The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is looking for short films that best represent the 2025 Social Work theme, Compassion + Action. We are accepting two categories - short vertical reels of a minute or less or short form documentaries of five to 30 minutes. The reels and short form documentaries should be concise and focused, impart a powerful message, and be well-suited for online platforms and social media. Entries will be accepted from now to March 21.

NASW and the NASW Foundation would like to thank social worker and documentary filmmaker Tab Ballis, LCSW, LCAS, CCS, for approaching us with the idea for a short film contest. Ballis made the film Park View about Talana Kreeger, a lesbian who was the victim of a hate crime in North Carolina.

Awards & Prizes

Entrees will be judged by a team of social workers, including social work filmmakers. The top prize for the short reel will be $2,500 and the prize for the short form documentary will be $5,000.

Rules & Terms

Entrants cannot be immediate family members of National Association of Social Workers or NASWF staff. Contest entrants can send multiple submissions. NASW reserves the right to use their name, likeness, and any other information for promotional purposes without compensation. The winners are solely responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes, including income taxes associated with the prizes and should consult their attorney and/or accountant. The material must be original and not displayed on other social media or online platforms. Entrants must also have written permission from participants in their reels or short films.