit a short film to the contest. The letter recognizes documentary filmmaking education acquired through the program and is intended as a formal acknowledgement of participation and learning. - Earn a Letter of Completion from NYFA by: - Attending two of three workshops - Submitting a short film to the contest Application Timeline Workshop dates are fixed: May 23, June 6, and June 27 (3:00–4:30 p.m. ET). Recordings will be available afterward for a limited time. Exact submission deadlines, finalist notification dates, and winner announcements are posted on the FilmFreeway contest page and the NCAC contest webpage — consult those sources for the contest calendar and final cutoffs. - Workshops: May 23 / June 6 / June 27 — 3:00–4:30 p.m. ET - Recordings available for a limited time after each workshop - Submission deadlines and result dates: check FilmFreeway and NCAC contest page History of the Award The Youth Free Expression Film Contest has reached its 22nd year of encouraging young people to use documentary film to explore civic and social issues. Run in partnership by NCAC and NYFA, the program has a longstanding emphasis on free expression, education, and amplifying youth voices through public presentation and professional development. Over the years the contest has combined mentorship, workshops, and exhibition opportunities to help emerging filmmakers reach wider audiences. - Now in its 22nd year, run by NCAC and NYFA - Longstanding focus on free expression and youth voices - Program combines education (workshops) with exhibition and recognition Where to Learn More Visit the FilmFreeway contest page and the NCAC contest webpage for full rules, deadlines, and submission details. Contact information and announcements about workshop hosts will be posted there.