SEVA

Contest Rules

Content Guidelines

The Student Educational Video Awards are intended for all grades kindergarten through college, and as such, each video needs to be appropriate viewing material for all ages. Additionally, videos entered may be shown to SECCTV’s audiences in homes across the region via cable television and online. Each video not only represents the student producer but also their school and teacher. It is up to teachers to decide if videos meet the “family-friendly” criteria and should be entered into the contest, therefore each teacher will need to give final approval for each video entered.

Release Forms

Each entry must include signed video release forms from everyone appearing on camera as well as the student producers who create the video. Anyone under the age of 18 must recieve a signature by a parent/legal gardian. The video release form authorizes the reproduction, copyright, exhibition, broadcast, cablecast, webcast, podcast and/or distribution of this video and audio content without limitation for educational programming and promotional purposes. Failure to submit all necessary release forms will result in the entry becoming disqualified fom the contest. Download the release form here.

Video length limits

All entries in the Public Service Announcement (PSA) category must be strictly between 29 and 31 seconds, not including credits. All other categories must be under 15 minutes. Any entries exeeding this limit will be disqualified from the contest.

All Entries Must Use Only Copyright-Free Materials

If you include any elements (video, photos, graphics and/or music) not created by you, your entry MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A LICENSE/WAIVER from the copyright holder or include a Creative Commons License obtained from the source. All materials must allow for the use of their content on Television and YouTube. Entries that contain unauthorized copyrighted elements will be disqualified from the contest. SECC’s policy may be different than your school/district policy.

SECC has created a sample letter you can send to the copyright holder when asking for permission to use their copyrighted material . You can download the waiver letter and modify it to suit your needs. As permissions can take some time to obtain, please plan accordingly as all waivers must be submitted by the entry deadline.

Stock Footage

The SEVAs highly encourage students to shoot their own footage. Up to 50% of your entry may include stock footage. If more than half your entry contains stock footage, you will lose points in the “Shot Quality” portion of the judging rubric.

Please note: historical footage or footage from government archives will not count as stock footage.

AI Generated Content

The use of content generated by artificial intelligence such as music, images, or video will be treated the same as stock footage. All content must be copyright cleared for TV and licenses must be submitted with entry materials. We encourage students to explore emerging technologies, including AI tools in their video production process, however videos that are entirely created by AI—with no meaningful student involvement in writing, editing, or creative decision-making—will be disqualified. Any use of AI must be disclosed on the SEVA entry form.

Video Game Footage

Licensing terms may vary from game to game. While one video game may allow for sharing of user-generated screen captures, another might not. Please include with your entry materials, the written proof of the copyright policy such as an excerpt from the licensing terms.

Music

Although many music providers claim to be Royalty-Free, the fine print may require a paid license for playback on cable TV. For this reason, sources such as BenSound, Freeplay Music, Epidemic Sound, AudioJungle, Purple Planet and others should NOT be used in your video. Please read through all the terms and conditions of any music you use in your video. NCS, No Copyright Sounds and Youtube Music Library tracks are not allowed in the SEVAs.

Approved Free Music Sources:

Student-Created Music (GarageBand or similar)
WeVideo
Incompetech Creative Commons (must credit this source)
Sounds Crate
Pixabay
Not sure? Ask us prior to submitting to the contest.

Please be aware that in addition to its cable channels, SECC utilizes YouTube for sharing videos online. Any audio/visual content that receives a YouTube Content ID claim is subject to SECC action, including audio muting, video editing, censoring/visual blurring and/or removal from SECC YouTube channel. For more information about YouTube Content ID, visit YouTube Help.

Cite Your Sources & Secure Permission for Images & Videos

Many SEVA entries include facts and information about a particular topic. Whenever you quote, paraphrase, summarize, or otherwise refer to the work of another, you are required to cite its source. During your video or in the credits, be sure to cite where your information came from, just as you would do a bibliography for a paper. If you use images or videos that you did not shoot yourself, you need to get written permission from the copyright holder to include those in your SEVA video.

All copyrighted materials – including video, photos, graphics and music – must have proof of permission included with your entry materials.

Questions