Since March, the youth of America have witnessed a societal transformation like none other: a global pandemic, local lockdown orders, mass movements in our communities pushing for equity and justice. And, amidst it all, they are capturing the moment, reflecting on its impact and channeling it all into new content.

In a year when a Minneapolis teen's iPhone opened the world's eyes to the intolerable extremes of police brutality and racial injustice, media made through the eyes and from the mouths of young leaders has the power to lead us to a different future.

Youth Voices wants to showcase the multi-media projects emerging from young creators from across the Best Buy Teen Tech Center network during this pivotal moment in time. Youth Voices is a platform: a place where voices, visions, narratives and calls to action can be highlighted, shared and celebrated. How are young people expressing themselves and their experiences? How are they using technology to capture their creativity and tell stories that matter?

Youth Voices has been created to amplify youth voices and visions in an extraordinary year.

A call for submissions will be open from February 22nd through March 13th for works made between March 1, 2020 and March 13, 2021. Every eligible submission will be shared on the Youth Voices online platform.

Every eligible submission will be shared in a virtual festival on the Youth Voices online platform, which will launch in the spring of 2021. A Best Buy Teen Tech Center Youth Leadership Council will select 5 works to be featured in a special showcase as a part of the program. More details to follow with the launch of the Youth Voices site.

----- ELIGIBILITY & RULES -----

Media projects must be created and produced by youth age 18 and under.

Media projects must have been created through participation in a program at a Best Buy Teen Tech Center.

Adult participation must be limited to an advisory or acting role.

Projects must have been created between March 1, 2020 and the date of submission (on or before March 13, 2021).

Video and/or audio projects must run under 10 minutes.

Projects may fall under the category of fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, music video, photography, spoken word or podcasts.

Projects can be created with Best Buy Teen Tech center equipment or youth's own equipment.

Projects can be produced in any language but need to have English subtitles for submission review and presentation.

Projects submitted must be original, and use of unlicensed music, video or imagery may result in disqualification.

Best Buy will have the right to use any content or creative work, art or technology developed by participants engaging in activities at a Best Buy Teen Tech Center.