C-Span StudentCam Contest

The C-SPAN StudentCam Contest is an annual national video documentary competition that encourages middle and high school students to explore and critically analyze issues affecting their communities and the nation. In the 2025 competition, students were tasked with creating a 5–6 minute documentary addressing the theme:

🎯 2025 Theme: “Your Message to the President”

Students were asked to identify an issue of personal or community significance and present it from multiple perspectives, proposing actions the president should take after Inauguration Day. 

📝 Key Competition Details

  • Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6–12.

  • Team Structure: Students could participate individually or in teams of 2 or 3.

  • Submission Deadline: All entries were due by 11:59 PM PST on January 20, 2025.

  • Submission Format: Documentaries had to be uploaded to a video hosting platform (e.g., YouTube, Google Drive) and the link submitted via the online Entry Form.

  • Required Elements:

    • Inclusion of relevant C-SPAN footage.

    • Balanced presentation of varying viewpoints.

    • Proper citations and credits.

    • Adherence to the 5–6 minute length requirement.

  • Judging Criteria:

    • Thorough exploration of the topic.

    • Creativity and quality of expression.

    • Effective use of C-SPAN content.

    • Balanced representation of perspectives.

🏆 Prizes and Recognition

  • Total Prize Pool: $100,000 in cash prizes.

  • Prize Distribution: Awards were given to the top 150 documentaries, with cash prizes divided among individual team members.

  • Announcement Date: Winners were announced on March 12, 2025.

  • Broadcasting: The top 21 documentaries were aired on C-SPAN Television Networks from April 1 to April 21, 2025. 

📚 Additional Resources

For more information on the competition, including detailed rules and guidelines, visit the official StudentCam website.