For Participants

What is a video essay?

A video essay is a short film (between 3–10 minutes) where you share your ideas, feelings, or story using video, voice, images, music, and text.

 1. Choose a topic

Think about what matters to you:

• How do you feel about the planet?

• What worries you — pollution, climate change, loss of nature?

• What do you hope for the Earth’s future?

 It can be a personal story, a dream, a message, a question, or a call for change.

 2. Write your message

Write what you want to say. It could be:

• A personal story in your voice

• A question to others

• A poem, letter, or reflection

You can record your voice or use text on screen (captions).

 3. Film or collect your video

You can:

• Film nature, actions, people, or places with your phone

• Use family videos or school footage

• Add drawings, slides, or animation

• Combine video and still images

 4. Add music and visuals (optional)

 Free music resources:

• YouTube Audio Library

• Free Music Archive

• Bensound

 Free images and footage:

• Pexels

• Pixabay

• Unsplash

 Make sure the content is marked: Free for commercial use / No attribution required

 5. Edit your video

Use free, beginner-friendly tools:

• CapCut (mobile app)

• iMovie (for Mac)

• Clipchamp (free online editor, from Microsoft)

• Canva Video Editor (easy online editor)

 6. Save and submit your work

 Save your video in .mp4 or .mov format, at least 720p resolution.

Go to www.planetframe.net
Find the section “Submit Your Film” and upload your file
OR share a link (Google Drive / YouTube – make sure access is open!).

Fill out the form:
Name and surname
School / City
Age
Title of your video
2–3 sentence description

 Final tips:

• You don’t need to be a filmmaker — just be honest

• Your voice and perspective matter

• All participants will receive an official digital certificate

• Best videos will be screened at our educational event and published on YouTube and the Planet Frame website