FAQ
Does it have to be a 1st person story?
No. It can be fictional content.
I’m a teacher. Do I really get $1,000 or $500 if my student wins?
YES!! We haven’t forgotten about you. Hope Givers LOVES educators and we want to celebrate you for your hard work!
And FYI - you can help as many students as you like. Students can only submit one video, however, your name can be on multiple submissions.
Can you extend the deadline?
Yes. We just did. Deadline is March 1st!
What are the rules?
Your film must be between 30-90 seconds. 60 seconds is ideal.
If you’re using a phone, turn it sideways. It has to be horizontal.
Creative way to tell your story.
Does my parent or guardian have to sign a release form if I’m under 18?
Yes. You can download it here. Be sure to include the signed document in your submission.
Can it be a documentary video about me?
4 out of our 6 finalists (and all 3 of our honorable mentions) last film challenge were first-person perspective films.
Can it be a documentary video about my friend or someone I know?
Yes, but do it in a creative way. Show, don’t tell.
Can it be a narrative short film video where I cast actors?
Yes. One of our finalist films last year cast actors.
Can it be an animated video?
PLEASE. We will consider any creative way to tell your story.
Is it really as easy as filming this on a phone?
Yes. Look at our YOUTH ACROSS AMERICA segments in our PBS Hope Givers series. Most student films are shot with a phone.
But I don’t have a phone?
Your mentor does.
Do I have to use a camera phone?
Absolutely not! You can use any camera as long as it’s at least HD 1080P.
I want to use music, what music can I use?
License Free/Royalty free only. Exceptions: created original music or music you have paid for the rights to use. Most importantly, you cannot use copyrighted music without obtaining the rights.
Do I need a mentor to help me with this video? It’s really simple - I can do it myself.
You must have a mentor on your team. They don’t have to film it but they will help you. We promise.
Can I get my Parent or Guardian to help me instead of a teacher at my school?
No. One of our grant initiatives is to bring more connectedness to schools by providing more opportunities for teacher/student relationships.
Can my Football Coach be my mentor?
Yes! You can select anyone at your school who is a teacher, counselor, administrator, or coach.
Does my mentor have to be in the video?
NO. They just need to work with you behind the scenes. Here’s some examples of how they may be able to help you:
Just to talk
Help develop your idea
Help create your story
Help acquire a film location
Help with production
Help with editing or giving feedback
Help with your Hope Film Challenge submission
Help communicate with Hope Givers judges
Is this Grant for College?
Our Hope Film Grant and Storytelling Award is an inclusive grant because we know some of you will be going into the military, traveling, joining the peace corps, etc. The only stipulation for our grant is that you use the funds for hope.
I’m not a filmmaker. Can I enter?
Yes! Please. If you are a student in grades 6-12, you can submit a video.
Do you have examples I can look at?
Yes, click on these example but these should not influence your video. Please only look at these for inspiration, not for themes.
Do you have prompts to help us?
Yes, but you DO NOT need to use them.
Remember, we are looking for stories that fit our topics we’re highlighting this season in Hope Givers.
Here is a list of prompts:
I was raised to believe…
What keeps me up at night is…
When I step outside my door…
Most days I feel…
My greatest challenge is…
My parent(s) want me to…
My day looks like…
My story of hope started when…
You don’t know what it’s like to…
What gets me out of bed in the morning is…
The people I relate to are…
I took a risk when…
I never expected…
When this is over…
Now is the time…
Family looks like…
My American dream…
My life right now…
Looking ahead, I…
I stand for…
Can it be about me? Can I be in it?
Yes! We want real stories.
I go to a private school or home school. Can I still enter?
Yes.
I love the soundtrack from Encanto. Can I have that music in my video?
No! Please no! Unless you paid his publishing company for those rights, you can NOT have any listened music, videos, etc in your video. Your video has to be completely original!
Hi. Teacher again. I have one last question. Do I have to spend the $1,000 on school stuff?
Nope. This is an inclusive grant that states that you must use the grant funds for hope. Got a grandma in a nursing home that needs a bill paid? Go for it. Need some help to lower that college debt? Go for it. Want to go to the Bahamas and spread some hope on a sunny beach? Go for it.
If I’m a finalist, are you going to own my film?
Yes, all finalists must agree to an exclusive license because we are distributing your film nationally on our series that is distributed by Georgia Public Broadcasting for PBS LearningMedia.
Do I have to live in Georgia to submit?
This is a national film competition. You can live anywhere in the United States of America.
What are you really looking for?
Simple, entertaining and effective stories of hope that brings empathy to one’s life.
Any topics more important than others?
What is relevant right now? We are definitely looking for Hope Film Challenge stories that align with our episode topics but don’t let that discourage you from submitting your great story of hope and resilience!!