Make a short movie that conveys your message using one of the themes listed below. Create a story with visual and aural effects using popular video editing software such as After Effects, Sony Vegas, Movie Maker, Adobe Premiere, Final Cut, iMovie, and others.
The film must be between 3 and 5 minutes in length. English subtitles are required for submissions in languages other than English. Films should be made available for online viewing on public sites such as YouTube and Vimeo.
Initially, a trailer may be sufficient for the first stage of the competition to qualify for the final round as long as it contains all the elements that our judges will need to see to determine the quality of your entire film. All genres are welcome with the exception of music videos and animations.
If you are not authorised to utilise stock footage(s) entirely, you can use them in select parts of your film. The use of slideshows is not permitted. Once you have submitted your film, you can continue to work on it and make changes until the final submission date.
Themes / topics that you can use in your short film:
IGO specifically invites students aged 10 to 18 to create films exploring any of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We encourage young filmmakers to use their creative talents to contribute to global discussions on these pressing issues.
Judging Criteria
| Storytelling & Script | Well-developed storyline told visually. Engaging, clear plot with entertainment and/or educational value. Supporting details enhance the main idea. |
20 |
| Performance & Expression | Actors or animation effectively convey emotions and direction. Blocking and movement enhance storytelling. Scenes feel natural and engaging. |
15 |
| Cinematography & Editing | Strong camera techniques (focus, framing, angles, composition). Smooth editing with effective transitions and video effects. Pacing maintains audience attention. |
15 |
| Sound Design & Music | Clear, well-mixed audio. Soundtrack complements the story. Effective use of sound. | 10 |
| Originality & Creativity | Unique approach, fresh perspective, and innovative storytelling. Avoids clichés and predictable narratives. | 10 |
| Engagement & Impact | Overall effectiveness in capturing and maintaining audience attention. Leaves a lasting impression or delivers a strong message. | 10 |
| Oral Presentation | Clearly explains the film’s concept, production process, and creative choices. Engages the audience with confidence and clarity. Well-structured and rehearsed. | 10 |
| Relevance to SDGs | Film connects meaningfully to one or more UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serves to raise awareness, educate, or present a creative solution. | 10 |
| Total | 100 | |