2026 Latest Generation Film Contest Rules
Latest Generation Film Contest submissions, from filmmakers ages 14-22 who live or attend school in the United States, must be received by February 28, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time. There are no submission fees. All winning films will be showcased at the Latest Generation Film Contest Chicago Premiere in or around the month of June 2026.
Questions? Please contact Angela Staron at astaron@lincolnpresidential.org
1. Who is Eligible to Enter?
As detailed at item 3 below, the Latest Generation Film Contest (the “Contest”) is open to all young filmmakers who, as of February 28, 2026, are (a) 14 through 22 years old and (b) live or attend school in the United States.
No purchase is necessary to enter the Contest, but entrants are responsible for the costs associated with the making of their files, including the securing of any permission necessary to show the film to public audiences.
Employees of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation (the “Sponsor”) and their family members are not eligible for the Contest, nor are employees (or their family members) of The Better Angels Society.
2. What Must Be the Focus of Submitted Films?
Films must focus on a historical subject, issue, or person within a time frame occurring
within the United States at least 20 years ago (pre-2005) and must present a variety of perspectives grounded in research. The majority of the film must be historically focused to qualify. Each film must be 5-8 minutes in length.
This Year’s Theme: “Think Anew, Act Anew”
Our theme is inspired by Abraham Lincoln’s words:
“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present... We must think anew, and act anew.”
— Abraham Lincoln, Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862
As America marks 250 years of history, the Latest Generation Film Contest invites young filmmakers to explore stories of people in the United States who faced milestone changes or generational challenges with creative ideas and bold action.
3. Who Is Responsible for the Contest?
This program is a partnership between the Lincoln Presidential Foundation and The Better Angels Society and funded through the Amy Margerum Berg Education Fund.
4. What Are the Contest Rules?
A. Participation in the Contest constitutes entrants’ full and unconditional agreement to, and acceptance of, the Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Selection for awards and receipt of prize money are contingent upon entrants’ compliance with the Rules and fulfilling Contest requirements.
B. Eligible Age and Geographic Criteria
To enter the Contest, entrants must either reside or attend school in the United States. Entrants must be 14-22 years old as of February 28, 2026. Submissions will be grouped and judged according to the following age brackets as of February 28, 2026:
• 14-16
• 17-19
• 20-22
Contest entries may be submitted by an individual or by a group of up to three (3) individuals. For group submissions, the appropriate bracket is determined by the age of the oldest group member. If a group submission is chosen as a winner, one prize will be awarded to the group as a whole.
Group entrants must send an email to astaron@lincolnpresidential.org explaining that they are submitting as a group. Ms. Staron will subsequently send an electronic verification and permission form which each additional entrant (and as appropriate, parent/guardian) to complete.
C. Judging Criteria
Eligible entries will be judged based on the following criteria:
i. Content and Creativity
• Understanding of Historical Topic: To what extent does the film demonstrate a thorough and well-supported understanding of a historical topic through credible research?
• Perspective: To what extent does the film reflect the perspective and understanding of its creator(s)?
• Originality: To what extent does the film present a unique perspective or approach to the historical topic?
• Storytelling: To what extent is the film able to effectively tell a compelling story?
ii. Effective Communication
• Historical Accuracy: How accurately does the film represent the historical events, figures, or periods it depicts?
• Depth of Research: Does the film reflect thorough research and a deep understanding of the historical context?
• Message Clarity: How well are the film’s ideas and messages communicated?
• Relevance to the Theme: How closely does the film adhere to and integrate the theme of the contest?
iii. 3. Technical Quality
• Production Quality: What is the quality of the cinematography, editing, sound, and special effects?
D. Prizes
There will be one (1) 1st place winner, one (1) 2nd place winner, and one (1) 3rd place winner for each of the age brackets. However, Sponsor reserves the right to add additional or fewer awardees for any given bracket based on the volume and quality of entries.
All winners will receive the following recognition and prizes:
i. Screening of their film at Lincoln Presidential Foundation’s Premiere in Chicago, in or around June 2026, and at other related and subsequent events hosted (or co-hosted) by Sponsor. These screenings may occur in person and/or online (recorded or streamed).
ii. Posting of their film on the Lincoln Presidential Foundation website and social media channels. (Note: Sponsor and The Better Angels Society reserve the right to utilize submitted films for any promotional material and online media, at their sole discretion.)
iii. Cash prize: All winning submissions will receive a cash prize. The awards for each place in each age bracket are as follows:
• First (1st) Place: $2,000 cash prize
• Second (2nd) Place: $1,000 cash prize
• Third (3rd) Place: $500 cash prize
NOTE: In the case of group submissions, the prize amount will be divided among members of the group.
5. How Do I Enter the Contest?
To enter your film on FilmFreeway click the link below:
Go to https://filmfreeway.com/LatestGenerationFilmContest and upload your film.
Create an account using your email address.
As soon as you sign up for FilmFreeway, you will be directed to the Add Project page. Fill out the one-page form and save. You can upload your project file (up to 10GB) or link your video via Vimeo or YouTube.
Be sure you also complete the online application form:
Signatures:
All entrants must digitally sign the Permission and Oath sections by typing their full name into the designated boxes.
For entrants under 18: A Parent, Guardian, Teacher, or Group Leader must also sign both sections by typing their full name into the corresponding boxes.
