Competition

Welcome to the Servas Story and Video Competition!

Celebrating the Global Servas Community through Storytelling

We are thrilled to announce the Servas Story and Video Competition, an exciting opportunity to share your unique Servas experiences. Whether you're a traveler or a host, we want to hear your stories and see your creativity in action. This competition is open to all Servas members, and we look forward to your participation.

Competition Categories:

1. Best Story: Share your Servas experience through a compelling written story.

2. Best Video: Capture your Servas journey in a short video.

Prizes:

Best Creation Prize:

Free Entry to SICOGA 2025: Winners will receive complimentary entry to the next Servas International Conference and General Assembly in Dijon, France. (Please note: Winners are responsible for their own travel expenses.)
Publication Opportunities: Your work will be featured on the Servas website, social media, and in the Servas International News Bulletin (SINB).
Award Certificate: Presented by the President of Servas.

Competition Details:

Eligibility: Open to all Servas members, except judges.
Entry Fee: Free.
Theme: "My Fantastic Servas Experience".
Categories: Writing and Video. (One entry per person per category. Simultaneous submissions are welcome.)
Submission Period: September 8th to October 25th, 2024. Entries must be received by 24:00 GMT on October 25th.
Because our resources are limited, we must limit the entries to the first 100 writing entries and the first 100 videos.

Submission Requirements:

Writing Competition:

Format: Maximum 500 words in .doc, .docx, or .pdf.
The entries will be read anonymously. Please do not include your name in the document or identify yourself in the writing.
Synopsis: Provide a brief 50-100 word synopsis.
Language: English.
Submission Link: https://forms.gle/iB5RFx2VgVs39bmHA

Video Competition:

Format: Maximum 3 minutes in .mp4, .mov, or .avi.
Synopsis: Provide a brief 50-100 word synopsis.
Language: Submissions in any language are welcome, with English translations for non-English entries.
For sharing your submission, please follow the guidelines provided in the instruction file and submit the YouTube link. Please retain the original video until the winners are announced, as the contest organizers will request the original file for uploading to the website and social media channels.
Submission Link: https://forms.gle/iB5RFx2VgVs39bmHA

Guidelines:

Originality: Submissions must be original and unpublished. Works generated by AI will not be accepted.
(*If the story appears subsequently in other publications, we ask authors to note that the story was originally published by Servas.）
Decency and Respect: Maintain cultural sensitivity and avoid explicit content.
Legal Compliance: Ensure all content adheres to applicable laws.
Permissions: Obtain consent from all individuals featured in your submission.
Rights: Entrants retain ownership but grant Servas the right to use submissions for promotional purposes with proper credit given.
Submissions should not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others.
Should the entries not meet the desired quality standards, we may be unable to guarantee the selection of a winner.

FAQ

Who can participate in the competition?
Both Servas travelers and hosts are eligible. Non-Servas members can register for membership to join the competition!
Join Servas : https://servas.org/how-join-servas
What language can I use for my entry?
For the writing category, only English is accepted. For the video category, submissions in any language are welcome, but non-English entries must include English translations.
What music or effects can I use for my video entry?
Please ensure all materials (e.g., music, sound effects) do not violate copyright laws.
Can I submit multiple entries?
Each person can submit one entry per category: one for writing and one for video.
How will the winners be notified?
Winners will be notified via email and announced on Servas platforms after December 8th.
Is there a limit on the total number of entries?
Yes, we will close submissions after receiving the first 100 writing entries and the first 100 video entries.
Will there be a winner?
It depends, should the entries not meet the desired quality standards, we may be unable to guarantee the selection of a winner.
Do I need permission from individuals featured in my submission?
For the writing category, use your judgment regarding identifying people and places. If this is not appropriate, you can alter names (or use only first name) and specifics about places.
For the video category, please obtain permission from any individuals featured in your video.

Judging and selection:

Jury: Composed of experienced arts and creation specialists, SI EXCO members, and the youth team.
Criteria: Originality, creativity, technical proficiency, emotional impact, and relevance to the theme.
Public Voting: Servas members can vote for their favorite creations.

Key dates:

Submission Deadline: 25 October, 2024.
Result Notification: 8 December, 2024.

For any additional information you are welcome to contact us at @email.

We eagerly await your stories and videos that celebrate the spirit of Servas. Share your journey, inspire others, and contribute to the global Servas community!

Join us and make your story a part of Servas history!