ABOUT THE CONTEST

The STN Challenge gives students six days to produce a variety of broadcast and film projects based on provided prompts. This is a great contest for students of all levels to put their skills to the test in a real world, deadline-driven scenario.

Schools may enter one team per category at $25/each before registraion closes on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Up to 4 students can enter the broadcast categories and up to 6 students in the film categories. Each student registered will serve as a student leader on their team. Some high school categories will offer divisions based on a program’s experience level. Contest prompts will be posted to the STN website and social media on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 8AM PT and students will have until Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 5PM PT to upload their finished projects.

All interviews and video footage must be shot during the contest period. File footage, clips from other media outlets, or parts of previous stories not allowed. Still pictures are allowed for backstory. Teachers, advisers, and professionals may not shoot, write, or edit any part of an entry. The final entry must be 100% student-produced. Teachers must only advise.

Each entry will be scored and provided a critique by a professional who will offer their expert opinion and feedback, based on years of work experience in the TV/Film industry. All contest divisions will attempt to award a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, and if applicable up to two honorable mentions. If the entries in a category do not meet the criteria, the judges may elect to award less or no awards at all. Winners in each category receive awards and recognition on all STN social media and the STN website. Judging generally takes 3-4 weeks to be completed. Teachers will be notified 1-2 days before results are posted.

All questions and concerns about contests can be sent directly to shonda@studenttelevision.com.