This is your moment to shine! The Best of the Midwest Media Fest is where we celebrate the outstanding video and radio programs produced by talented professionals and amateurs just like you. We are the premier festival recognizing and promoting the vital work of PEG media centers (Public, Education, and Government) and the community producers who use them.

Why Should You Submit?

Get Recognized: We believe every producer deserves feedback. That's why every single program entered is judged by industry professionals and provided back to the producer.

Win an Award: We love to celebrate your work. Approximately 75% of the programs entered receive an award!

Grow Your Craft: Our mission is to help producers improve their craft, celebrate well-crafted programs, and promote the essential work PEG media centers do on the local level.

What Is the Event?

This year's event will be April 30 & May 1, 2026 at Stoney Creek Hotel LaCrosse-Onalska. A first for this year will be live screenings of the submissions that will be happening as part of the a dynamic two-day local media conference held in partnership with WCM and the Midwest Region of the Alliance for Community Media. The Fest culminates in the Best of the Midwest Media Fest Banquet and Show, where we hand out the awards.

All Wisconsin Community Media members receive member pricing for festival entries. Furthermore, WCM members and member stations receive $20 off their submission. Please contact your local community media center for the discount code or find it on the WCM Member365 Platform.

Awards & Prizes

Excellence Award. The equivalent of a “Gold Medal.” This award is bestowed on entries that demonstrate a highly creative, well-crafted and very effective approach to the subject matter.

Achievement Award. The equivalent of a “Silver Medal.” Programs achieving this level are well-crafted and effective in conveying their message.

Merit Award. The equivalent of a “Bronze Medal.” Programs achieving a Merit Award demonstrate a proficiency in their craft and a solid presentation of the subject matter.

Significant Community Program Award: This is an honor bestowed on programs upon nomination from the manager of a media center and approval by the Conference Committee.

Rules & Terms

To qualify:

1. The producer must reside in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, Nebraska or Kansas.

2. Video programming must have had its world premiere in one of these states on a PEG (public, education, or government) cable access channel or on another outlet managed by a PEG media center including a website, OTT site, or social media app in calendar year 2025.

3. LPFM radio programs must have debuted on an LPFM radio station or a podcast sponsored by an LPFM radio station operating in one of the Midwestern states listed above. The LPFM radio station does NOT need to be associated with a PEG access center.

4. An entry does not qualify if it is a re-edit of a program that had its world premiere in a previous year.

5. At least 60% of the running time must be locally produced so that judges may critique the camerawork, audio, and directing of a program.

6. Entries must be entered in the "professional" category if the program is mostly created by and mostly reflects the technical expertise of individuals who currently earn or have in the past earned more than $20,000 per year in the video or (in the case of a radio entry) radio field.