2025 Eyes of History®: Video Contest Information and Rules

Eligibility

• All entries must have been created and aired from January 1, 2024 through January 21, 2025.
• All entries must have been created by Active or Life Members in good standing. If you are not currently an active member, you may join and submit your membership dues for both 2024 and 2025. Then, you may enter work completed by January 21, 2025.
• At least 80% of each individual entry must be the work of the entrant.
• Teams of two or more members may enter stories together. Each member must have contributed at least 30% to the entry. This will, by definition, limit team entries to a maximum of three entrants, no matter how many people contributed to the entry. Team entries may be entered only once for the entire team. Entrants must specify in the designated “Team field” which person did which parts of the project and roughly what percentage of the work they did. Please select “Team” when prompted in the submission and include the names of those who worked on the entry.
• The Video Contest Committee reserves the right to disqualify any entry. The committee may confirm eligibility of any submission with an entrant’s senior producer, assignment editor, bureau chief or similar supervisor.
• Any piece that is entered in the Digital Storytelling Contest may not also be entered in this contest, and vice versa. All entries in this contest must have been originally broadcast or published by an organization engaged primarily in the gathering or reporting of news. Entries originally published/posted on personal social media accounts (i.e, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) do not qualify. Vertical video is not eligible. If your story is later re-edited or “re-versioned” for another medium, such as a website or social media, you must enter the original version in this contest. The reversion project can be entered in to the Digital Storytelling Contest.

Entry Rules and Procedures

• Please read carefully! ALL ENTRIES ARE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY.
• There is a three (3) entry limit per category per entrant. A team entry counts as one entry for each member on the entry.
• Story title should be brief, between two and four words maximum. This is the title that will be used for publishing award winners.
• Entries must be submitted as .MOV or .MP4 files. Dimensions may be 1280 X 720 but 1920 X 1080 is preferred. Files must be encoded using H264.
• Naming convention for each file should be category type & number_name of entry_entrant initials. For example, if Charlie MacDonald entered a piece named “Security” in the General News Editing category, the name of the exported file would be: E02_Security_CM.
• Three images that represent your story must be uploaded with each entry. These images must be in the JPEG format. Still images must match the dimensions of your video files. No non-standard sizes will be accepted.
• The Naming Convention for the three JPEGs should be the same as the video files except with a _1, _2 or _3 at the end of the name: E02_Security_CM_1.
• Team entries must contain the word “TEAM” at the end of the slug on both the entry and the three jpegs.
• An entry for photography may be entered in only one photography category, and an entry for editing may only be entered in only one editing category. However, the same story may be entered in both a Video Photography category and a Video Editing category. The only exceptions to this rule are the lighting and audio categories. In the Video Photography contest, you may submit an entry in the lighting and audio categories which you have also submitted in one other category. In the Video Editing contest, you may submit an entry in the audio category which you have also submitted in another category.
• Each entry, even if it’s submitted in more than one category, must be submitted separately and named appropriately for that category. For example: If you’re entering the same entry in P01 and E01, the entries must be submitted to each category and paid for separately or each category.
• Entrants must not be identified in a piece in any way (by chyron, in narration, or on-screen credit).
• Any elements not shot or created by entrant should be made clear in the project description. At least 80% of the entry must be the work of the entrant. Editors should identify all graphics or full-screen animations not created by the entrant.
• Please be careful when naming the organization for whom the work was done, as this cannot be changed after the winners are posted.
• Your contest submission can be edited on Picter until the deadline.
• Winners will be posted on the WHNPA website when the contest is completed. Reminder, the top winners are expected to produce a video about their winning work to be shown at the 2025 Eyes of History® gala.

