Streets, Art, SAFE Film and Poster Competitions Guidelines and Rules
As participants in this program, your students will produce either:
1) a 30-second Filmed public service announcement (PSA) from start to finish (see point 8 below for more specifics on length). They will be responsible for coming up with a concept, storyboarding it, writing a script, filming their PSA, editing it and presenting it (via on-line submission form) to a panel of esteemed film industry experts for judging.
OR
2) a poster public service announcement and billboard (PSA). They will also be responsible to make in full and submit it to a panel of graphic design industry experts for judging.
Throughout this process, students will have several opportunities to receive feedback and mentoring from these experts.
All poster and filmed PSAs must meet the following criteria:
First and foremost, be creative! Your imagination is the limit on how you portray your chosen topic. Including, but not limited to, for film PSAs: news-style reporting, acting out a specific scenario, scenic without actors, animated, etc. For poster PSAs: hand-drawn posters, creative use of text and fonts, photography, graphic illustrations, etc.
The topic is chosen from SAFE’s provided list or specially approved during registration (there is a section for this). For the film competition, the treatment must then be approved as part of registration.
For the film competition, students are encouraged to work in groups, though they may compete individually if they choose. Each student may only participate on one team (or as an individual) and cannot work on multiple PSAs - unless they have registered for a Special Award Category in addition to their main category PSA. Students may contribute in any way—scriptwriting, editing, acting, photography, font design, or other roles. It takes a team!
The word "accident" is not language to be used in reference to traffic incidents. It makes them sound “inevitable” and, by implication, not preventable when, in fact, they are. Instead, neutral terms such as "collision" or "crash” should be used.
In making your PSA, the laws of your area must be followed, and no lives endangered. This would include using a seatbelt, not speeding, not driving distracted or under the influence, and other such regulations. Use your imagination and artistry to portray traffic violations without breaking them yourself. Keep your creative team and your fellows safe. (Any PSA that violates this will be automatically disqualified.)
Your PSA may not contain language or content that would prohibit it from being aired on national television.
PSAs must be non-discriminatory. They may not portray any particular ethnicity, gender orientation, or religion in a negative light. Be kind and inclusive in your creations.
Film PSAs are to be 30 seconds (or slightly shorter) in length, including a 3-4 second closing graphic with a SAFE logo and acknowledgement to program sponsors.
Poster PSAs are preferred to be submitted in both a vertical and horizontal format - suitable for posters and billboards. If this is not possible, then just submit it in vertical format. The size is to be 12x18. The SAFE logo and program sponsors should be included at the bottom of the poster (provided by SAFE). If a student is hand-drawing their poster, these logos do not need to be included, but will be added by SAFE after submission.
PSAs are to be original content. If they contain borrowed footage, photos, music, lyrics, etc, permission must be attained for their use with that permission sent to Streets, Art, SAFE. By sending in your submission you are attesting that you have the rights to all footage, music, lyrics, etc or have secured permission for their use.
AI-generated elements are allowed, but only when the human artist is the primary creative force behind the assets and elements used in the PSA. AI may be used for brainstorming, generating initial concepts, or as a tool within a broader human-driven creative process. The final piece must reflect the artist’s vision and originality. Submissions that are primarily AI-generated with minimal human input will not be accepted.
The following applies to the final Red Carpet Awards Ceremony, not the regional awards. Students (or a representative) of overall winning entries must attend the Streets, Art, SAFE Red Carpet Awards Ceremony in order to receive their award. Notifications of nominations will be sent out in advance.
Final PSA Submission Use and Distribution
After the PSAs are submitted, judged, and awarded, the fun part begins—getting them distributed and put to use to help make roads safer for all users and all modes of transportation!
Final PSA submissions will be used by Streets Are For Everyone and their partner organizations to educate on road safety and promote the use of all modes of transportation—cycling, walking, public transit, and more.
By submitting your work, you give permission to Streets Are For Everyone; Streets, Art, SAFE; and their partner or collaborating organizations to use it indefinitely. This includes, but is not limited to: presentations; SAFE’s or partners’ social media and video channels; SAFE’s or partners’ websites; other media outlets; local or national television as an educational resource; theater presentations; workshops; and similar uses. The school where the PSA was created will be acknowledged.
