Short video must be between 15 seconds to 2 minutes.
Eligibility: Open to Cal State LA students.
• Must include a call to action or a pledge to participate. Your short can be serious, funny, poignant, sad, weird, irreverent, scholarly, or hopeful, but must include a call to action. Ask your viewer to make a pledge to participate. For example: Remember to Vote, Register to Vote, Get Involved, Stay informed.
• No false or misleading information.
• All winning videos will receive attributed media distribution.
• Please note that award money may impact financial aid packages.
EVALUATION CRITERIA: Entries will be judged on storytelling, artistry, originality, quality, category fit, and clarity of call to action.
RULES & TERMS
1. Must be original content. (entrants must certify that they are the sole creators and copyright owners of the submitted video or have obtained all copyrights to the video.)
2. May not contain misleading or false information
3. All entrants must be current Cal State LA students.
4. It may be in English or another language.
5. All music and media must be licensed or license-free media (images, video and audio.)
*You may not use any copyrighted materials without a license, which includes images from Google Images.
6. Only record people who have agreed to be filmed.
*It’s recommended to collect image and voice consent forms for participants. If needed, please use the consent form available on the Cal State LA website.
7. Videos that endorse a specific political party or candidate will not be accepted.
8. Videos should not contain violent acts.
9. Hateful speech or rhetoric will not be tolerated. Please refer to the Cal State LA campus policy on Time, Place, and Manner of Free Expression.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to be a CalState Student?
Yes.
Can I submit a film that is over 2 minutes?
No. The maximum length is 2 minutes. The minimum length is 15 seconds.
Can I submit more than one film?
You bet. The more the merrier.
Can I submit one film to all three categories?
No. Please submit your film to one category.
Are teams allowed?
Yes, teams are allowed. Remember to include all names when you submit.
What kind of content is allowed?
Content may include interviews, testimonials, or scripted content. Visuals may include animation, documentary, text, or scripted content. Audio may be narration or scripted voice-over.
When is my film due?
You must submit by October 13th at 12:59 pm PST
Who are the judges?
The panel will include CalStateLA Faculty, a student, and industry professionals.
By submitting, am I giving away complete ownership of my film?
Absolutely not. By submitting your film, TBD receives a NON-EXCLUSIVE right to your film to use for promotional purposes. Our goal is to promote democracy and showcase your talents.
What makes an effective PSA?
• grab the viewers' attention
• propose a specific call to action to the audience
• give accurate facts
• make your point clearly and concisely
Can the video be made for social media?
Yes, content may be designed for a platform such as YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok.
