Student Documentary Film Contest
for downloadable film festival posters please email us at
Student work is at the heart of what we do. We invite students in grades 8-12 to submit their creative works to our Student Documentary Film Contest.
There are several categories and students may apply to as many categories as they like and qualify for. Each category has its own unique requirements and awards. All category winners will be showcased on our website.
All entries become the property of Zachor Shoah. All finalists will receive recognition. Winners will receive prizes as described in each category.
All work must be in English or with English subtitles.
The Shoah & Me Student Documentary Contest about the Survivors, Ghettos, or Camps
Inspired by our friends and Holocaust survivors, this contest asks students to tell the story of the Holocaust from the perspective of an individual survivor, a ghetto, or a camp in Nazi Europe.
Open to students in grades 8-12 in the United States of America. Students may be in public or private schools.
-Students may submit a documentary created by a group of no more than 4 students or an individual. -All work must be original and historically accurate and factual.
-Documentaries must focus on the Holocaust and its relationship to the specific guidelines mentioned above
-Documentaries must be created with digital technology such as imovie
-Documentaries must be between 10 and 15 minutes long.
- Semi-finalists may be asked to create "trailers" for their film.
-Submissions become property of Zachor Shoah to be used in future events.
- Winning Documentary receives $100 award in cash & prizes
-Entrance fee: $10
-Deadline to submit documentary entries: April 2 2022
-email us for entry and fee payment directions. Use subject line: documentary contest
The Concepcion Romeu Student Documentary Contest about the Sephardic Jewish life from the Spanish Inquisition to the present
Inspired by our founder's great grandmother who fought against Franco's fascist regime and helped keep her Jewish roots alive even after centuries of religious persecution. This contest asks students to tell the story of Sephardic Jews in any country at any time throughout their history and the challenges they faced, the fight against antisemitism everywhere, or the fight against fascism not just Nazism.
Open to students in grades 10-12 worldwide. Students may be in public or private schools.
-Students may submit a documentary created by a group of no more than 4 students or an individual. -All work must be original and historically accurate and factual.
-Documentaries must focus on the Holocaust and its relationship to the specific guidelines mentioned above
-Documentaries must be created with digital technology such as imovie
-Documentaries must be between 10 and 15 minutes long.
- Semi-finalists may be asked to create "trailers" for their film.
-Submissions become property of Zachor Shoah to be used in future events.
- Winning Documentary receives $100 award in cash & prizes
-Entrance fee: $10
-Deadline to submit documentary entries: April 2 2022
-email us for entry and fee payment directions. Use subject line: documentary contest
We Dared to Live Student Documentary Contest
about the Partisans, the Righteous or WWII Veterans
Open to 8th grade students in the United States of America. Students may be in public or private schools.
-Students may submit a documentary created by a group of no more than 4 students or an individual. -All work must be original and historically accurate and factual.
-Documentaries must focus on the Holocaust - specifically from the perspective of the Partisans or World War II veterans
-Documentaries must be created with digital technology such as imovie
-Documentaries must be between 8 to12 minutes long.
- Semi-finalists may be asked to create "trailers" for their film.
-Submissions become property of Zachor Shoah & We Dared to Live to be used in future events.
- Winning Documentary receives $100 award and a copy of the book We Dared to Live
-Entrance fee: $10
-Deadline to submit documentary entries: April 2 2022
-email us for entry and fee payment directions. Use subject line: documentary contest
The Judy Simon Student Documentary Contest about Fighting fascism or promoting and protecting United States Democratic values and Constitutional rights.
Inspired by the courage of Judy Simon. Born Lydia Maude Dantzer she was a DAR (Daughter of the American Revolution- as her ancestors came over on the original Mayflower. At 19 years old she enlisted in the US Army to fight Fascism during WWII. She became one of a handful of female army sergeants and was stationed in the South Pacific. She changed her name after the war, but not her attitude. Later in life, she was a founding member of the Florida chapter of NOW and a civically engaged member of society well into old age. This contests invites students to tell the story of American exceptionalism through the fight against totalitarianism & Fascism; the promotion of democracy, and the role women play in the story.
Open to students in grades 8-12 in the United States of America. Students may be in public or private schools.
-Students may submit a documentary created by a group of no more than 4 students or an individual. -All work must be original and historically accurate and factual.
-Documentaries must focus on the Holocaust and its relationship to the specific guidelines mentioned above.
-Documentaries must be created with digital technology such as imovie
-Documentaries must be between 10 and 15 minutes long.
- Semi-finalists may be asked to create "trailers" for their film.
-Submissions become property of Zachor Shoah to be used in future events.
- Winning Documentary receives $100 award in cash & prizes
-Entrance fee: $10
-Deadline to submit documentary entries: April 2 2022
-email us for entry and fee payment directions. Use subject line: documentary contest