Watershed Protection’s annual Flood Safety Video Contest is open!

In this contest, 6th through 12th grade students in Austin and the surrounding area are invited to create their very own short PSA showing how to “Turn Around - Don't Drown®.” The winning PSAs will receive a $100 gift card, and their video may be aired on local news stations.

A PSA, or Public Service Announcement, is a short announcement created to provide information to the public. PSAs may look and feel different, but they share the same goal: to persuade people to take action and help solve an issue that affects the community. 

Calling all sixth through twelfth graders! Enter the Flood Safety Video Contest by March thirty-first for a chance to win.

Contest Details

Contest Eligibility: This contest is open to all 6 through 12 grade students in Austin and the surrounding area. Students may work individually or as a team.

Contest Period: Submissions are due March 31, 2024. 

Contest Rules

  • Must be submitted as a link. (Please upload video to a hosting website like YouTube, Vimeo or social media platforms.)  
  • Must be no longer than 30 seconds in length.  
  • Must be submitted in horizonal format. (The video may contain vertical clips, but the final product must be landscape.)  
  • May be submitted in any language.  
  • Must not include any offensive materials. Must not include ANY copyrighted music, audio/video clips, characters, logos, or other protected material. Videos may include music only if it is considered “open source” music, or if it is composed and played by a student (or students) in the group.  
  • Must agree the City of Austin owns all submitted videos. Winners and their legal guardians agree to the City of Austin right to property in which the city may edit and distribute the video. 

How to Enter

All video submissions must be provided as a link. Please upload your video to a hosting site like YouTube, Vimeo, WeTransfer, or a social media platform. Once your PSA is ready, click on the form link below to enter:

https://forms.office.com/g/29rUcvSqky

Thank you for your submission!

Resources

  • When creating your script, please include the information found our Flood Safety website.
  • The examples on our YouTube playlist serve as inspiration for students to create their own PSAs, not as a framework to duplicate. Remember to be creative and have fun!
  • The following free applications or websites may be used to help you create your PSA. You may be required to create an account to use some of the services.
  • The following sites contain copyright-free images and videos. The materials are free to use, but attribution requirements may differ depending on the content. Be sure to read the attribution requirements for the materials you download.

Prizes

Winners, whether individuals or teams, will receive a $100 gift card, swag bags, and a chance to be featured on local news. 

2023 Contest Winners

We're thrilled to announce the winners of our 2023 Flood Safety Video Contest! Congratulations to the talented 6-12th grade students who created these videos promoting flood safety awareness. Please note that the following videos may have been edited for accuracy. While we have done our best to ensure that the information presented is correct and up-to-date, we encourage viewers to consult with their local authorities and refer to ATXfloodsafety.com for the most accurate and current information on flood safety and preparedness.

Questions?

Need more info about this contest? Reach out to the Watershed Protection Department by emailing wpdoutreach@austintexas.gov. Visit the ATX Flood Safety website for more information about flood safety. 

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