Prizes & Awards

 Spring 2021 Planet911 Youth Film Challenge
Prizes & Awards

Grand Prize
$1000 to use toward furthering your education

Category Winner Age 13-16
$500 to use toward furthering your education

Category Winner Age 17-22
$500 to use toward furthering your education

Impact Award
$1000 to use toward furthering your education given to the filmmaker whose film
is determined to have the most impact through storytelling

Impact Grant
Up to $1500 – At the discretion of the Planet911 team, one or more additional awards
will be given to organizations or a school to foster work in progress. Award must be
used to support work underway on a project highlighted through a submitted film. The
Award will be given to a school or organization working to foster positive Planet
Stewardship improving conditions caused as a result of the Climate Crisis.  The cash
amount will be determined based on expected impact of the project and other factors.

Honorable Mention
The Planet911 team may decide that one or more films deserve to be recognized with
an honorable mention. In that case, a cash award will be determined and valued at no
less than $50 and no more than $250 to accompany this award.

People’s Choice Award (formerly Social Media Award)
$500 to the film with most social votes. Youth are encouraged to get creative and
promote voting for their film through social media. Films must tag EarthX and Planet911 and have a minimum of 100 votes to be eligible. 

Earlybird Prize
If five or more films have been submitted by the early deadline of midnight (CDT) on February 15, 2021, they will go into a drawing. The prize will be selected by the Planet911 team. At minimum the prize will include film related equipment with a cash value of up to $250 or cash equivalent.


Group Cash Awards
Most Motivated School Award
$1000 to use towards environmental education OR towards an environmental justice or improvement project for the school with the most entries (5 entries minimum).

Most Motivated Organization Award
$1000 to use towards environmental education OR towards an environmental justice or improvement project by the youth organization with the most entries (5 entries minimum).

Note: Each filmmaker is eligible for only one individual cash prize. Filmmakers may enter more than one film. Multiple films by a single filmmaker may be selected to be a part of the 25 + finalist films and screened at an awards ceremony either virtually or in a theatre TBA. If one film or one filmmaker wins two cash prizes, the filmmaker will receive the prize at the highest cash value. (As an example, if the same filmmaker wins the People’s Choice Award (valued at $500) and the Grand Prize (valued at $1000) the filmmaker would receive the highest cash prize (valued at $1000). The purpose for this is to allow more youth to be eligible to receive prizes and be recognized for their accomplishments.
Planet911/EarthxYouth Fellowship – Delayed until Summer 2021

Filmmakers who entered the Fall 2020 Planet911 Youth Film and Filmmakers who enter the Planet911 Spring 2021 Youth Film Challenge may be offered the opportunity to participate in the first Planet911/EarthxYouth Fellowship Program. Filmmakers receiving invitations will be selected by the Planet911 team with input from participating judges. A short essay will be required for consideration. Applications may open concurrent to this film challenge.

In partnership with Creative Visions and under the Planet911 brand, youth winners will be invited to an educational seminar series. This series will be virtual. Anticipated dates TBD between mid May and the end of August. Students will be invited to create a TED-Ed style presentation or a short film about a given environmental topic and share it for the first time at Half Earth Day – October 22, 2021 and/or Earth Day April 22, 2022, either in person or in a virtual setting TBD. Or students may choose to participate as a moderator, guest or town hall participant on Planet911 Youth Reports.

Experts and educators will work with students and share information and give assignments to include storytelling, scripting, speech writing, interview skills, film tips, speaking tips and more. Speakers will be chosen from among EarthX and Creative Visions staff, EarthxFilm Advisory council, community partners, filmmakers and friends of EarthX. Youth will choose an environmental topic related to the initial assignment and work toward their TED-Ed style presentation. Students will be able to engage in dialogue with experts and each student will have one mentor assigned for the duration of the program or will be given a variety of mentors depending on area of focus and availability of mentors.

All finalists between the ages of 14 and 22 in either the Fall 2020 Planet911 Youth Film Challenge or the Spring 2021 Youth Film Challenge will have the opportunity to apply for this inaugural Planet911/EarthxYouth Fellowship. Additional applicants may come from Planet911 Youth Reports participants, Rock Your World participants and other youth partner programs. Up to 10 Fellows will be chosen. Selection will be made from the top 25 + film finalists and any additional youth specifically recommended by the Planet911 team. In spring 2021, after being selected as a film finalist, filmmakers who meet the age requirements will receive a congratulatory email inviting them to apply for the fellowship including requirements and commitments if accepted. Applications will be sent out at that time and will include an essay question.
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