The “Houston Soccer Stories” Short Film Contest is a celebration of Houston’s soccer culture. Organized by SWAMP (Southwest Alternate Media Project), the Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS), and T.E.A.M. Houston, this competition gives filmmakers, creators, and storytellers the chance to capture the city’s vibrant soccer life.

With one of the largest soccer fan bases in the United States, estimated at around 2 million fans1, Houston’s love for the sport runs deep - from devoted supporters of international clubs to the passionate followers of local teams Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash. Beyond the professional stage, the city boasts vibrant youth leagues, recreational teams, and grassroots tournaments, powered by a multicultural community whose roots span some of the world’s greatest soccer nations.

Technology sponsors YourStoryz and Tradecast Video add a unique dimension: submissions will include both final short films and ongoing creative updates shared with the community.

Awards & Prizes

• Grand Prize: $1,000
• Second Prize: $500
• Third Prize: 3-month Tradecast Video package
More prize options might be announced during the course of the contest
Additional recognition for finalists, including screenings, social features, and inclusion in monthly reels.

Rules & Terms

Content Rules
Each submission must:
1. Be an original work created after January 1, 2025.
2. Be in English or contain English subtitles (dialogue, lyrics, or text). Due to importance of the Hispanic market for soccer, Spanish submissions (with English subtitles) are also encouraged.
3. Not be excerpts from longer works.
4. Avoid obscene, pornographic, violent, or unlawful content.
5. Not infringe third-party rights (copyright, music, images). All music/footage must be original, licensed, or in the public domain.
6. Include signed releases for all recognizable individuals appearing in the film.
7. Avoid any IP infringement - especially trademarks, logos, mascots, or branding from major organizations (like FIFA), major leagues (like World Cup, MLS, etc.), club teams and/or players (see next).

Contest Timeline
• Launch Date: September 1, 2025
• Submission Deadline: August 3rd, 2026, at 12:00 PM CST
• Judging & Deliberation: August - September 2026
• Winners Announced: September 2026
• Public Showcase: September 2026 (date and location TBD)

Eligibility
• Open worldwide to individuals and teams, age 18+.
• Participants under 18 may enter with parental/guardian consent.
• Not eligible: members of the organizing team, judges, or their immediate families.
• By entering, participants agree to these rules and confirm their eligibility.

Submissions

Final Films
• All final works must be submitted via FilmFreeway.
• Length: Maximum 10 minutes, including credits.
• Formats: HD 720p, 16:9 aspect ratio; accepted file types: .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv. Codecs: H.265, H.264, MPEG-4, WMV, DivX.
• Winning entries must provide a 1080p master (.mov, ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed).
• Multiple submissions are allowed.
• Portrait/vertical phone footage is strongly discouraged unless stylistically intentional.

Work-in-Progress & Updates
• Creators are expected to share progress clips and behind-the-scenes updates via YourStoryz.
• Updates may include: filming sessions, fan interactions, interviews, creative notes, or team profiles.
• Biweekly/monthly highlights will be published via organizers’ social channels and dedicated website (see next).

Tradecast Showcase
• Finalists and their profiles will be featured on the Houston Soccer Stories Showcase Page, www.houstonsoccerstories.com, hosted on Tradecast Video.

Judging Criteria
Entries will be judged on two key aspects:
• Final Product (50%) – Storytelling, originality, creativity, technical quality, authenticity, are you telling a true original “Houston soccer story”?
• Community Engagement (50%) – Ongoing use of YourStoryz, the ability to involve the Houston community, creativity of updates, and consistent (video) storytelling, while in the process of creating your final work(s).

Jury
The jury will consist of:
• Soccer experts (players, analysts, coaches).
• Media experts (film, journalism, broadcast).
• Content creation leaders (digital creators, curators).

Selection of Finalists
• A panel will review submissions based on the judging criteria.
• Finalists will be announced before the showcase event.
• Selected works will be screened publicly and highlighted online.

Showcase & Screenings
• Finalist films will screen at the Houston Soccer Stories Showcase (late July/early August 2026).
• Monthly curated reels will run on social platforms of supporting organizations.
• Daily creator updates will be accessible via www.houstonsoccerstories.com.

Contact & Support
Technology providers Tradecast Video and YourStoryz will provide regular training sessions to make creators familiar with their platforms. These trainings can also answers any submission questions that might exists during the contest.
For questions, training schedules, or rule clarifications:
📧 Email: hello@team-houston.com
🌐 Website: www.houstonsoccerstories.com

Disclaimer
This contest is not affiliated with any soccer club, league or federation in particular. It is independently organized by the three partner organizations and their sponsors. It aims to amplify the city’s reputation as a premier soccer destination for years to come.
Therefore, to comply with any IP guidelines:
• Do not use official logos, marks, mascots, emblems, or branding.
• Avoid implying sponsorship or endorsement by any organizations, leagues, clubs or its rights holders.
• References to the any major soccer events must be descriptive/editorial only (e.g., “Houston hosted matches…”).
• The best way to avoid any IP infringement is to focus on Houston’s soccer culture: its people, clubs, fans, and communities.
• If any potential IP infringement is perceived, a submission might be refused and asked to be reworked.