MEDIA SHOWCASE 2025

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Overview

The Student Media Showcase celebrates the creativity and talent of students in media production. Students are invited to submit their best work across multiple categories for the opportunity to have their projects showcased at the event.

Submission Categories

Students may submit work in one of the following categories:

  1. Visual Storytelling – Short films, documentaries, news packages.
  2. Audio Excellence – Podcasts, audio stories, and sound design projects.
  3. Print & Online Journalism – Print or digital news stories, feature writing, sports writing.
  4. Creative Expression – Graphic design, branding materials, photography, posters, and social media campaigns.

Each submission must fit within one of these categories. If a project spans multiple categories, submitters should choose the most appropriate one.

Submission Deadlines

  • Deadline: March 18, 2025
  • Notification of Selection: April 1, 2025

Submission Requirements

All submissions must meet the following requirements:

General Guidelines (Applies to All Categories)

  • Submissions must be original works created by students.
  • Group projects are allowed, but one representative must submit on behalf of the group.
  • Each student may submit up to two entries per category.
  • Submissions should be fully edited and polished—works-in-progress will not be accepted.
  • Submissions must adhere to technical specifications for their respective categories.

Category-Specific Requirements & Technical Specifications

Visual Storytelling (Video)
  • File Format: MP4
  • Resolution: 1920×1080 (HD)
  • Frame Rate: 24 (23.976)fps, 30 (29.97)fps, or 60 (59.94)fps
  • Duration: Maximum of 90 minutes
    • Presentation Format: Submissions longer than 2 minutes will not be played in full during the event. Instead, event organizers will select a short preview clip (up to 2 minutes in length) to represent the work during the showcase.
  • Audio Requirements: Clear, balanced sound; no excessive background noise
  • Subtitles (if applicable): Must be embedded in the video file
  • File Size Limit: 1GB max
Audio Excellence (Podcast & Audio Projects)
  • File Format: MP3
  • Bitrate: 128kbps or higher
  • Duration: Maximum of 90 minutes
    • Presentation Format: Submissions longer than 2 minutes will not be played in full during the event. Instead, event organizers will select a short preview clip (up to 2 minutes in length) to represent the work during the showcase.
  • Audio Quality: Well-balanced levels, clear speech, and no excessive background noise
  • File Size Limit: 500MB max
Print & Online Journalism (News & Feature Writing)
  • Eligibility: The article must have been printed or published online within the past two years by a media outlet, including high school or university news sites or newspapers.
  • Submission Format:
    • Print Articles: Must be digitized and submitted as a PDF of the article as it appeared in print, including the full page layout.
    • Online Articles: Must include a URL linking to the published article on the media outlet’s official website.
  • File Size Limit: 5MB max
Creative Expression (Graphic Design, Photography, Social Media Campaigns)
  • File Format: PNG, JPEG, or PDF
  • Resolution:
    • Print Materials: 300 DPI
    • Digital/Social Media: 72 DPI
  • Print Dimensions (if applicable): Minimum of 11×14 inches
  • Color Mode:
    • Print Designs & Photography: Adobe RGB
    • Digital/Social Media: sRGB
  • File Size Limit: 120MB max per file
  • Presentation Requirement: If selected, print designs and photography must be prepared for poster printing for display at the event.

How to Submit

All submissions must be uploaded via the official submission portal. The submission form will require:

  • Student name(s) and contact information
  • Project title and category selection
  • A brief artist statement (100-200 words) describing the creative process
  • Uploading of the project file(s) or a URL (for online journalism submissions)

After submission, students will receive a confirmation email.

Selection & Notification Process

  • All entries will be reviewed based on technical quality, creativity, and overall impact.
  • A curation panel will select the top works for presentation at the showcase.
  • Students will be notified of their selection by April 1, 2025.

Additional Guidelines

  • Ensure all content is appropriate for public viewing and aligns with ethical and professional standards.
  • Students must have the rights to all media used (e.g., music, images, footage).
  • Late submissions will not be accepted.

Contact Information

For any questions regarding the submission process, please contact:
Dr. Chad S. Owsley, Showcase Director
Email: unosocmediashowcast@unomaha.edu