The Directing Change Film Contest is for young people ages 12 to 25 that want to combine creative expression with making a difference in their communities by creating stories about mental health, suicide prevention, and other topics that matter.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MARCH 1
SUBMISSION CATEGORIES
(30-second and 60-second PSAs accepted)
GET STARTED
Learn about the different steps involved in submitting an entry to the contest. If you have any questions, contact us!
All youth participants need an adult advisor. As a first step the adult advisor needs to register. An advisor can be anyone, a teacher, friend, parent, social worker, or other adult. If no one comes to mind, contact us and we can connect you with one of our mentors. Visit the contest rules to learn about the role of the adult advisor.
Youth (and their parents/legal guardians if under 18) need to sign a release form. By signing the form, youth share ownership of any submitted entries with us. This means you can still use your entry in any way you would like, but you also give us the right to your entry, for example to show it on our website and social media channels.
Once the advisor has created their profile and you have your release forms signed, it’s your turn. A youth profile is required to submit an entry to the contest. As part of creating your profile, you will have to upload the signed release form and you need an advisor code from your adult advisor.
Each submission category comes with specific prizes, content and submission guidelines. There is no limit on the number of entries youth can submit. As you work on your film project, make sure all cast and crew create a youth profile and sign release forms. You won’t be able to submit your entry form until they do!
The annual submission deadline is March 1. Identify one person on your team to submit the entry form. To submit an entry you will need two things: 1) A code from your advisor and 2) Select everyone that worked on your film (cast and crew) from a list. Only people who have a youth profile under the same advisor will be available to be selected.
Directing Change is a statewide contest. For some categories, you will first compete in your region based on the county you live in with winners advancing to a second round of statewide judging by industry professionals and celebrities. Past judges have included actress Kristen Bell and award-winning writer/director and producer Angela Cohen. All statewide winners will be recognized at the red-carpet award ceremony.
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PARTICIPATING IN THIS CONTEST OPENED MY EYES TO HOW STORIES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. LITTLE DID I KNOW MY 60-SECOND PSA WOULD GO ON TO HELP ME MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN MY OWN LIFE AND THAT OF OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE.
– Mariah, 16
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BE RECOGNIZED AT THE ANNUAL RED CARPET AWARD CEREMONY
Every year statewide finalists are celebrated at
our red-carpet award ceremony.
GET INVOLVED
There are many ways to get involved and stay connected. Participate in our monthly hope and justice art contest, follow us on social media, join our youth advisory council, volunteer and a judge or youth mentor, or partner with us as a sponsor. As a non-profit organization, we can’t do this work without you!
HOPE AND JUSTICE ART CONTEST
JUDGE ENTRIES
SPONSOR AWARD CEREMONY
DONATE
YOUTH ADVISOR COUNCIL
ADULT ADVISORY COUNCIL
BRING CONTEST TO YOUR SCHOOL
OR ORGANIZATION
