Rules and Guidelines

All videos should be entered in digital format.

We will not accept audio-only recordings or videos recorded on VHS tapes.

While we like MP4 the best, we generally accept the following formats: 3g2, 3gp, 3gp2, 3gpp, asf, asx, avi, divx, mts, m2t, m2ts, m2v, m4v, mkv, mov, mp4, mpe, mpeg, mpg, ogg, wmv.

Video resolution should be 640×480 for standard-definition 4:3 video, 853×480 for widescreen DV, and 1280×720 or 1920×1080 for high-definition video. If you have the option to control the pixel aspect ratio (not display aspect ratio), make sure it’s set to ‘1:1’ or ‘1.00’, also sometimes called ‘square pixels.’

Students may be located anywhere in the world.

Students outside of the United States must fill out the parent/guardian participation consent form following General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines. The Consent Form is to be signed by a parent/guardian and uploaded with their video submission.

Students must currently be in grades 6 to 12 (in the U.S.), or the international equivalent, to enter the contest and be eligible to win.

Students in middle school or under the age of 13 must attach a signed parent/guardian participation consent form with their video submission in order to be eligible for the contest.

All video entries must be in English or include English subtitles if in another language.

Students may enter individually or in a group.

There is no limit to the number of students working in a group, but we recommend groups of 2-4.

Please begin your video with a 5-second full-screen “title screen” and include the following information:

Lead producer & any co-producers’ names
School name
School city, state/country
Title of video
Video running time (not including the 5-second title screen or a 5-second works cited slide at the end)

Resource: Title Screen Template

Your video must not exceed 60 seconds.

The 5-second title screen does not count towards this time limit.

We also recommend including your works cited at the end of your video, but it is not required. If you do include a citation slide at the end, it will not count towards the 60-second total time for the video.

Plagiarism of any kind will result in disqualification.

All information presented in the video must be cited, giving credit to the original source. It is not a requirement to include all of your citations in your video, but you should cite resources according to the author’s instructions.

If chosen as a finalist, you must submit a list of your sources, properly cited using a method of your choice (MLA, APA, Harvard, etc.) and not just website links.

Each video must have one Lead Producer to serve as the main point of contact.

Recognition and prizes will be given to all producers listed on the entry form.

There is no entry fee.

The deadline for submissions is 11:59 pm EST on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis from the opening of the contest on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 – Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

Each entry must focus on ONE of the following global topics and how population growth impacts that topic.

• Energy
• Wetlands
• Economics

No copyrighted materials (music, images, video clips, etc.) may be used for this contest unless you own the copyright or have a license to use the material for this contest.

Written permission must be obtained and provided upon request for all copyrighted materials. All other images and resources should be cited as requested by the author.

No professional assistance is allowed. Adults may assist with production but are limited to verbal guidance only.

Adults are allowed to be actors or cameramen but not content contributors.

All portions of the online entry form must be completed when you upload your video for it to be an eligible submission for the contest.

IF CHOSEN AS A FINALIST you must submit a signed/completed Video Release Form, a signed/completed Media Release Form and a signed/completed Actor Release Form for each person appearing in your video.

Forms can be scanned/emailed to: [email protected]; faxed to 202-332-2302; or mailed to:

World of 8 Billion Contest
2120 L St NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20037

Content must comply with all local and national laws of the country of origin and the United States. Content must not

1) Promote illegal behavior
2) Support racial, religious, sexual or other invidious prejudice
3) Advocate sexual or violent exploitation
4) Violate rights established by law or agreement
5) Invade the privacy of any person
or 6) be otherwise inappropriate as determined by Population Connection in its sole and conclusive determination.

The judges’ decision is final. Entries will be judged by topic, with winners in each of the three global topic areas.

Decisions will be made based on the World of 8 Billion Judging Rubric.

The only compensation for submitting a video is the opportunity to be awarded a prize if the entry wins. Population Connection will pay filmmakers no additional compensation nor be liable to the filmmaker under any circumstances.

Students may submit as many video entries as they wish. However, only 1 first place prize will be awarded per student/team, and no student/team may receive more than 2 awards total per contest cycle.

Awards will be presented as follows:

Global Finalists

Videos that were chosen as global finalists for each topic will be awarded an $80 prize for high school and a $50 prize for middle school.

Students should keep at least one copy of their video. Population Connection is not responsible for any films that are lost, damaged, or that do not upload properly.

Ownership of the underlying intellectual property of the project remains with the entrant, with the following exceptions.

Entrants grant Population Connection the right to use, reproduce, reprint, distribute, perform, and/or display the entrant’s project video without further compensation or notification to the entrant.

Students may submit as many video entries as they wish. However, only 1 first place prize will be awarded per student/team, and no student/team may receive more than 2 awards total per contest cycle.

Population Connection maintains the right to reproduce, reprint, distribute, perform, display, or exhibit the project for advertising, publicity, and promotional purposes on its website, at conferences, or at any other venues.

By accepting the prizes, winners agree to hold Population Connection and all Population Connection employees harmless against any and all claims and liability arising out of use of such prizes. Winner assumes all liability for any injury or damage caused from participation in the contest or use/redemption of any prize.

Entrants agree to be bound by the official contest rules and decisions of the judges.