RULES & FAQ

Nourishing Narratives: Official Rules and Regulations

Theme and Focus

How can we create a fair and just food system for everyone? This exciting short film competition invites students to use their creativity and mobile devices to share powerful stories about food justice. Films can explore innovative solutions, showcase the impact of organizations and individuals working to create a just, equitable, and fair food system for all. Nourishing Narratives invites youth to join in celebrating the joy and the power of food through film.

Storytelling, creativity and originality are the key elements to making an impactful winning film. We’ll also be looking at the use of the two required elements, how the film connects to the theme of food justice and technical execution.

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

Eligibility

• Open to US residents ages 13 - 18 (as of March 6, 2026)

• Individual or team submissions accepted

• Parent/guardian permission required for all participants under age 18

• No prior filmmaking experience necessary

• Films must be shot, edited and uploaded on a mobile device

Important Dates

• Submissions Open: March 6, 2026

• Submission Deadline: April 12, 2026

• Winners Announced: June 26, 2026

Film Requirements

1.  Content Guidelines

• Maximum length: 3 minutes (excluding credits)

• Credits must not exceed 30 seconds

• All entries must be on the theme of Food Justice

• Must include elements

• Theme: Creating Better Food Futures

• Prop: A plate/bowl

• Saying: Change starts with us (spoken, written, or displayed)

• Must be family-friendly and appropriate for all audiences

• English language or with English subtitles

2.  Technical Specifications

• Must be filmed and edited entirely on a mobile device (smartphone or tablet)

• Resolution: 1080p HD (1920x1080)

• Aspect ratio: 16:9

• File formats accepted: .MP4 or .MOV

3.  Audio Requirements

• Clear, balanced audio levels

• Audio must be present in both channels (left and right)

• Original, properly licensed, or public domain music only

• Maximum file size: 2GB

• File naming convention: FirstNameLastName_FilmTitle.mp4

• Uploaded through the FilmFreeway platform. (Do not submit using a YouTube or TikTok link. Any submissions with a YouTube or Vimeo link will not be considered for selection or screening.)

4. Credit Requirements:

i.  Credits must include:

1.  Production crew (everyone involved with making the project, see examples below)

2.  The mobile device project was filmed on

3.  Editing software used

4.  Music & sound effects (free or permission)

5.  Any music and sound effects used in your film must have copyright permission or be royalty-free

6.  Stock and archival footage (if applicable)

7.  If Art piece title (if applicable) & artist name

Additional Credit Information:

i.  Credits for films entered should include any or all that apply: Director/Creator name, Writer, Producer, Editor, Production credits, Music credits, Actors

5.  Submission Process

• All films must be uploaded through FilmFreeway platform

• Films must be downloadable (enable "Download Permissions" in privacy settings)

• If your film has subtitles please make sure they are "Title Safe". For a detailed explanation of "Title Safe" please click here.

• Completed entry form

• Parent/guardian consent form  

• Adult assistance declaration [Required if adult support was provided due to disability]

• Film credits and acknowledgments

• Brief synopsis (200 words maximum)

• Names of filmmaker or creative team for group entry

Incomplete submissions may be disqualified or rejected.

Rights and Permissions

1.  Content Rights

• All music, images, and footage must be original or properly licensed

• Avoid recognizable brands, logos, or products prominently or in a way that suggests sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement.

• Written permission required for all individuals and recognizable locations appearing in the film [templates available on Nourishing Narratives website]

• Participants retain copyright while granting exhibition rights

2.  Usage Rights

• The Mosaic Film Experience and Newman's Own Foundation, including their parent and/or guardian entities, subsidiaries, and affiliates, maintain the right

• Screen films at events and competitions

• Use films for promotional purposes

• Share films through social media and websites

• Include films in educational materials

Judging Criteria

• Storytelling and Creative Vision (20%)

• Connection to Food Justice Theme (20%)

• Usage/Incorporation of Elements (20%)

• Technical Execution (20%)

• Impact and Message (20%)

Awards and Recognition

As many as ten (10) films will receive up to $1,000 each for telling compelling stories that are judged by a national panel representing the arts and food justice sectors.

Winner Notification

• Winning films will be notified via the email address(es) provided in their entry form

• Winning films must respond within ten (10) business days of notification

• If a winner does not respond within the specified timeframe, an alternate winner may be selected

• Parent/guardian signatures required for winners under 18 years of age, along with a signed W-9

Additional Guidelines

• No copyrighted materials without proper licensing

• No inappropriate content, hate speech, or explicit material

• No professional production equipment beyond basic mobile accessories

• All decisions by judges are final

For questions or technical support, contact info@nourishing-narratives.com

DEFINITIONS:

• Entry: The film submitted to the Nourishing Narratives: Cultivating Youth Stories for Change competition

• Competition: “Nourishing Narratives: Cultivating Youth Stories for Change”

• Sponsors: The Mosaic Film Experience and Newman’s Own Foundation  

• Entrant: An individual who submits an Entry to the Competition

RULES FOR ENTRY: Entries may not contain, as determined by the Sponsors, in their sole discretion, any content that:

An Entry must be the original work of the Entrant, and must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity. If an Entry contains any material or elements that are not owned by the Entrant, and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, the Entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submitting such Entry, any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the use and exhibition of the Entry by the Sponsors in the manner set forth in these Terms, including, without limitation, name and likeness permissions from any person who appears in or is identifiable in the Entry, and from the parent or guardian of any minor who appears or is identifiable in the Entry, music licenses and location releases. The Sponsors reserve the right to request proof of these permissions in a form acceptable to the Sponsors from any entrant at any time. Failure to provide such proof may, if requested, render Entry null and void. By submitting an Entry, the Entrant warrants and represents that he/she and any persons appearing or who are identifiable in the Entry consent to the submission and use of the Entry in the Competition and to its use as otherwise set forth herein. Any Entry not in English must contain English subtitles.

