Video Contest
The Video Contest is for K-12th grades throughout the nation and is centered around the theme of “We Hold These Truths to be Self-Evident” as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the ideals that shaped our nation.
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About the Video Contest
The Video Contest is for K-12th grades throughout the nation and is centered around the theme “We Hold These Truths to be Self Evident…” from the Declaration of Independence!
In a 30 seconds -2 minute video students may choose to illustrate the purposes and applications of the Declaration of Independence that may include its history, adoption, and recognition of significant individuals involved. Or they may focus on any concept or specific freedom that shaped our nation included in the Declaration of Independence. Along with the cash prizes that will be awarded, the winning videos may be played at some of the Freedom Festival’s patriotic events. The deadline is March 1.
Special judging criteria will be based on how well you can tell a compelling story through video with attention to visual impact and artistic detail, while offering an inspirational message to your audience.
Contest Guidelines
Theme: “We Hold These Truths to be Self-Evident”
Eligibility: Open to all students K-12
Media: Video
Submission Deadline: March 1
Students may collaborate with others in the process of creating their video. They may also work as a group and submit their names together on the video they produced.
In a 30 second to 2 minute video students may choose to illustrate the purposes and applications of the Declaration of Independence that may include its history, adoption, and recognition of significant individuals involved. Or they may focus on any concept or specific freedom that shaped our nation included in the Declaration of Independence.
Works must be submitted as a digital format only.
All information presented in the video must be cited, giving credit to the original source. Plagiarism of any kind will result in disqualification. You DO NOT need to include your citations in your video. IF CHOSEN AS A FINALIST, you must submit a list of your sources, properly cited.
No personal or identifying information may appear on the video itself, so NO names, grades, teachers’ names or school names on the video.
Any music used in the video must be free of copyright.
- Find the copyright owner. To get permission to use a copyrighted song, you’ll need to find the artist or owner of the song and contact them directly.
- Discuss a permission agreement.
- Create a written permission agreement.
Divisions: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12
How to Submit
Click here to enter the Video Contest.
If you have any questions or are having difficulty submitting your video send an email to: videocontest@
Awards & Prizes
Awards and Prizes
Cash prizes will be based on judging criteria.
Grade 10-12: Win up to $1,000.00
Grade 7-9: Win up to $500.00
Grade 4-6: Win up to $250.00
Grade K-3: Win up to $125.00
Theme & Resource Helps
This year’s theme is “We Hold These Truths to be Self Evident” Students may choose to illustrate the purposes and applications of the Declaration of Independence and the ideals that shaped our nation as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of this document this year. This may include its history, adoption, and recognition of significant individuals involved. Or they may focus on any concept contained in the Declaration of Independence.
Theme Expansion Ideas:
- Endowed with Liberty: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- Endowed by Their Creator: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- We Hold These Truths: Celebrating 250 Years of Civic Courage
- Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- A Foundation Built on Principles: Celebrating 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- Consent of the Governed: Celebrating 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- “We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor”: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- When in the course of human events: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- Instituting New Government With Its Foundation Built on Principles: Celebrating 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
- Voices of Independence: Then, Now, Future
All submissions must support the primary values of: God, Family, Freedom, and Country
Website Resources:
- Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and the Constitution
- America 250 Utah (K-12 lesson plans)
- National Constitution Center
- Bill of Rights Institute
- Center for Civic Education
- Center for Constitutional Studies, Utah Valley University: constitution@uvu.edu
K-3 Winners
4-6 Winners
winner 2
winner 3
7-9 Winners
10-12 Winners
Have Questions?
Email us at contact@freedomfestival.org