Required Submission Items:
• Annotated Bibliography:
 Include both primary and secondary sources consulted during the film’s development.
 Separate the bibliography into two sections: primary sources and secondary sources.
 Provide a brief annotation (2–3 sentences) for each citation explaining how the source contributed to your research and understanding of the topic.
 For guidance, consult:
 National History Day Annotated Bibliography Resources
 EasyBib Annotated Bibliography Guide (MLA)
 Purdue OWL Annotated Bibliographies
 Upload the bibliography as an attachment by navigating to My Projects > Project File > Files & Attachments on the submission platform.
• Director’s Statement:
o A short explanation (up to 500 words) of your vision and intent for the film.
o Discuss your motivation for creating the film and the purpose of telling this story.
o Paste your statement directly into the designated text box on the submission form.
Submissions must be received through FilmFreeway by February 28, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time. No exceptions will be made. Entrants will not receive feedback on their submissions.
Entrants will be required to confirm that they have informed and secured the necessary permissions from all involved.
If a prospective winner fails to provide any required documentation, Sponsor reserves the right to award the prize to a substitute winner at Sponsor’s sole discretion.
6. Winner Selection/Notification
Sponsor will attempt to notify the prospective winning entrants via e-mail or telephone during the week of May 1, 2026. If the prospective winner does not respond by email or phone by 05:00PM Central Time on May 7th they may forfeit the prize.
To become a confirmed winner, a prospective winner must provide age verification and proof of residency as requested by Sponsor. Prospective winners must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of the Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all Rule requirements.
If a prospective winner is disqualified after the judging process for any reason, Sponsor reserves the right to rescind the award and issue the prize to the next eligible runner-up in the age bracket.
7. Release and Limitations of Liability
In consideration being allowed to participate in the Contest, entrants (together with parent or guardian if entrant is under 18 years of age or under a legal disability) expressly release and hold harmless the Sponsor from and against any and all claims, demands, and causes of action arising out of the entrant’s participation in the Contest. Entrant’s release and agreement to hold Sponsor harmless includes but is not limited to intellectual property disputes, cancellation of the Contest, injury, death, harm or losses of any kind, whether or not caused in whole or in part by the negligence or other fault of the Sponsor or its agents. Entrant (together with parent/guardian if appropriate) waives any right to claim any damages whatsoever, including but not limited to consequential, punitive, direct, or indirect damages, and releases and forever discharges Sponsor, its representatives, employees, officers, agents, and affiliates from all such claims, on behalf of entrants, their heirs, assigns, and any other person claiming by, under or through entrant.
8. General Conditions
In the event that the operation or administration of the Contest is impaired for any reason such as, but not limited to, fraud, legality, technicality, or in the event that the Contest is unable to run as planned for any reason, Sponsor may suspend the Contest temporarily or indefinitely.
In submitting a film and signing the verification form within FilmFreeway, all entrants agree to these terms and conditions of the Contest and that Sponsor is not liable for any unauthorized or inappropriate sharing of films. Note that violence, profanity, or direct attacks on individuals or organizations will not be accepted. Film submissions must not violate any U.S. laws, including laws relating to religion, moral rights, rights of publicity, and/or privacy. All films must adhere to copyright laws. Any film utilizing copyrighted material that is not the creation or property of the entrant will not be considered unless clear evidence of the legal right to use that copyrighted material is provided with the submission by the applicable deadline (ex: permission by the owner of the intellectual property).
By entering this Contest, all entrants agree that their submission is their own original work, does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others, and follows all copyright laws.
Entrants retain the intellectual property rights associated with their submissions, including copyright rights. However, as a condition of participation in the Contest, entrants grant Sponsor a non-exclusive, perpetual right to show, display, distribute, and market all film entries, in their entirety, in part (film clips) and still shots, to live audiences, online (recorded and live stream), and in written materials.
When using sources and works that are not your own, entrants agree that those works are part of the public domain, that they have obtained permission to use the work, or that the use of the work does not constitute a substantial portion of the film so as to comply with fair use laws of USC Title 17 Section 107 found at http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html. Where an entrant has obtained permission to use a substantial portion of another’s intellectual property, entrant agrees to submit proof of permission with the film entry. We urge entrants to use their own artistic works or those in the public domain. When using research, please give credit to the owners and authors of scientific, academic, political, and other works. This can be done through the film credits or when the source is identified in the film.
For help finding images that are in the public domain and do not constitute any type of infringement, try starting at the Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/pictures. For free or royalty-free sound recordings and music, an artist typically places their work into the public domain. Try doing a search for royalty-free music, and you can find many songs available for a free and legal download to accompany your video.
Entrants agree to not hold Lincoln Presidential Foundation liable for any intellectual property disputes and to comply with these Rules and all copyright laws.
9. Disputes
Except when prohibited by law, entrants agree that any and all disputes will be handled individually. In the case of any dispute, entrants agree to attempt resolution with Sponsor. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of the Rules, entrants’ rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection to the Contest, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Illinois, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, which would cause the laws of any jurisdiction other than Illinois. Any legal fees incurred by Sponsor in the event of a dispute relating in any way to the Contest are the responsibility of the entrant.
Sponsor reserves the right to update these rules at any time.
