1UP Creatives for Change Challenge
The first step of change is awareness.
Got something to say about your city? Turn it into a three-part reel series that makes people stop scrolling and start caring. Create on your own or in a team of up to 3, pick up tricks from the pros, and your series could premiere on the big screen at the 1UP Conference. The crowd picks the winner, and the winner takes home $200!
How it works
Three reels. One story.
Each video is under a minute, so every second counts. Together, they take your audience from “wait, what?” to “okay, what can I do?”
Video 1: The Problem
Frame it
Hook them with the issue. What’s happening in your neighbourhood, school or city, and why? Use facts, visuals, your own experience or whatever makes it hit.
Video 2: The People
Make it matter
Put faces to the issue. Who’s most affected, and why should anyone care right now? Interview people, dig into the research and show what it looks like in real life.
Video 3: The Possibility
Drive change
Leave them fired up. What could change? Share a solution, a policy, a community action or your dream version of your city, and show where young people fit in.
Your style, your call
Animated · Documentary · Scripted · Talk to camera · Mixed media
Animate it, film it, act it out or talk straight to camera. If it tells the story, it works.
Stuck on a topic?
Green Spaces
Does your neighbourhood have enough parks and trees to stay cool in a heatwave?
Getting Around
Is it easy and safe to walk, bike or take transit where you live? Who gets left out?
Housing
Can people afford to live where they work, study and hang out?
Extreme weather
How do heat, flooding or storms hit your community?
Dream City
If you could change one thing about your neighbourhood, what would it be?
Got your own idea? Even better. Any climate justice issue you care about is fair game.
More than just views
Everyone has a perspective worth sharing. Here’s what you get for sharing yours:
Join the virtual trainings, submit your series and knock 10 hours off your 40.
The top 2 scoring series hit the big screen at the 1UP Conference on December 5. 100+ youth from across Ontario vote for their favourite, and the winner walks away with $200. Standout videos could also land on 1UP’s Instagram.
Our virtual trainings break down exactly what makes a winning series, straight from city building pros who know marketing and digital media.
Walk away with a finished three-part series, plus research, editing and storytelling skills to show off to schools and future employers.
Social media isn’t just for likes. Use it to teach your peers something new and get them to take action.
Your formula for a winning series
Want to know what the judges are looking for? These three Zoom sessions give you the recipe. Each one covers a part of the judging rubric, taught by city building pros who know marketing and digital media. Open to everyone, and every session is recorded, so you never miss an ingredient.
Workshop 1: Reels 101
Monday, October 19
7:00 to 7:45 PM
Creativity and video quality make up a quarter of your score. Learn the hooks and tricks that make people stop scrolling and keep watching to the end.
Workshop 2: Research & Community Participation
Wednesday, October 28
7:00 to 7:45 PM
Judges want to see that you really understand your issue. Find out who is most affected and how to back up your story with research, data and real community voices.
Workshop 3: Storytelling & Narrative
Tuesday, November 3
7:00 to 7:45 PM
Three good videos aren’t enough. They need to work as one. Learn how to connect your series into a clear story with a message that sticks.
Who Can Join
The Quick Rules
- Open to students in grades 9 to 12
- Enter on your own or as a team of up to 3
- Join all 3 virtual trainings if you can. Missed one? Catch the recording
- Fill out the participation and feedback surveys when we send them
Register to get training links, reminders and updates straight to your inbox.
You’re In
Now make something great
Your creator toolkit
Everything you need to plan, film and submit.
Competition Brief
The full rundown, including the three-part challenge
and judging rubric.
1UP Brand Guidelines
The colours, fonts and logos to use so your series looks right at home on 1UP’s Instagram.
Final check before you submit:
- Each video is under 1 minute
- Filmed vertically (9:16) in 1080p or higher
- Text is easy to read, with captions
- 1UP brand colours and fonts are on point
Due Monday, November 30 at 11:59 PM
Come back here to submit when our submission link goes live!
Level up your videos
Want your series to stand out? Tap into these extras.
Virtual Trainings
Want the secret formula for a winning series? Three Zoom sessions with the pros, open to everyone.
Networking Days
Meet city building pros in person and get their take on your ideas.
*Our GTA Networking Day has wrapped up. We’re not running the Waterloo Region and Hamilton Networking Days this fall, but we hope to bring them back. In the meantime, join us at the 1UP Conference in December.
1UP Conference
Saturday, December 5 at Evergreen Brick Works
Watch the finalists premiere, cast your vote and explore city building careers.