On this page you will find the answers to the questions we get asked most often. We'll keep adding to them as we hear from you, so make sure you click the button to register for updates.
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Who can enter?
Australian residents in years 7-12 at high school (or equivalent) can enter Videos for Change 2020.
Who is eligible for the People's Choice Award?
The finalists for both the Junior and Senior High Grand Prizes will be announced after entries close. All finalists will also be eligible for the People's Choice Award. Voting for the People's Choice Award takes place over a two-week period, when we encourage everyone to spread the word to friends and family across the world to come to the Videos for Change website, check out the finalists and cast their votes for their favourites. The video with the most votes and shares from the website will be crowned the winner! Follow us by clicking on the social links at the bottom of this page to be up to date with all of the latest news!
Who can I have in my team?
Teams can be made up of 1 to 6 people. We encourage you to form teams with students in the same year group. However, if you do mix the ages between Years 7-12, the team should enter the Award category based on the oldest member of the team.
Are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students eligible for other prize categories?
Yes. If you are eligible for the Indigenous Youth Voice award, (and you tick the box indicating this as part of the entry process) then you will also be eligible for both the Indigenous Youth Voice award, and either the Junior or Senior High Grand Prize, based on the oldest member of your team. For example, if you have one or more key members of your team who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students and the oldest member of your team is in Year 11 and the youngest is in Year 7, your team will be eligible for the Senior High Grand Prize, the Indigenous Youth Voice and if your team is also selected as a finalist, your video will also be eligible for the People's Choice Award.
What if a parent, teacher or another adult helps with the video?
We understand that sometimes you might need a bit of help with your video. It is absolutely OK to get advice from people who aren’t on your team, in fact, it’s great practice to seek information from experts!
Getting help with organisation and guidance on technical aspects of making your video are both totally acceptable. Make sure, however, that the actual work of creating and editing your video is done by you or members of your team. After all, Videos for Change is about sharing YOUR voice and giving young people a platform to be heard!
Can we enter more than one video?
Absolutely! Don’t be tempted to go for quantity just for the sake of it though - one really authentic video about an issue that you are truly passionate about is more likely to have a much bigger impact on your audience.
What kind of video is most likely to win?
No one particular style of video is more likely to win than others. Past entries have included live action, animation and stop motion or even a blend of more than one style. Check out some of the past entries for inspiration!
Are there any topics we aren’t allowed to do?
Videos for change must be ‘G’ rated. This doesn’t mean you can’t address serious issues, just make sure that you handle them in a responsible way. Our student resources have more information on how to ensure that your video is ‘G’ rated.
Does the video need to have sound?
It’s entirely up to you! However, music and other sounds can help add to the impact of your message. If you do include music, make sure that it is copyright and royalty free. Check out our tips on sound and music in the Student Resources section.
Can we enter a draft video for feedback?
No. If you aren’t sure whether your video is ready for final submission, check out our tips in the resource section or in the In-Depth Student Guide. You can also ask your friends, family or teachers for their feedback and advice.
What format does the video need to be submitted in?
All video entries submitted should be in one of the following standard file formats: MP4, MOV, MPEG4, AVI, WMV or WebM. A 1080p High Definition MP4 with H.264 codec is preferred, if possible.
Who needs to fill in a talent release form?
Anyone outside of your team who appears in your video or creates music for your video needs to fill in one of these Talent Release Forms, depending on how old they are at the time of filming. You can download them here:
Talent Release Form (Under 18)
Who needs to fill in an entry form?
Every member of your team must complete a Team Member Entry Form.
Do I need to submit a location release form?
It is important to have permission from the owners or managers of any property where filming takes place. We've created a Location Release Form to make it simple to get approval. It is also important to be aware of any identifiable branding that may appear in the background. For example, where shop signage is evident. Double-check your footage to make sure that you've gotten permission!
How do we submit our forms and video?
Once entries open, you can upload your video along with all of the completed forms by visiting the 'ENTER' section of this website. Make sure you have all of your forms and the right video file ready to upload. It's important to keep your original video file in case you need to export it as a higher res version to feature on TV! During the uploading process you will be asked to give your file a specific name so we can link it to all of your information.
Where can we get help with the entry process?
If you don’t find the answers you are looking for in these FAQs, email us at vfc@highresolves.org
What happens to our videos once they’ve been submitted?
Videos for Change entries may be featured on the Videos for Change and High Resolves websites and through social media. The finalists in each category also have the chance to be shown on Network 10’s The Project.
Once the entries have been received, they will be sorted into the age categories. Each video will go through a validation process to make sure all of the necessary forms have been included, and copyright and G-classification requirements have been met. All validated entries will then go through a judging process at High Resolves to determine the finalists from each age category.
The Grand Prize winners will be decided by a panel of judges.
Visit the How it Works section of this website for more information about each phase of the competition.
How does Videos for Change handle our personal information?
We are committed to protecting your privacy. Please read our privacy policy for more information on how we collect and handle your personal information.
Haven’t found an answer to your question? Send us an email with a brief summary of the issue you are having and we will get back to you as soon as we can!
Our Partners
Videos for Change is a special initiative developed by High Resolves, a recognised leader in the design and delivery of citizenship and education learning experiences and is proudly sponsored by Network 10 and Platypus.
