⏰ Submission Deadline: April 2026 | Winners Announced: May 2026

Rules & Guidelines




Competition Rules

Please review these guidelines carefully before submitting your video

Eligibility & Submission

  • Open to middle and high school students in Santa Clara County
  • Individual or group entries welcome (max 4 per group)
  • Videos must be 1–3 minutes long
  • Submit in .mp4 format only
  • One video submission per person/group
  • Parental consent form required for participants under 18
  • No AI-generated content - showcase your creativity!

Content Guidelines

  • Must be original content created for this competition
  • Feature one of our four themes
  • No swearing, violence, or inappropriate content
  • Use open-source footage with proper credit if needed
  • Include accurate information about your chosen theme
  • Showcase personal perspective and creativity
  • Technical quality matters but creativity is key


Rubric Criteria

Videos will be evaluated based on four key criteria.

20
Originality & Creativity

Does the video present a creative style that enhances the message?

20
Clear Communication

How well does the video explain the chosen OSA Video Contest theme?

40
Understanding and Analysis

Are the ideas presented and easy to follow?

20
Art & Design

Does the video use visual design elements effectively to support the message?

Open Full Rubric

Competition Timeline

Important dates and milestones for the video competition

Mid January – Mid February

Promotion Phase - Contest announcement and registration opens

Mid February – 22nd of April

Submission Period - Video creation and submission window

May 2026

Judging Period - Panel review and evaluation of submissions

June 2026

Winner Announcement - Finalists notified and winners announced

Mid June 2026 Onward

Awards Ceremony - Celebration event and showcase of winning videos