Video Challenge

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Humanities Video Challenge 2025

The deadline has passed. Thank you to all who entered—we look forward to seeing you at the open house!

In connection with the Humanities Open House, we are sponsoring a video contest for humanities majors and minors. Let's broadcast all the amazing things humanists are doing—and why they matter!

The Challenge

We invite you to submit an up to 90-second video that answers your choice of ONE of the following questions:

  • What draws you to the humanities as a major or a minor?
  • What’s your most memorable experience in a humanities course or a humanities event at Illinois?
  • Why are the humanities needed more than ever in 2025?
  • What do the humanities look like to you?

Eligibility

To participate, you must be an actively enrolled University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign undergraduate with a declared College of Liberal Arts and Sciences humanities major or minor.

Deadline

Submit your video by September 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

The Winners

The winners (first, second and third place) will be notified one week prior to the Humanities Open House, with the winning videos publicly announced and prizes awarded at the Humanities Open House on October 4.

First Prize will receive $500; Second Prize, $250; and Third prize, $125, deposited to the winner’s student account.* Please note: The prize money is per video, not for each student involved in production.

Videos may be shared widely across various media on campus. By submitting your video, you consent to this use.

Rules

  • This challenge is for undergraduate students majoring or minoring in a humanities program in LAS. Applicants must be enrolled/active at the time videos are submitted.
  • No prior video creation or editing experience is necessary.
  • Video must not exceed the time limit of 90 seconds.
  • One submission per student. Even if you work as a team, only one student can apply via the official entry.
  • Video must be original content.
  • Any music incorporated must be royalty-free or otherwise have permission.
  • All video submissions must include a release form for the creator submitting AND all individuals participating. Anyone speaking on camera or otherwise clearly featured must sign a release form (including yourself!) Download a release (opens in PDF). It is acceptable to use one form to collect all signatures. When submitting your entry, please upload the completed release with signatures. Tip: You can scan it into a PDF to upload or take a snapshot of the form and upload it as an image.
    • It is the responsibility of the student applicant to secure release forms on behalf of all individuals featured in the video. Forms must for signed and saved as PDF documents.
    • By signing the release form, you grant all rights to HRI, LAS, and the Library to use the video in perpetuity for public communication and marketing.
    • By signing the release form, you agree to give copies of editable files to HRI for use in future promotions of the contest or of the humanities at Illinois.
  • Videos must be in mp4 format.
  • Videos that do not meet the judging criteria may not be included in public communications about the contest.

Guidelines

Overall, please use your best judgment in handling privacy and respecting those who want to opt out of being filmed. Some basic guidelines:

  • If you are outdoors on campus, you do not need to seek advance permission to take video.
  • If you are indoors, you may need to seek advance permission, depending on the nature of your video and the policies of that particular campus building.
  • Is it just you in visible in the video? Are you filming in a non-disruptive way? You may not need special permission.

If you are in a building that requires permission, please be sure to check in with either a communications person or facilities manager related to the building/unit to discuss first.

  • Likewise, if your video may cause some disruption (e.g., you are performing a skit, or if any aspect may be noisy), please check in first with a building representative.
  • If you are in a classroom, definitely speak to your instructor in advance for permission and be respectful of fellow students who want to opt out of the video.

Judging

Videos will be judged by an ad hoc panel of U of I humanities faculty and staff, according to the following criteria:

  • excellence in storytelling
  • level of creativity
  • effectively communicates the importance of the humanities

Questions?

Questions about this video challenge can be addressed to HRI Deputy Director Nancy Castro.

*All prizes and awards paid to U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Resident Aliens are taxable income and reported to the IRS and the student on Form 1099-MISC  

All prizes and awards are considered a resource when determining the student's eligibility for financial aid. Therefore, they are reported to the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA), and may have an impact on the type and amount of financial aid the student receives. OSFA will make the necessary adjustment to the student’s financial aid award upon notification of the prize or award. This adjustment may create or increase a balance due on the student’s U of I System account. The student is responsible for reviewing her/his Financial Aid Award letter and student account billing statement after the prize or award has been paid in order to understand the impact of the payment.

All awards & prizes to foreign national nonresident aliens must be processed through University Payroll & Benefits (UPB) prior to disbursement.