Latest Generation Film Contest

What’s unique about your community? Are you the next Greta Gerwig or Wes Anderson? Students ages 14-22 can join the Latest Generation Film Challenge to try your hand at creative storytelling - a short film about where you live. Join the contest community to benefit from expert sessions, peer connections and supportive reminders

This first year the contest is limited to residents of Midwest states with plans for national expansion in future years.

Quick Facts:

Open to filmmakers ages 14-22 who reside in the Midwest

2024 Theme: “On This Land” exploring events, figures, and movements that have shaped your local area and beyond

Duration: Films must be between 5-8 minutes long

Submissions Due: December 31, 2024

Winners Announced: March 2025

Prize: Cash prizes ranging from $500-$2,000 in each of 3 age categories

Award celebration will take place at a red carpet premiere in Chicago in spring 2025.

Virtual Mentoring Sessions: Join any of our free sessions this fall with expert filmmakers and historians.

Sept 24- Florentine Films Webinar https://bit.ly/FlorentineMentorSession

Oct 1- Teacher Workshop https://bit.ly/PDStoryDevelopment
Oct 3. -Teacher Workshop https://bit.ly/PDProducing

Oct 15 -History From Your Point of View https://bit.ly/ChicagoMentors
Oct 26-.Twin Cities PBS Webinar https://bit.ly/TwinCitiesPBS

Join our Discord https://discord.gg/G8vY4GWB3G

Sign up here and get updates: https://forms.gle/YEdoFuNPURUxWjyt8

Lincoln Presidential Foundation is able to offer this program with generous support from The Better Angels Society through the Amy Margerum Berg Education Fund.

Awards & Prizes

All winning submissions will receive a cash prize. The awards for each place in each age bracket are as follows:

• First (1st) Place: $2,000 cash prize
• Second (2nd) Place: $1,000 cash prize
• Third (3rd) Place: $500 cash prize

NOTE: In the case of group submissions, the prize amount will be divided among members of the group.

Entrants must be 14-22 years old as of December 31, 2024. Submissions will be grouped and judged according to the following age brackets as of December 31, 2024:

• 14-16
• 17-19
• 20-22

(Featured)