What stories are moving the planet forward? Now, more than ever, in a time when responsible journalism and fact-based research is under fire, it is imperative to equip the next generation of communicators for dynamic—and accurate—reporting. Planet Forward is seeking contenders in the Storyfest contest, held in conjunction with the 2017 Planet Forward Summit.
Submit a story on water, food, energy, mobility, biodiversity, or the built environment for the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Amazon rainforest with Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, the “godfather of biodiversity,” and Planet Forward’s Frank Sesno.
Creativity has no boundaries here. Create a rap video. Collect a series of your best photos. Craft an outstanding work of art. Capture the essence of a brilliant innovator in an op-ed piece. Entries must be submitted in one of five different award categories:
- The Innovator Award: The story featuring the most compelling character (or characters) – the innovator.
- The Right Brain Award: Most creativity in the art of environmental storytelling.
- The Left Brain Award: Best use of science or data in environmental storytelling.
- The Visionary Award: Best story about a scalable innovation that can change the world now.
- The 22nd Century Award: The best story about the most ambitious idea that can move the planet forward.
Entries will be judged according to the quality of information and production, creativity in presentation, impact of storytelling, and scalability of the innovation shared. Submissions will be presented and awarded during the 2017 Planet Forward Summit on April 6 and 7 in Washington, D.C., in which the top five winners will be selected to travel to the Amazon rainforest this summer.
Contestants are encouraged to think inside and outside the classroom. Entries may be something created for a class assignment, a school’s radio station, a photo from a recent vacation, an article published in the school’s newspaper, etc.—or, of course, an original piece created just for the contest.
Finalists will be featured on the Planet Forward website and at the 2017 Planet Forward Summit.
Entries must be received by February 24. Click here to read more and review submission guidelines.
