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.

Students in grades 6-12 are asked to create a short (5-7 minute) video documentary on a topic related to the 2016 competition theme, “Road to the White House”, and the issue they most want the candidates to discuss during the 2016 presidential campaign.

With cash prizes totaling $100,000, C-SPAN awards prizes to 150 student documentaries, and 53 teacher advisors!

• The competition is open to all students in grades 6-12. Grades 6-8 compete in the Middle School category, and grades 9-12 compete in the High School category.
• Middle School students are judged nationally against their peers. High School students are judged regionally against their peers in one of 3 regions (West/Central/East), based on their school state.
• Students may compete individually, or in teams of either 2 or 3 members.
• All documentaries must contain supporting C-SPAN footage that relates to the chosen topic.
• C-SPAN’s philosophy is to show varying sides of each issue. Winning StudentCam documentaries will also show a variety of points of view related to the chosen topic.
• Documentaries must be between 5-7 minutes.*End credits, if applicable, may run longer than the allotted 7 minute time frame.
• Entries must contain either end credits or a works cited list.

For a complete list of competition rules, click here.