The “Never Stop Creating” Student Challenge is an opportunity to celebrate Central Coast students who found (safe) ways to continue creating throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenge covers all aspects of film, digital media arts, and podcasting, including:
- Filmmaking
- Film/Sound Editing
- Screenwriting/creative writing
- Photography/Cinematography
- Short/Long Form Digital Media (such as, YouTube or Twitch Channels)
- Podcasting

All students who submit their films or creative works will receive constructive feedback from the Central Coast Film Society board members and will be eligible for entry in the “Never Stop Creating” Student Showcase. Finalists entered into the online May 1st - May 2nd "Never Stop Creating" Student Showcase will have their works reviewed by a panel of judges from the industry and academia to earn Awards for Excellence and available $100 scholarships for each category. Attendees of the online "Never Stop Creating" Student Showcase will also have an opportunity to vote for their overall favorite works to determine the People's Choice Award, worth an additional $100 scholarship.*

*Additional scholarships may be available, pending sponsors and individual donations: https://www.nfggive.com/guidestar/83-0787181

-- Judges Panel - Film --
Randi Barros
Cal Poly - Interdisciplinary Studies in Liberal Arts
https://isla.calpoly.edu/clone-randi-barros

Skye McLennan
Festival Director, SLO FILM Fest
https://slofilmfest.org/staff-2/

Chris Hite
Allan Hancock College - Film and Video Production
https://www.hancockcollege.edu/film/hite.php

-- Judges Panel - Digital Media Arts --
Ken Napzok
Podcaster, Author, YouTube Producer & Host
https://www.kennapzok.com/about.html#/

Chris Lambert
Your Own Backyard - Podcaster and Freelance Journalist
https://www.yourownbackyardpodcast.com/about

Sheryl Franciskovich
SLO LIFE Magazine - Publisher and Creative Director
https://slolifemagazine.com/

Chris Burkard
Photographer, filmmaker
https://www.chrisburkard.com/

Josh Ernstrom
PG&E- Digital Media Producer
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6a4a605e82d44275ba353b732a127258

Awards & Prizes

Awards for Excellence
Film Challenge
Digital Media Arts- Podcasting Challenge
Digital Media Arts- Screenwriting/Storytelling Challenge
Digital Media Arts- Photography Challenge
Digital Media Arts- Highlight Reel Challenge (Editing, Acting, Short/Long Form Digital Content)
People's Choice - Overall Excellence

Scholarships
$100 scholarship available for each category
$100 scholarship available for People Choice Award

**Additional scholarships may be available based on sponsors/donations. Go to https://www.centralcoastfilmsociety.org/ to learn more

Rules & Terms

1. Dates: Creative submissions must represent works created during the pandemic (March 2020-April 2021)
2. Students: Creative submissions must be from high school students residing in or from the the Central Coast Region of California, specifically Monterey County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, and Ventura County. Class of 2020 Seniors may submit works, so long as they were created prior to graduation.
3. Content: Creative submissions must fall within G, PG or PG-13 ratings (films outside of those ranges will disqualified).
4. Copyright: Creative submissions must be available for public display (on-line or future in-person event).
5. Submissions: Each student may submit only one creative work in a particular category, and each student may only submit a creative work in no more than three categories.

1 Review
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ian McKay

    Very welcoming and inclusive festival, great place to start for a student filmmaker, loved the hospitable atmosphere.

    September 2020
    Helpful