C-SPAN StudentCam Documentary Competition Opening Soon
Offered by C-SPAN Education Foundation
About This Scholarship
StudentCam is C-SPAN's annual documentary competition for students in grades 6-12, now in its 23rd year, with separate middle school (6-8) and high school (9-12) categories. The 2027 theme, "Mr. Speaker, I Rise To…," asks students to imagine themselves as newly elected members of Congress and build a documentary around the issue they'd raise in their first House floor speech. Films must run 5:00 to 6:00 minutes — the length rule is strictly enforced — include relevant C-SPAN footage, explore multiple viewpoints including opposing ones, and cite sources.
C-SPAN awards $100,000 in cash prizes across 150 winning entries: one $5,000 grand prize, four $3,000 first prizes, sixteen $1,500 second prizes, thirty-two $750 third prizes, and ninety-seven $250 honorable mentions. Teacher advisers on the top 53 entries earn separate awards of $125 to $750, and one top winner picks up an extra $500 "Fan Favorite" prize by public vote.
You can work solo or in teams of two or three, with prize money split evenly among teammates. Entries are due January 20, 2027 — and with 150 prizes on the table, the odds beat most national contests.
Eligibility
- Students in grades 6-12 (middle school and high school divisions)
- Individual entries or teams of up to 3 students
- Documentary must run 5-6 minutes and include relevant C-SPAN footage
- Must present multiple viewpoints on the chosen issue, with cited sources
How To Apply
- Produce a 5-6 minute documentary on the annual theme, incorporating C-SPAN video clips
- Include end credits or a works-cited list with proper citations
- Upload your film and entry form at studentcam.org by January 20, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the $100,000 split up?
Prizes are spread across a grand prize, first, second, third, and honorable mention tiers in middle school and regional high school divisions — 150 films win money each year, and team prizes are split evenly among members.