Photography Categories

• P01 BREAKING NEWS – Coverage of breaking news – day of. Must be shot, edited and aired/posted within 10 hours. Follow-up stories do not belong in this category. May include live element.
• P02 GENERAL NEWS – A news story shot, edited, and aired the same day.
• P03 DAY FEATURE – A feature story shot, edited, and aired the same day.
• P04 NEWS FEATURE – Story shot, edited, and aired within 48 hours.
• P05 FEATURE – Feature story shot and edited over an extended length of time (10 minute maximum).
• P06 NEWS SPECIAL REPORTS/SERIES – Special report or multiple part series. Your entry must be limited to 15 minutes. For a special report you may show one 15-minute segment of your entry or two or three segments (separated by a dip to black) for a total of 15 minutes. For a series show at least two segments not to exceed 15 minutes. No other editing is allowed.
• P07 MAGAZINE OR DOCUMENTARY FEATURE – Extended long form or magazine piece. Your entry must be limited to 15 minutes. You may show one 15-minute segment of your project or multiple segments for a total of 15 minutes. No other editing is allowed. If other photographers worked on your project but did not enter, please be very clear which video you did shoot and which you did not shoot in your entry, so it is easier to identify your work. Again, a single entrant must have shot at least 80% of the entry.
• P08 SPORTS – Coverage, analysis, or preparation of or for a sports event or activity. Entry not to exceed 10 minutes.
• P09 POLITICAL/CAMPAIGN – Story about political newsmakers.
• P10 WHITE HOUSE/PRESIDENTIAL – Story or composite of the incoming or outgoing U.S. President or White House administration. Total entry not to exceed 5 minutes.
• P11 LIGHTING – Field Lighting for a single story or composite of excerpts from one or more stories. Total entry not to exceed 2 minutes.
• P12 AUDIO – Field audio for a single story. No composites. Total entry not to exceed 5 minutes.
• P13 INTERNATIONAL – A segment or package shot at least 80% outside of the U.S., not to exceed 10 minutes.
• P14 CONFLICT/DISASTER COVERAGE – This category recognizes work created in dangerous situations where the photographer has put his or her personal safety at risk. Entry not to exceed 10 minutes.
• P15 RAW FOOTAGE/WIRE SERVICE – Video of a news event not entered in another category. May be an edited series of clips or one clip. Entry not to exceed 3 minutes. This category is intended for those who covered an event which was not used as a story by their organization, or wire service videographers with no access to a finished package with video shot by the entrant. All video in each entry must be from a single story. Entry must contain only raw, uncorrected video. No sections of completed stories allowed. Straight cuts editing only, audio must follow video. Entry may not use narration, music or effects.
• P16 Solo Video Photojournalist BREAKING NEWS – A narrated story that covers a planned or unplanned news event, shot and edited by the same person and aired or posted within 24 hours.
• P17 Solo Video Photojournalist NEWS AND FEATURE – A narrated or unnarrated news or feature story shot and edited by the same person over an extended period of time.
• P18 INAUGURAL – Coverage of the Presidential Inauguration or any Inaugural events. Your entry must be limited to 15 minutes. If the original story is longer, you may enter one 15 minute segment.

Editing Categories

• E01 BREAKING NEWS – A narrated story covering breaking news events-day of. Must be shot, edited and aired/posted within 10 hours. Follow-up stories do not belong in this category.
• E02 GENERAL NEWS – A narrated news story shot, edited, and aired the same day.
• E03 DAY FEATURE – A narrated segment or package edited and aired the same day.
• E04 NEWS FEATURE – A narrated segment or package edited and aired within 48 hours.
• E05 EDITING SHORT FORM – Segment or package edited over an extended period (five minute maximum).
• E06 EDITING LONG FORM – Segment, package or series edited over an extended period. Must be at least five minutes long when originally aired. Your entry must be limited to 15 minutes. For a package/story you may show one 15-minute segment of your entry or two or three segments (separated by a dip to black) for a total of 15 minutes. For a series, show at least two segments not to exceed 15 minutes. No other editing is allowed.
• E07 MAGAZINE FEATURE – Story of extended length edited for a magazine program.
• E08 DOCUMENTARY – Extended long form, non-magazine piece of at least 20 minutes when originally aired. Your entry must be limited to 15 minutes. You may show one 15-minute segment of your documentary or two or three segments (separated by a dip to black) for a total of 15 minutes. No other editing is allowed.
• E09 SPORTS – Coverage, analysis, preparation of or for a sports event or activity.
• E10 POLITICAL/CAMPAIGN – Story about political newsmakers.
• E11 WHITE HOUSE/PRESIDENTIAL – Story or composite of the incoming or outgoing U.S. President or White House administration. Total entry not to exceed 5 minutes.
• E12 VIDEO ESSAY EDITING – A news or feature story told using only video, visual effects, natural sound, sound bites, sound effects, and/or music. There is no narration allowed in this entry. Entry not to exceed 10 minutes.
• E13 AUDIO – Creative use of audio in a segment or package. Limited to 5 minutes, regardless of program length. You may show one 5-minute segment of your production or two or three segments (separated by dip to black) for a total entry not to exceed 5 minutes. No other editing is allowed.
• E14 PROMOTIONAL – Material edited for use in promotion.
• E15 INAUGURAL – Coverage of the Presidential Inauguration or any Inaugural events. Your entry must be limited to 15 minutes. If the original story is longer, you may enter one 15 minute segment.

