Minds In Frame Competition: Stories About Addiction

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The Minds in Frame Competition gives young people ages 13–24 an opportunity to elevate their voices through storytelling that addresses real mental health challenges. The competition is designed to foster creativity, empathy, and education through short film development.

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This year, we are seeking original, youth-centered stories that explore addiction and its impact on young people, families, and communities. Stories may focus on a young person experiencing addiction, a parent or loved one struggling, peer pressure, family conflict, recovery, relapse, or learning how to ask for help. Submissions should approach addiction with honesty and compassion while challenging stigma and building understanding.

 

A completed script is not required. Applicants may submit a story idea, treatment, outline, or completed short film script of up to 10 pages. All submissions will be considered based on the strength, originality, and potential impact of the story, regardless of its stage of development.

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The Selected Creator Will
- Collaborate with the Glowmedia team to develop or refine the selected story into a polished, production-ready script

- Help ensure the script meets Glowmedia’s quality standards and is appropriate for classroom use

- Contribute to an educational film that can support meaningful discussion and curriculum development

 

Awards & Prizes

The winner will receive an all-inclusive trip to Los Angeles, California, to join the Glowmedia team during the filming of the selected story. The trip includes round-trip airfare, four nights' hotel accommodations, ground transportation, and a daily meal allowance. If the winner is under 18, travel for one parent or legal guardian will also be included.

 

Prize Eligibility and Restrictions

- The approximate total value of the prize will not exceed $4,999.

- If the winner is under 18, they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of travel.

- The prize is non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and not redeemable for cash.

- Glowmedia reserves the right to substitute the prize with one of equal or greater value.

 

RULES & TERMS

 

1. ELIGIBILITY

• Participants: This contest is open to U.S. citizens who are between the ages of 13 and 24 at the time of entry.

• Parental Consent: Participants under the age of 18 must provide written consent from a parent or legal guardian before receiving a prize or participating in a script lab.

• Geographical Restrictions: The contest is open to U.S. citizens residing in the United States only.

 

2. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Submission Period: The contest begins on August 1, 2026 and ends on September 30, 2026, at 11:59pm PT. All entries must be received by the deadline to be eligible.

• How to Enter: Participants must submit their original scripts or idea pitches via filmfreeway.com by the contest deadline.

• Entry Limitations: There are no limitations on the number of scripts or ideas a participant can submit.

• Entry Fee: There is no entry fee.

 

• Script Requirements:

  • It must be original and created by the participant

  • No longer than 10 pages and formatted according to standard screenplay formatting rules

  • Appropriate for a school audience (ages 13 and above), including language

  • Sensitive and respectful towards mental health issues, avoiding stereotypes and stigmatization

  • Incorporate themes like empathy, support, understanding, and resilience

  • Characters should be relatable to a school-age audience

  • Settings should be feasible for low-budget film productions

  • Include accurate information about mental health (If selected, our team of mental health professionals will work with you to ensure its accuracy)

  • Include characters learning about or dealing with mental health issues, showing a journey of understanding, support, or personal growth

  • Encourage representation of diverse backgrounds and perspectives

 

• Story Pitch Requirements:

  • Must provide a paragraph describing the story

  • Must provide a character list and descriptions

  • Must provide a paragraph explaining the importance of the topic and what it means to you.

 

3. JUDGING CRITERIA

• Selection Process: Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:

• Creativity and originality: 25%

• Relevance to the contest theme: 25%

• Quality of writing and structure: 25%

• Emotional impact or educational value: 25%

• The panel of judges includes psychologists, educators, writers, and filmmakers.

• The decision of the judges is final and binding.

• Judging Period for all tracks: The judging process will occur from October 1, 2026 to November 30, 2026.

 

4. PRIZES
The winner will receive:

• An all-inclusive trip to Los Angeles, California, to join the Glowmedia team during the filming of the selected story.

• Round-trip airfare

• Four nights' hotel accommodations

• Ground transportation

• A daily meal allowance

• If the winner is under 18, travel for one parent or legal guardian will also be included.

 

5. WINNER NOTIFICATION

• Notification: Winners will be notified via email on or before Friday, December 4, 2026.

• Claiming the Prize: Winners must respond within 7 days of notification. Failure to respond within this time period will result in forfeiture, and an alternate winner may be selected.

• For participants under 18, written confirmation of parental consent will be required before the prize can be awarded.

 

6. TAXES

• Winners are responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes associated with the prize. Winners will receive a 1099 tax form if required by law.

 

7. PUBLICITY AND USE OF ENTRIES

• By entering the contest, participants agree to allow the sponsor to use their name, likeness, and script for promotional purposes without further compensation unless prohibited by law.

• Winning Script Production: The winning script will be produced by the sponsor. By submitting their entry, participants grant the sponsor the right to adapt, produce, and distribute the winning script in any format, with full credit given to the creator.

 

8. GENERAL CONDITIONS

• Right to Modify or Cancel: The sponsor reserves the right to cancel, modify, or suspend the contest if any fraud, technical failure, or any other factor impairs the integrity of the contest.

• Disqualification: The sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any participant it finds to be tampering with the entry process or to be acting in violation of these rules or in an unsportsmanlike manner.

 

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

• The sponsor is not responsible for incomplete, lost, late, misdirected, or invalid entries. -The sponsor is also not responsible for any technical malfunctions or failures that could affect entry submission or winner selection.

• The sponsor is not liable for any damages, losses, or injuries resulting from participation in the contest or acceptance/use of the prize.

 

10. GOVERNING LAW

• This contest is governed by the laws of the District of Columbia. All disputes arising out of or in connection with this contest will be resolved in the courts located in the District of Columbia.

 

11. PRIVACY

• Personal Information: The sponsor will collect personal information for the purposes of administering the contest. The sponsor will not share or sell this information to third parties except as necessary to administer the contest.

 

12. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED

• This contest is void where prohibited by law. Participants residing in jurisdictions where this type of contest is not allowed are ineligible to enter.

 

13. OFFICIAL RULES ACCEPTANCE

• By entering the contest, participants agree to abide by these official rules and the decisions of the judges and sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects.

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Dates & Deadlines

• August 1, 2026: Opening Date

• September 30, 2026: Regular Deadline

• December 4, 2026: Notification Date

• February 25 – 28, 2027: Production​