Announcing the StudentCam 2008 Winners

C-SPAN is pleased to announce the winners of the 2008 StudentCam contest. This year we received 313 individual entries on topics as varied as Health Care, Illegal Immigration, Global Warming, Oil Dependency, Homelessness, Youth Voting, and many, many more. Congratulations to all the winners of C-SPAN Classroom's StudentCam video documentary competition! Thank you to all who entered. Winners can contact us at educate@c-span.org.

Click here to view our press release.

Click here to view the formal announcement of our competition winners on C-SPAN's morning program, The Washington Journal.

About The Competition

WHAT IS "C-SPAN StudentCam"? C-SPAN StudentCam is an annual documentary competition that encourages students to think seriously about issues that affect our communities and our nation. C-SPAN StudentCam invites students to identify a current political topic of interest and produce a short (up to ten minute) video documentary which creatively explores an issue while integrating C-SPAN programming. Watch a short video about the 2008 StudentCam Competition.

WHAT CONTENT SHOULD MY VIDEO INCLUDE? Video documentaries may include different elements-i.e. straight documentary, interviews, entertainment, promotional, news report, magazine style, or public service, but must also include C-SPAN programming. Limited use of copyrighted material would be permitted in an entry so long as it is a lawful or so-called "fair" use, and so long as such use does not overwhelm the contribution of the student(s). In addition to creatively exploring a current political topic of interest, successful entries will also follow C-SPAN's editorial principles by giving appropriate weight to opposing views of the chosen topic. The videos in this competition must also incorporate clips of C-SPAN programming.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN THE C-SPAN FOOTAGE? In order to find the content you need, check the C-SPAN schedule online or sign up to receive C-SPAN Alert, a daily email with up to date programming information. These resources will help you identify air dates and times of programs or events related to your issue. Once you have identified a program you think you might be able to use, make a copy when it airs. C-SPAN-produced programming is copyright cleared to copy (in either analog or digital forms) for use in educational applications like StudentCam. However, if the program you need has already aired, you may obtain a copy from the C-SPAN Archives.

WHAT MEDIA FORMAT CAN I USE? VHS or DVD.

WHAT IS THE VIDEO TIME LIMIT? Up to 10 minutes in length.

WHO CAN COMPETE? Middle school students (grades 6-8) and high school students (grades 9-12) in the United States as individuals, or teams of students may create and submit entries. Teams are limited to 3 students. Videos must be the original work of students, however, teachers may provide guidance and critiques. Teachers of top winners will receive money for digital media equipment for their schools.

HOW WILL THE VIDEOS BE JUDGED? We recognize that students have varying degrees of access to video production equipment and encourage all to apply! Entries will be judged on the following criteria: success in capturing the contest's themes; quality of expression, use of C-SPAN programming, inclusion of multiple viewpoints, and creativity.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE? Entries must be received in the C-SPAN offices by 5:00pm ET on Monday, December 31, 2007.

WHEN WILL THE PRIZE RECIPIENTS BE ANNOUNCED? Friday, February 15, 2008.