• An individual can win only one place in each category. This includes Team entries! If you are on a Team entry in one category, you may enter only two more individual or Team pieces in that category.
• The Committee will review entries for correct placement in the categories and any entry may be re-classified at the discretion of the Contest Committee and/or the Contest Judges.
• If there are fewer than five entries in a given category, the committee and/or judges may, at their discretion, retain or drop the category and place the entries in other appropriate categories.
• Please read the contest rules and entry requirements carefully and pay attention when submitting entries. The contest committee will not assume responsibility for following up with entrants on missing video files, still images or incomplete entry forms. Incomplete or incorrect submissions may result in disqualification of an entry without further notice from the contest committee.

Submitting payment via Picter serves as a digital signature to the contest, I agree to the following terms and conditions:

• I am the sole owner of copyright in the Content submitted, (hereinafter the “Content”) and I have, or if I am not the sole owner of copyright in the Content that I shall obtain (prior to any WHNPA award and upon notification of a pending award by WHNPA) the authority and legal capacity to enter into this agreement and to grant the rights herein stated in and to the Content.
• The Content originates with me and is not copied from another person or work.
• The Content when used by WHNPA in accordance with this agreement will not violate the rights, (including but not limited rights of copyright, moral right, publicity, privacy, trademark, or any other rights) of any person or party.
• I am an active or life WHNPA member in good standing, or I have submitted an application for active membership and have never been a WHNPA member in the past.
• The Content was created or initially published within the rules of the contests and that I was a WHNPA member at the time the Content was created or initially published.
• The Content was not previously entered in this contest.
• I shall retain copyright in the Content, or my employer shall retain copyright in the Content if it is work made for hire.
• I hereby grant to WHNPA and those acting under WHNPA’s permission only the non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty free, fully paid up, irrevocable, sub-licensable, assignable, permission, in all existing and future media (including, without limitation, WHNPA authorized Internet and or social media), to use the Content for and in connection with the WHNPA Awards or other WHNPA Book, WHNPA Exhibitions, WHNPA Educational and Editorial Activities, WHNPA Advertising and WHNPA Promotions, WHNPA Sponsored or Authored Publications and Activities, and for all purposes that are ancillary to, related to, or that directly arise out of the foregoing.
• As a condition precedent to my being offered, and to my receipt of, any WHNPA award I warrant and represent that I shall disclose to WHNPA any rights granted by me herein which may be owned by my employer or another party and that I will provide to WHNPA, in writing, and within seven (7) days of WHNPA’s request, TIME BEING OF THE ESSENCE, and at my own expense, such further assurances and documentation as may be legally required, and any that may be requested of WHNPA, to give full force and effect to the permissions granted by me herein, including without limitation any affirmation, confirmation, and verification of such grant as WHNPA may require or request of my employer or any other rights owner.
• In default of my identification of the rights owner and or my provision of such affirmation, confirmation, and verification in a form acceptable to WHNPA, such acceptability to be determined solely by WHNPA in its sole and absolute discretion, WHNPA may without waiver of any other or additional remedy, decline to make an award, cancel an award, or retract an award without any obligation to or liability to the proposed award recipient.
• I agree to indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless WHNPA and its officers, directors, members, employees, and agents) for and from any and all actions, claims, demands, and proceedings and for any and all costs (including legal fees, investigatory fees, and court costs) that arise out of or in connection with any actual breach by me, default by me, or non-frivolous claim that there is a breach or default by me, of the warranties and representations and agreements I have made herein.

New Entry Process

This year, all entries will be submitted via Picter. There will not be an entry form on the WHNPA website.

Contact Information

Video – Doug Wilkes
[email protected]

Video Editing – Stuart Cohen
[email protected]

Digital Storytelling – Pierre Kattar
[email protected]

Jessica Koscielniak
President, WHNPA
[email protected]