NSSAR YOUTH VIDEO CONTEST RULES

Revised 18 December 2924

The NSSAR Youth Video Contest promotes education, research, and creative expression
regarding the American Revolution

  • Contestants will submit a video presentation three to five minutes in length.
  • This contest is open to all middle school and high school students (6th through 12th grades)
  • attending home schools, public schools, parochial schools, or private high schools.
  • Entries may be submitted in the following formats:
    .MP4 .MOV .WMV .AVI
  • Entries must contain ORIGINAL content. Content must be based on scholarly research of the
  • presented topic. Content may not violate copyright laws. Contestants must ensure all music,
  • images, paintings, illustrations, etc. are free from copyright restrictions and failure to do so may
  • result in disqualification. Entries will be scanned for plagiarism and when found will result in
  • disqualification. Therefore, direct quotations must be accompanied by appropriate citations.
  • Artificial Intelligence may be used to generate images for illustrative purposes, but not for the
  • creation of narrative or dialog.
  • The subject of the entry should focus on an event, person, document, or topic pertaining to the
  • American Revolution. Emphasis on the 250th anniversary of events leading up to and following
  • the Revolution (1763-1783) is recommended.
  • The style, approach, and perspective are not limited. The entry may be in the form of a
  • documentary, dramatization, interview, advertisement, etc. Creativity is encouraged.
  • While some creative license is permitted, historical accuracy is essential. For example, a
  • conversation that never occurred may be acceptable, but must adhere to currently known historical facts.
  • A minimum of three references is required. All references should be cited in the end credits and on the application form. Citations must be provided for any non-original content: photos, paintings, audio recordings, etc. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
  • All entries are judged blind to the identity and home location of the contestant.
  • Entries may be submitted by a single contestant or by a group. Any group project will be considered a single entry and only one award and cash prize (if any) will be presented per entry.
  • Contestants must submit two versions of their entry. One version should contain full titles, end credits, and the name(s) of the creator(s)/contestant(s). The second version should also contain full titles and end credits, but all references to the creator(s)/contestant(s) must be absent. End title credit for the contestant(s) for additional contributions (e.g. as an actor) may be included provided it does not obviously indicate the identity of the individual(s) as a contestant(s).
  • Contestants understand and agree their entry video may be shown at SAR meetings or other events. It may also be posted on various websites and social media, and may be available for public view. Therefore, contestants must read, understand, and sign the Youth Programs
  • Release Form. In addition, ALL INDIVIDUALS appearing in the video entry must also sign and submit the Youth Programs Release Form. A parent/guardian MUST SIGN if the individual is a minor.
  • National level contest awards:
    • First place: $1,750.00
    • Second place: $500.00
    • The First Place winner at the National level will receive a stipend of up to $1500.00 to reimburse travel to the NSSAR National Congress to participate in the Youth Awards Luncheon.
    • Cash awards greater than $600 may be received as a scholarship with the completion of appropriate tax documents.
  • Video entries are submitted to one of the local Chapters. The First Place winner from each Chapter will be submitted to the State level for judging. Chapter and State level judging and prizes, if any, are at the discretion of the Chapter and State, respectively. The State winner will advance to the National level contest. The judges may award some, all, or none of the place prizes at their discretion. At-Large entries may be accepted in the absence of local programs.
  • The contest calendar will generally correspond to the school calendar. Chapter and State level deadlines will be established by the individual State Societies. The deadline for submission at the National level shall be 15 February.
  • The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and is prohibited from endorsing or promoting any political party, candidate, or position. Therefore, all contest entries must likewise refrain from including any political content.