TAGS: Film, Youth

2009 Youth Free Expression Network Film Contest

Video shot and edited by Kyle Graffam

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the famous Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines when the court ruled in favor of students who had been suspended for protesting the Vietnam War. The Tinker case stated that students "do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate." But 40 years later, students are still facing challenges to their free speech and expression in school: student articles are censored, strict dress codes imposed, internet filters block access to valuable web resources, school plays are canceled...

Make your voice heard! This is your chance to answer the question:

Free Speech in School (Does it Exist?)

Film your response in 4 minutes or less. Entries can be videos of any kind, including documentary, animation, experimental, or music video.  The top three winners will be awarded cash prizes ($1000, $500, $250) and the first place winner will receive a $ 5000 partial scholarship to the New York Film Academy or a one week digital filmmaking workshop. 

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Applications must be submitted (and films uploaded to Youtube) no later than Friday, October 23rd, 2009. Contestants must be either living in the U.S. or its territories (but need not be citizens), and must be age 19 or younger on the day the film is submitted. All films must be produced in 2009 and address the contest theme.

Questions?:  Email us at yfen@ncac.org.

Online Application

Name(s):

Email Address (primary contact):

Phone Number:

Mailing Address:

Age (must be 19 or younger):

Name of Film:

Length of Film (must be 4 minute or less):

Genre(documentary, music video, experimental, animation, etc.):

This film was created at (check as many as apply):
Youth media organization. Name of organization:
Class at school. Name of school:
Film camp. Name of camp:
Home
Other. Please describe:

Youtube URL:

In 250 words or less, please provide a description of your film, and explain why you chose the topic you did (you may include details about your creative process):

More Contest Details (Please Read Before Submitting):
Contestants must be either living in the U.S. or its territories (but need not be citizens), and must be age 19 or younger on the day the film is submitted.  Films will be judged on content, artistic and technical merit, and creativity.  Judges will be drawn from a panel of renowned writers, actors, and filmmakers. Check the website for a list of judges to be announced in early summer.

*Winning filmmakers will be asked to submit a DVD copy of their film and to sign a release form granting the National Coalition Against Censorship the rights to use, display or distribute the film in carrying out the National Coalition Against Censorship’s educational mission. The National Coalition Against Censorship does not limit the original creator's use  of the work in any way. However, should this film win a distinction in the contest, all future screenings or submissions of it must be accompanied by the tagline "This film was created for the National Coalition Against Censorship" in the credits.

By checking this box you certify you have read the above and that the uploaded film is your own original creation:

Thanks for taking part in the 2009 Youth Free Expression Network Film Contest. Semi-Finalists will be announced in early November, 2009, and the winners shortly after.

The 2009 Youth Free Expression Network Film Contest is made possible through support from  the The Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation.