Phrases of Our People: Reel Making Online Competition

Theme: “Voices Through Time: Stories, Traditions and Identity”

The Phrases of Our People: Reel Making Online Competition invites participants to create engaging short-form videos that celebrate indigenous cultures, traditions, languages, memories and contemporary identities. Through creative visual storytelling, participants are encouraged to document and showcase the living heritage of indigenous communities while promoting cultural appreciation, respect and awareness.

Objectives
The competition aims to:

• Promote awareness and appreciation of indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions.
• Encourage youth to use digital media as a tool for cultural storytelling.
• Preserve and showcase indigenous knowledge, customs and community narratives.
• Inspire creativity through audiovisual expression.
• Foster ethical and respectful representation of indigenous communities and heritage.

Eligibility

• Open to students participating in Pow-woW Lore 2026: Youth Quill & Canvas.
• Participation may be Individual or Group.
• A group may consist of a maximum of 3 members.
• Each participant/group may submit only one reel entry.
• Students may participate in only one entry, either individually or as part of a group.

Competition Format
Participants must submit:

• One original reel/video.
• A title for the reel.
• A brief description (100–150 words) explaining the concept and message of the video.

NOTE: The reel should present a coherent story, message or cultural narrative related to the theme.

Suggested Themes
Participants may explore:

• Indigenous languages and oral traditions.
• Folktales, myths and legends.
• Traditional songs, music and dance.
• Indigenous festivals and community celebrations.
• Traditional crafts and artistic expressions.
• Cultural practices passed down through generations.
• Indigenous food traditions.
• Stories of elders and community wisdom.
• Environmental stewardship and traditional ecological knowledge.
• Contemporary indigenous youth and identity.
• Cultural resilience and adaptation in modern society.

Participants may also interpret the broader theme creatively.

Technical Specifications
Reel/Video

• Duration: 60–90 seconds.
• Format: MP4 (preferred).
• Aspect Ratio: Vertical (9:16).
• Minimum Resolution: 1080 × 1920 pixels (Full HD).
• Videos may include narration, interviews, music, subtitles, or text overlays.
• Basic editing is permitted.
• AI-generated videos, synthetic voices, or heavily manipulated content are not permitted.
• Copyrighted music or media without permission should not be used.

Description

• 100–150 words.
• English
• Should explain the story, inspiration, or cultural significance of the reel.
• Must complement the visual narrative rather than simply describe the scenes.

Submission Guidelines
Participants should submit:

• Title of the Reel
• Participant's Name
• Name of the Institution
• Contact Details
• Reel/Video File
• Description (100–150 words)

Files should be submitted online before the deadline in the prescribed format.

Ethical Considerations

Participants must:

• Submit only their own original work.
• Obtain consent from all identifiable individuals appearing in the video.
• Respect indigenous customs, sacred spaces and community protocols.
• Avoid stereotypes, cultural appropriation or exploitative portrayals.
• Ensure that recordings do not violate privacy or cultural sensitivities.
• Properly acknowledge any traditional knowledge or community contributions where appropriate.

Any form of plagiarism, misrepresentation, or unauthorized use of content will result in disqualification.

Judging Criteria

• Relevance to Theme - 20 Marks
• Storytelling and Message Impact  - 20 Marks
• Creativity and Originality - 25 Marks
• Technical Quality and Editing - 15 Marks
• Cultural Sensitivity and Authenticity - 10 Marks
• Overall Presentation - 10 Marks

General Rules

• Only original videos created by the participant are eligible.
• Previously awarded entries are not permitted.
• Content should not contain offensive, discriminatory, defamatory or inappropriate material.
• Watermarks, logos or promotional branding are not allowed.
• Minor editing is acceptable; excessive digital manipulation that alters authenticity is prohibited.
• The organising committee reserves the right to disqualify entries that violate the rules.
• Submission of an entry grants the organisers permission to display the work for educational, promotional and non-commercial purposes with due credit to the participant.
• The judges' decision shall be final and binding.

Additional Requirements
Participants must provide the following information along with their competition entry:
Registration Fee: Participants are required to pay the registration fee applicable to their award category as prescribed by the organisers. Proof of payment, if applicable, must be submitted along with the entry.

For Individual Participation:

• Participant's Name
• Institution Name
• Contact Number
• Email ID

For Group Participation:

• Team Name (optional)
• Names of All Team Members
• Institution Name
• Name of Team Leader
• Contact Number of Team Leader
• Email ID of Team Leader

Registration Fees: ₹100 for now (As per the award categories.)

Faculty Incharge:

• T Menangkumla (menangkumla@tetsocollege.edu.in)

For Enquiries:

7005047554/8730081195/6909246089