StudentCam is C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think critically about issues that affect our communities and our nation. 

In this midterm election year with control of Congress hanging in the balance, we are asking students in grades 6-12 to create a short (5:00-6:00 minute) video documentary that relates to the competition theme:

“Mr. Speaker, I Rise To…”
We’re asking students to put themselves in the shoes of a newly elected member of Congress and produce a documentary on the issue they would address in their first speech before the legislature, explain why they chose their stated issue, consider various points of view on their topic, and describe potential solutions.

C-SPAN awards cash prizes totaling $100,000 to the student filmmakers of the top 150 student documentaries.

The submission deadline for all entries is Wednesday, January 20, 2027. Winners to be announced in March 2027.