📣 Calling MK 13 - 19 year-olds!
A Video Competition Giving A Voice to Young Changemakers in Milton Keynes
GET CREATIVE
Are you a 13 - 19 year old who is passionate about the planet? Got something to say about renewable energy? Want your voice to help launch a real solar energy campaign in Milton Keynes?
🎬 Make a video...
This summer, Milton Keynes Community Energy (MKCE) is inviting YOU to Speak Up for Community Solar — a creative video competition where your ideas, your voice, and your story could help power the future of Milton Keynes.
Make a difference.
Use your creativity to produce a short video (up to 2 minutes) showing why solar energy — especially community-owned — matters to you, your school, and your future.
Over £300 in prizes to be won!
Win a prize & get published
Create a short video
Your brief
Your video should answer this question:
🌞 Why is renewable energy, and especially community-owned solar, important to you?
Surprise us. Make us laugh. Move us. Tell a story that only YOU can tell.
Don't forget to follow & tag us on Instagram
Submit your video on Instagram
Entering the competition is simple:
- Check the competition Terms & Conditions
- Create your short video telling us why renewable energy, and especially community-owned solar, is important to you.
- Post your video to Instagram by 30 September 2025 – Remember to make sure your profile is public so we can see it.
- Use the hashtag: #SpeakUpForCommunitySolar in your caption.
- Follow and tag @mkcommunityenergy in your Instagram post to enter it in the competition.
Your video could become the new face of MK Community Energy
This is your chance to win over £300 worth of amazing prizes!
Your video will be part of a movement creating a greener MK
Ready to get started? Grab your camera, get creative, and help power up MK with your voice!
How to enter
Open to young people aged 13 to 19 who live or go to school in Milton Keynes (MK postcode).
- Filmmakers and anyone featuring in the video who is under 18 must have a parent or guardian’s consent.
- Submit a short film (max 2 minutes) about why renewable energy, and especially community-owned energy, is important to you.
Post your video on Instagram, using the hashtag #SpeakUpforMKCommunitySolar and tagging @MKCommunityEnergy
- By submitting your video, you confirm that:
✔ You meet the competition eligibility criteria
✔ You agree to the competition Terms & Conditions - The competition closes at 11:59pm on 30 September 2025.
Judging and eligibility
You must be aged 13–19 at the time of submission. (This will be verified.)
You must live or go to school in MK. (This will be verified).
Entries must be your own original work – films currently being graded for qualifications (e.g., A-Level NEA) are not allowed.
Music/images/video from third parties must have copyright clearance – use free resources where possible (see MKCE’s Top Tips for Young Filmmakers).
No surnames of under-18s should appear in your film, including in titles and credits.
Filmmakers under 18 must have parent/guardian consent.
- People featuring in videos must have given their consent.
Only entries posted on Instagram with the correct @mkcommunityenergy tag and #MKCommunitySolar hashtag will be accepted.
- After the 30 September deadline, our judging panel will create a shortlist of potential winners.
Winners
- Shortlisted entrants will be notified by Instagram direct message by 14 October 2025.
- Winners will be shortlisted and asked to confirm in writing that they meet the eligibility criteria.
The Grand Prize Winner and the People’s Choice Winner will be announced on 24 October 2025.
Both winners will be invited to a special work experience filming day with professional filmmaker Keegan Starkey, where their awards will be presented.
Our Grand Prize Winner (Judges’ Choice):
Wins a DJI Osmo handheld pro camera
Receives a certificate of achievement
Is invited to 1-day filming work experience with a local pro filmmaker
Has their film showcased in MKCE marketing
People’s Choice Winner (Most Instagram Likes):
Wins a £50 gift voucher
Receives a certificate of achievement
Is invited to 1-day filming work experience with a local pro filmmaker
Has their film showcased in MKCE marketing
All awards activities will be supported by a DBS-checked adult.
Competition timeline
Entries open
Submit your short film to us via Instagram or email. Read more about the brief and submission requirements on this page.
Entries close
Entries will close at midnight on Tuesday 30 September 2025, where our judges will begin the judging period.
Winners shortlisted
A shortlist of potential winners will be notified by direct message on Instagram to confirm in writing that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Winners chosen
Our Grand Prize winner and People’s Choice winner will be announced.
Both winners will be invited to a special work experience filming day with professional filmmaker, Keegan Starkey, where their awards will be presented to them.
What the judges are looking for
A small panel of judges will shortlist entries. Finalists will be judged and scored by MKCE and external creatives using the following criteria:
Mass appeal & shareability
Does it grab attention and hold it? Is it suitable for MKCE campaigns?
Creativity & originality
Is it inventive, surprising, or engaging in a unique way?
Emotional & narrative impact
Does it evoke emotion or build a strong story/message?
Clear & Meets the brief
Is the message clear and relevant to community energy in MK?
Technical quality
Is it watchable and well-produced within reason?
Authenticity & youth voice
Does it feel real, youth-led, and personal?
Free guidance
Need some inspiration?
Download our Top Tips for Young Filmmakers for some advice on how to achieve that competition-winning film.
