Creative Writing and Short Film Competition

Hosted by the Chinese American Museum, DC
Sponsored by AARP

Theme:
Our America: Generation to Generation

Description:

This is an intergenerational storytelling competition. All the following “Parts” must be present in your work, though the order and fluidity in incorporating the parts is up to you.

Part 1: Define a topic within American history, American experience, or American culture.

Part 2: Engage with a Chinese American from an older generation to find out how they felt about that topic growing up, how it evolved, if it has evolved, and how they feel today.

Part 3: How do you feel about your chosen topic. Is your view different, varying or the same as the interviewees?

Part 4: Define your take aways from the interview process. Has your perspective changed or stayed the same?

Topics can be in any scope of the imagination – entertainment, culture, politics, environment. A topic needs to be defined and specific. For example, do not ask the interviewee, “How did you feel about climate change?” but rather, “How do you feel about oil refinement?”

You can interview a family member, neighbor, family friend, or other, as long as they are Chinese American and from an older generation than you.

Eligibility:

- High School Juniors and Seniors and College/University Undergraduate Students – up to age 22 and within the United States.

- All are welcome to participate. Interviewers do not need to identify as Chinese American, but the interviewee must be Chinese American.

- Note: Short film submissions may be worked on as a team of up to two persons. A primary must be determined as the competition registrant and both team members must meet eligibility parameters. Should your entry be a prize recipient, both team members will be recognized on the CAMDC website and accolades. Prizes are awarded to one entry, not per team member.

Judging Criteria:

- Creative Writing Essays and Short films will be regarded as two categories and will be evaluated separately.

- Short films should be 5-10 minutes long. Entries outside of these parameters will not be considered.

- Essays should be 2,500 – 5,000 words (5-10 pgs.) Entries outside of these parameters will not be considered.

- Your work needs a clear stated topic focus and title.

Example:
Topic: Oil Refinement
Title: “What’s Up With Oil?”

- Your interviewee needs to be clearly identified, and as Chinese American.

- Entries will be judged on cohesive and comprehensive topic story telling.

- Entries will be judged on storytelling creativity within chosen medium, creative writing or short film.

Dates and Deadlines:

- Entry Deadline: Sunday, November 27, 11:59 pm (before midnight)

- Winners Announced Tuesday, December 20, 11:59 pm

Prizes: Awards will be given for each category, Creative Writing and Short Film

Creative Writing
1st - $500
2nd - $250
3rd - $100

Short Film
1st - $500
2nd - $250
3rd - $100

How to Register for Competition and Submit Your Work:

Ready to enter the competition? Follow the steps below. *Note – you do not need to submit your work at the time of registration. 

  1. Register to enter the competition by filling out this form: Register  

  2. Submit your work: Creative Writing Essay or Short Film 

Essay Submission: 

Document format: Word doc. only  
File name format: First Name_Last Name  

Example: Tony_Zhang.doc

Email your essay with subject line Full Name_Essay Submission to generations@chineseamericanmuseum.org   

Example: Tony Zhang_Essay Submission 


Short Film Submission: 

Video format: MP4 or MOV  
Video quality: minimum resolution of at least 1080x720 for video that has a 16:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of at least 640x480 for video that has a 4:3 aspect ratio  

Upload to YouTube: 

        1. Go to youtube.com.  

           2. In the top-right corner, click CREATE--Upload Videos.  

           3. Select the file you’d like to upload.  

 4. In the description box, include 1) Your full name, 2) Title of your video, 3) A brief Introduction of your work.  

           5. Under Audience, click on “No, it’s not made for kids” and click “Next”.  

           6. Do not add any Video Elements, and click “Next”.  

 7. Under Visibility in the Save or publish box, choose “Unlisted” and Publish the Video. 

Copy and email the video link along with your Name and Title of your video to generations@chineseamericanmuseum.org

Email your short film with subject line Full Name_Short Film Submission  

Example: Tony Zhang_Short Film Submission   

For any questions or clarifications please email generations@chineseamericanmuseum.org.

By submitting your work, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

By submitting photography, video, and or written words (content), I hereby grant the Chinese American Museum Foundation (CAMF) permission to use content submitted in exhibits and projects, including museum displays, website, internet postings. I verify that I have the right to publish any people or intellectual property represented in the work and that I own the rights to have the content distributed, published, or otherwise promoted by CAMF as they see fit for their publication. I certify that photography, video, or word are not plagiarized from another source. I understand that the content that I submit to CAMF may be used in their publications in print or digitally as well as on their website and other internet postings. I understand that at no time shall I be paid, reimbursed, compensated, given museum benefits, or given royalties, now or at any point in the future by CAMF for this submission. I hereby irrevocably authorize CAMF to copy, edit, exhibit, publish or distribute the photography or words in their projects, web site or internet postings or for any other lawful purposes. I hereby hold harmless, release and forever discharge CAMF from all claims, demands, and causes of action which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators, or any other persons acting on my behalf or on the behalf of my estate have or may have by reason of this authorization. I certify that the person or ALL person(s) in the photography or referenced in text are at least 18 years of age. If they are under the age of 18, I certify that their parents or legal guardians have given approval. I have read this release and I fully understand the contents, meaning, and impact of this release.