NEW FILM CATEGORIES

*** New Junior Division Film Category: Advertising/Marketing ***

Students are invited to create a :30 second advertisement for a local business or public service to help encourage the viewer visit the business or utilize the service. Examples include, but are not limited to, your local library, a locally-owned coffee shop, your community recreation department, a neighborhood skatepark, etc.

*** New Senior Division Film Category: Highlight Reel ***

Students are invited to create a 3-minute video to highlight a school program. Examples include, but are not limited to, a club on your campus, a special event at school (rally, dance, etc.), arts programs (band, drama, choir, dance, etc.), a school sports team's season, etc.

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Film categories below are open to both Junior and Senior Division filmmakers. 
New scoring rubrics will be posted in January 2026.
 

WATER CONSERVATION PSA (maximum length :60 seconds)

A public service announcement (PSA) should inform and benefit the intended audience. Filmmakers should use the full spectrum of audio and visual aspects of film to clearly and concisely present the information in a way that encourages the viewer to take action. The 2026 topic for all PSAs is "Water Conservation." Why is conserving water essential to life in the Central Valley and what actions can viewers take to help conserve water in their community?

DOCUMENTARY: EVERYDAY HEROES (maximum length 3:00 minutes)

The theme for the 2026 PTV Documentary category is "Everyday Heroes." Filmmakers should seek to tell the story of a hero in their community. It may be a teacher, a first responder, a healthcare worker, a parent/guardian, or any individual whom you recognize as a hero for the work they do to make the lives of those around them better every day. 

A documentary film is a non-fiction movie that aims to "document reality" by capturing and presenting factual information about real events, people, or issues, serving purposes like education, history, or raising awareness, using techniques to convey a specific perspective or explore truth. Unlike fiction, documentaries are based on reality, often using interviews, archival footage, and real-life situations, though the filmmaker's viewpoint always shapes the final story.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE (maximum length 3:00 minutes)

A personal narrative develops a story (fictional or true), a personal experience, or an event using the tools at the filmmakers disposal to move an audience to laughter, to tears, to cause them to wonder, or spark any emotional response the filmmaker is seeking. Films in the Personal Narrative category can be on any topic (fiction/non-fiction) and should follow the typical story arc – the emotional and structural journey of a narrative, that demonstrates how tension, conflict, and character change from the beginning to end of the story to keep viewers engaged and provide a satisfying conclusion.