Video Contest

ORTM Video Contest

UNBC’s Faculty of Environment through our team in Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management is hosting our first video contest and mini online film fest! We'll be sharing submitted videos on ORTM’s YouTube and Instagram channels. We’re seeking videos celebrating adventure, joy, and hope in diverse outdoor communities, landscapes, and seasons of Northern BC that will help promote the ORTM degrees to future students. Submit your short videos that show off your talents and experiences! We’ll share them, celebrate them, and award prizes!!

Themes

Videos should engage one or more of the following content themes:

  • Conservation in Practice
  • Interspecies Encounters and Nature Connection
  • Environmental and Cultural Interpretation and Practices
  • Outdoor Activities, Travel, and Adventures in Northern BC
  • Creating Community and Reconciliation Outdoors
  • Field Schools and Outdoor Learning Experiences
  • Messages to Past, Current, and Future Students

Use whatever approach suits your story — whether it's a personal vlog, an outdoor adventure, a reflective message, or a creative piece with music and B-roll. Let your imagination lead — there are no limits to how you express your connection to the outdoors.

Categories

I. Reel 

Filmed in portrait/vertical orientation, 1 min 30 sec or less in length. For use in Instagram, TikTok etc.

II. Long-Form

Filmed in 16:9 landscape/horizontal orientation, 3 min or less in length. For use in YouTube etc.

Submissions

Submission is open to students and graduates of degree programs in the Faculty of Environment, as well as future students who’ve applied to degree programs in UNBC’s Faculty of Environment. You can submit as many videos as you like, to whichever categories you like. Videos can be filmed and produced using smart phones and/or more-advanced equipment (including drones, DSLRs, or other equipment).

By submitting, you agree that the UNBC can use your photos, video, and audio on our social media and/or for promotional purposes, as well as for B-roll, in support of our academic programs and student life. We may not be able to share all videos across social media. All the material used in your videos including any music or audio must be original, copyright-free, or used with appropriate permission.[1] To be considered, submissions must be respectful with no inappropriate language or visuals, and they must be submitted using the portal provided (no links or emails). 

When submitting the video file, you will also need to provide a title, individual or team member names, degrees + majors, a contact email address, as well as the theme, category, and simple indication of the equipment used. 

Submit Video Here

Submission will close on: Second Friday in October (Friday Oct. 10, 2025).

Judging & Prizes

Videos that fit the themes and submission criteria will be considered by category, and then overall. Videos will be judged by a panel of 2 faculty members, 2 students, and UNBC’s Senior Video Producer. Videos will be judged overall based on alignment with the themes, creativity, and impact. Assessment is subjective, fun, and relative to what we receive.

We will recognize 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category.

Prizes will be awarded for 1st ($500!), 2nd and 3rd places overall. 

Results will be announced via email and the ORTM social media accounts. 

For inquiries, please contact ortm@unbc.ca

 


[1] Acceptable music or audio sources include: 

  • Royalty-free music libraries (e.g., YouTube Audio Library, Free Music Archive, Incompetech);
  • Licensed music with proper attribution (e.g., Creative Commons music that allows use with credit)
  • Original compositions that you created or have permission to use

Not allowed:

  • Commercial music from Spotify, Apple Music, or any mainstream artist (even short clips)
  • Music you don’t have the rights to use—even if it's just in the background.