Reel Futures:
Student AI Film Shorts Competition

Entry Terms and Conditions

This competition is organized by Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) with cash prizes sponsored by iHeart Media.

Contest Rules

1. Eligibility:
   1. Open to California Community College students aged 18 and older. Employees of sponsors and FoundationCCC and their families are not eligible to enter.
2. Competition Period March 9 to August 14, 2026.
3. Late submissions will not be considered.
4. How to enter:
   1. Submit your entry once the portal is open.
   2. Limit one (1) entry per person. Each entry may include a team consisting of no more than three (3) individuals.
   3. No entry fee required.
5. Prize details:
   1. The top three (3) entries in each category will each receive the following prizes. (If an entry is submitted by a team, the prize may be divided among the team members at their discretion.)
      1. $900 - 1st Place Winner in 5 Categories
      2. $700 - 2nd Place Winner in 5 Categories
      3. $500 - 3rd Place Winner in 5 Categories
      4. $2,500 - Best in Show Winner selected from the 1st Place Winners
6. Winner selection and notification:
   1. Winners will be selected based on creativity and originality, effective and responsible use of AI (where applicable), clarity and strength of storytelling, production quality, and relevance to the selected category/theme in August, and notified via email and/or phone.
7. General Conditions:
   1. Tax Requirements:
      1. Prizes are taxable income to the recipient.
      2. If the total value of prizes awarded to a winner equals or exceeds $600 in a calendar year, winner must:
         1. Complete and return an IRS Form W-9 prior to receiving prize funds.
      3. Sponsor will issue IRS Form 1099-NEC where required by law.
      4. Failure to provide tax documentation may result in forfeiture or delay of prize.
   2. Publicity Release:
      1. By entering, participants grant Sponsor permission to use their name and submission for promotional purposes without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law.
   3. Sponsor reserves the right to:
      1. Disqualify entries that do not comply with rules.
      2. Cancel, suspend, or modify contest if integrity is compromised.
      3. Verify eligibility of winners.
   4. All decisions of the judges are final.
   5. By entering, participants release Sponsor from any liability arising from participation or prize acceptance.
   6. This contest is governed by the laws of the State of California.