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2016 Writing and Multimedia Contest

AnxietyBC is looking for writers, poets, and multimedia artists who have something to say about anxiety. Entrants must be BC residents between the ages of 17-29. Submissions can either be works of fiction or based on real-life experiences.

We will publish and promote the winners on AnxietyBC’s website and social media channels. Best of all, there is no entry fee!

Submission deadline is March 31, 2016.

Rules & Regulations

TIMELINE:

  • Launch Date: January 11, 2016 @ 9:00 AM PST
  • Closing Date: March 31, 2016 @ 11:59 PM PST
  • Judging: April 2016
  • Winners Announced: Late April 2016
  • Gala Celebration: May 6, 2016 

TOPIC:

The topic of the work must be related broadly to experiences with anxiety, including but not limited to: feeling isolated, uncertainty, facing fears, dealing with stigma, and/or the distinct experience and impact of anxiety during youth and young adulthood.

ENTRANT CRITERIA:

  • Entrants must live in British Columbia.
  • Entrants must be between ages 17–29 (inclusive) as of March 31, 2016.
    • Date of birth must be between April 1, 1986 and March 31, 1999.

SUBMISSION CRITERIA:

  • Submissions must fall into one of 2 categories:
    • 1) Prose
      • Short stories
      • Essays
      • Poetry
    • 2) Multimedia (must include an Artist’s Statement)
      • Videos
      • Photographs
      • Fine Art Projects (e.g., paintings)
      • Infographics
  • Submission limits are:
    • 1,500 words for stories/essays
    • 40 lines for poems
    • 3 minutes for videos
    • 1,200 x 1,200 pixels for photographs
    • 8.5” x 11” size for infographics
    • 250 words for Artists’ Statements
  • Written entries must be submitted in one of the following formats:
    • .DOCX/.DOC
    • .TXT
  • Videos must be submitted in one of the following formats:
    • .MOV
    • .MP4
    • .AVI
    • .WMV
    • .MPEG
    • .FLV
  • Photographs/Fine Art Projects (photos of your work)/Infographics must be submitted in one of the following formats:
    • PNG
    • JPG
  • One submission per entrant allowed.
  • Submissions must be an original work by the entrant.
  • Entries must be written in English.
  • Videos that include speaking must be in English.

HOW TO ENTER:

PRIZES:

  • Category: Prose; Age Range: 17-23
    • $500
  • Category: Prose; Age Range: 24-29
    • $500
  • Category: Mixed Media; Age Range: 17-23
    • $500
  • Category: Mixed Media; Age Range: 24-29
    • $500
  • Top 4 Winners will also receive:
    • Entry posted on anxietybc.com
    • Entry promoted via AnxietyBC social media
    • Opportunity to attend Gala to present their work
  • Fan Favourite (as voted by youth committee)
    • $50
  • 3-5 Honourable Mentions (as determined by judges)
    • $50 each

JUDGES:

  • Gail Johnson, writer for the Georgia Straight
  • Rebecca Wosk, 2013 AnxietyBC Contest 2nd Place Winner and 2014 3rd Place Winner
  • Christine Stewart, Media Artist and Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Design and Dynamic Media at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design
  • Mo Barrett, 2013 AnxietyBC Contest 1st Place Winner

THE FINE PRINT:

  • Submission implies the entrant’s consent to publication.
  • If a submission goes beyond the length/size limit, it is ineligible.
  • If a submission includes any identifying information, the entrant will be asked to resubmit their entry without any identifying information. If they do not resubmit by the deadline, their original submission will be ineligible.
  • Current AnxietyBC employees, Board Members, and Contest judges are ineligible.
  • All entries are judged anonymously. Judges will not be made aware of entrants’ names, ages, or other identifying information during judging.
  • Alterations to work will not be accepted after submission.
  • Due to a large volume of submissions, we are unable to accept telephone or e-mail inquiries regarding entries.
  • Contest organizers reserve the right to change judges without notice and not to award prizes if, in the judges’ opinion, such an action is justified.
  • The judges’ decision is final.