top of page
Video Contest Rules 2026-2027
 
Historical Feature

 

THE ASSIGNMENT

High school students and adult filmmakers are invited to submit a 2- to 5-minute video that addresses one of the prompts listed below. Videos over 5 minutes in length will not be considered for prizes.

Your historical feature should cover important events, places, or people (individuals or groups) that have historical significance to Joplin. It should create a personal connection for viewers by eliciting their interest or emotional response through its story line, visuals, and production quality. 

Features can incorporate music, natural sound, interviews, and visuals to share verified facts and individual perspectives. Features should have a clear message with a definitive beginning, middle, and end. Voice overs should match the images on the screen. 

PROMPTS

 

People, Places, and Events for the 2026-2027 contest

  • Lena Beal, the first female mayor 

  • Thomas Hart Benton

  • Ham radio operators during the Joplin Tornado 2011

  • Joplin Iris (the official flower of Joplin)

  • Businesses that have served Joplin or surrounding areas over 90 years

  • History of St. John’s Hospital (now Mercy)

  • War Bond Drives

  • Jefferson Highway

  • Electric Park

  • Grand Falls

  • Fred & Red’s

  • Joplin Stockyards

 

If you have an idea for a prompt outside of those listed, you must receive written approval by the Joplin Historical Society by October 1, 2026. Only videos covering topics on the list or having written approval will be eligible for prizes.


 

SUBMISSION

You will submit your entry to the Joplin History and Mineral Museum by sharing through a Google Drive. The destination drive will be released on the Museum website in January 2027. https://Joplin-Museum.org

​

SPECIFICATIONS

Participants may compete as an individual or as a production team.

The entry must be uploaded to the appropriate Google Drive according to these specifications:

  • All work must be produced between August 2026 and March 2027.

  • Feature entries must be no longer than 5 minutes in length. 

  • Video files must be submitted in an MP4 or MOV format. 

  • There are no limits to the number of entries per person, group, or school.

  • Submissions must include first and last names, email address, school name (if applicable), the title of the entry, and a brief synopsis. All team members’ names should be included if the video is submitted by a group.

  • The video should end with closing credits showing the names of all people who worked on the creation of the video and, when applicable, the sources used and permissions received. 

  • Prizes will be given for first, second, and third place winners. All videos received are regarded as entered into the contest to win a prize unless the video or submission does not meet the criteria outlined in this document.

 

Community Awards - Anyone in the community over 18 years old may enter.

  • The first-place winning video receives $275.

  • The second-place winning video receives $175.

  • The third-place winning video receives $75.

 

High School Awards - Students should be in high school or homeschooled.

  • The first-place winning video receives $275.

  • The second-place winning video receives $175.

  • The third-place winning video receives $75.

 

Prizes

  • Prizes will be awarded on April 13, 2027, at the Joplin History and Mineral Museum at 6 p.m.

 

 

 

Some Legal Information

  • The Joplin Historical Society reserves the right to issue additional prizes based on the quality of the videos submitted.

  • By submitting the video, you give the Joplin History and Mineral Museum and the Joplin Historical Society permission to use the video in the Museum, in Museum advertising, and in Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and other social media.

  • Submission of a video in this contest does not preclude the creator from entering the video in other competitions.

  • Archival records and photographs belonging to the Joplin History and Mineral Museum are available for use in research and the video production.

 

DEADLINE

  • The deadline for submission of completed video work is midnight, March 19, 2027.

 

Failure to follow these requirements and deadlines will result in disqualification.

 

 

PREVIEW OPTION

If you would like a member of the Joplin Historical Society to preview a script, footage, idea, etc., you are invited to contact Kelly Reddin, President@Joplin-Museum.org.

We are willing to come to a school or group to talk about the contest or review work that has been done. We will be able to schedule time for review or presentations through February 12, 2027.

 

MUSEUM RESOURCES

Participants are welcome to visit the Museum and use the resources available. No archival material can be removed from the Museum. We recommend scanning images at 600 DPI for use in videos to avoid pixelation.

bottom of page