By submitting an Entry, the Entrant acknowledges and agrees that the Sponsors may obtain many Entries in connection with this Competition, and that such Entries may be similar or identical in theme, idea, format or other respects to other Entries submitted in connection with this Competition. The Entrant waives any and all claims that any Entries and/or other works accepted, reviewed and/or used by the Competition may be similar to the Entrant’s Entry, or that any compensation is due to the Entrant in connection with such other Entry or other works used by the Competition.

PRIZES: Prizes are non-transferable. The odds of winning depend on the number of entries and the quality of each specific Entry.

TERMS FOR WINNERS: Winners may not request substitutions of prize winnings. All winners are solely responsible for any and all taxes and/or fees as well as all additional costs that may be incurred. If the specified prize becomes unavailable for any reason, the Sponsors in their sole and absolute discretion, may substitute a prize of like or equal value. The Sponsors reserve the right to condition the award of prizes upon the execution by the winner(s) of a publicity release. Notwithstanding this reserved right, entry is conclusively deemed to be permission by the Entrant for the Sponsors to use the Entrant’s name (without compensation to the Entrant) if the Entrant is a winner, to publicize the Competition and otherwise, as determined by the Sponsors, unless prohibited by law. In the event the winner is a minor, the Sponsors reserve the right to require the minor winner’s parent and/or legal guardian to execute an affidavit of eligibility as a sworn document, provide other proof of eligibility and guarantee the minor winner’s obligations, representations and warranties hereunder as a condition of receipt of the prize or award. In the event a winner fails or refuses to execute or provide any required documentation, the Sponsors reserve the right to award the prize or award to a substitute winner in the Sponsors’ sole discretion. The Sponsors may require the winner to be present for/participate in press and promotional activities. In addition, the Sponsors may request actors and other participants in the Film to be present for/participate in press and promotional activities and the Entrant shall not direct any such individuals to refuse to participate.

I own or have authorization to all necessary copyrights and licenses; (If requested) will be able to provide model/actor release verification if requested; will be able to provide music, product and other copyright licensing verification if requested. As the Submitter/Producer, I agree to take on all copyright liability in regard to submitted film. 

GENERAL CONDITIONS: By submitting an Entry, each Entrant agrees: (a) to abide by these Terms, and the decisions of the Competition, which shall be final and binding in all respects relating to this Competition; (b) to release, discharge and hold harmless the Competition, the Competition’s licenses, assigns, and Sponsors, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies, and the respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and representatives of the forgoing (collectively, “Released Parties”) from any and all injuries, liability, losses and damages of any kind to persons, including death, or property resulting, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the Entrant’s participation in the Competition or any Competition-related activity and from any and all claims, debts, demands, actions or causes of actions, suits, sums of money, damages, and liabilities of whatsoever kind or nature, which have arisen or may arise as a result of the Released Parties exercise of the rights granted to them as set forth herein; (c) to the use of his/her name, voice, performance, photograph/Film, image and/or likeness for programming, advertising, publicity and promotional purposes in any and all media, now or hereafter known, worldwide, including without limitation, on the Internet, and in perpetuity by the Competition and its Sponsors and designees, without compensation (unless prohibited by law) or additional consents from the Entrant or any third party and without prior notice, approval or inspection, and to execute specific consent to such use if asked to do so; and (d) to hold the Released Parties harmless and to indemnify the Released Parties from and against all costs, expenses and liabilities incurred by the Released Parties in connection with the defense of any claim or claims on account thereof, including reasonable attorney’s fees. By participating, the Entrant also agrees not to release any publicity or other materials on his/her own or through someone else regarding his/her participation in the Competition without the prior consent of the Sponsors, which it may withhold in its sole discretion.

OWNERSHIP/USE OF SUBMISSIONS: By submitting an Entry, you hereby grant to the Competition and Sponsors, including their parent entities, affiliates, and subsidiaries, a worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid up, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive and fully sub-licensable right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, combine with other works, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, edit and display such Entry (in whole or part) including, without limitation, the names and likenesses of any persons or locations embodied therein, and/or to incorporate it in other works in any form, media, or technology now known or later developed. These rights include, without limitation, the right to exhibit the Entry at the Competition Screening, the Newman’s Own Foundation and its affiliates, the Mosaic Event, the Nourishing Narratives YouTube Channel, and to use the Entry in any and all media including but not limited to the Competition’s and the Competition’s Sponsors and licensee’s social media properties and/or offline media, in perpetuity without compensation, permission or notification to the Entrant or any third party. By submitting an Entry, The Entrant acknowledges that the Competition has no obligation to use or post any Entry submitted. Subject to these Terms, the Entrant retains copyright ownership of the Entry.

MISCELLANEOUS: Released Parties are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, damaged, inaccurate, stolen, delayed, misdirected, undelivered, or garbled Entries; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Competition, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Competition, processing of Entries, the incorrect uploading of an Entry, or in any Competition-related materials. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Competition. Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to any person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in this Competition or downloading materials from or use of the website. Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Competition or website, who act in an inappropriate or disruptive manner or who are in violation of these Terms, as solely determined by the Competition, will be disqualified and all associated Entries will be void. Should any portion of the Competition be, in the Competition’s sole opinion, compromised by virus, worms, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes which, in the sole opinion of the Competition, corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or submission of Entries, the Competition reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Competition. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE COMPETITION MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS.

Sponsors reserve the right to disqualify any Entry that does not comply with these Rules or that the Sponsors determine, in their sole discretion, to be inappropriate or inconsistent with the spirit of the Competition.