the plan

How to submit:
To have your video considered for inclusion in the movie, simply post it to TikTok and hashtag it according to the plot segment (see below) it fits in. Example: If your video fits within Segment 03 of the plot/framework, you’ll use the hashtag #youthspringmoviesegment03. If it fits within Segment 05, then #youthspringmoviesegment05. And so on.

Things to remember:
– It’s your story to tell. The suggestions below are just that: suggestions.
– Be as real as you can. If you can imagine it happening, include it.
– Feel free to incorporate all that TikTok culture entails.
– For those unfamiliar with the platform, TikTok videos are vertical (9:16).
– Make the most of your submission(s). If your video is good enough, it may end up in more than one version of the film.

the plot

– Remember, this is a movie made up entirely of TikTok videos, telling the story. Consider the following a loose framework to work within. You can choose any segment or segments you would like to make a video for. You’re welcome/encouraged to work with others to make certain segments (or the whole plot) your own.

Segment 01: Intro
Young people reacting on TikTok to an anonymous online essay (read here). 
A call is made to give it a shot.
Creative and enthusiastic mass response marks the beginning of a movement.
Suggestion: Videos may include some funny, some serious, some questioning, etc. 
Suggestion: This is also where young people make the case for why they’re joining.

Segment 02: Demands
Youth participants construct their demands.
Suggestion: This may include talking to scientists, deliberating amongst each other, voting on proposals, etc.
Suggestion: For ideas, watch the “Dear Climate Youth” section of Don’t Look Up – again (the satire that changed the world). 

Segment 03: Delivery
Congress is offered the plan and given a deadline. 
Suggestion: This may include the act/spectacle of delivery, waiting for an answer, reactions to it not being embraced, etc.

Segment 04: Planning
The movement prepares to Strike.
Suggestion: This may include organizing, coordinating with essential transportation and logistics entities, divvying up tasks, etc.

Segment 05: Strike
The deadline is not met, and the movement begins to SHUT SHIT DOWN. 
Suggestion: This may include (appropriated) protest videos, police encounters, (fake) news reports, etc.
Suggestion: This may also include TikTok videos showing older people helping, facilitating, supporting, etc. 
Suggestion: This may include reactions of those who oppose the movement (politicians, pundits, and average people), as well as reactions to such opposition on TikTok.

Segment 06: Resolution/Conclusion
This is for you to figure out.

Producers/Editors

– We invite aspiring producers and editors to take the lead in putting together the pieces of this potentially massive puzzle. If there are enough diverse and disparate video contributions, we most likely will end up with multiple different movies. All of which would make this project that much more insightful.
– Your role would be to select the most impactful videos and connect them in a way that tells a compelling story. This may include identifying gaps in the story, as well as soliciting videos to fill those gaps.
– While some may prefer to work alone, we encourage the assembling of teams to both lighten the load and make the project a more collaborative one. If you wish to work with others in this role or are looking for others to work with, we suggest posting a video expressing your approach with either the hashtag #YouthSpringMovieProducer or #YouthSpringMovieEditor.
– Once finished, we ask producers/editors to upload the succession of videos to TikTok with each hashtagged #YouthSpringMovieFinal and then to contact us so we may put the link on our site. (You may wish to post a video before, introducing yourself and the movie, as well as one after, attributing all the cast/creators.)

Group Submissions

– Whether it be a class project, a student club (film, climate action, etc.), or just teens in the same neighborhood who want to make their own movie, we welcome your creativity and offer a few suggestions for your filmmaking process.
– Remember, this is your version of the events. Read the essay. Think about the premise. Then collectively imagine/brainstorm how the story could unfold. If it differs from the above plot (as it did in the “Dear Climate Youth” section of Don’t Look Up – again), that’s ok too. It’s your story to tell.
– After coordinating who will tackle what, each of you will write and record your own short video from some vantage point in the story. All put together, these snippets should form your own unique narrative. 
– If you see a submission from someone on TikTok that you think works particularly well in your story, please attribute them at the end.
– Likewise, if you’re ok with others using particular scenes from your movie in their own project (which could possibly bring attention to your own), you may want to post the videos as individual submissions on TikTok as well. 
– For those who wish to use their final product to showcase online (outside of TikTok) or to submit to film festivals, you may want participants to record each scene twice. Once vertically (9:16) for TikTok, and once again horizontally (16:9) for a second edit suitable for youtube/vimeo, television, and theater screens. Though, again, please make sure everyone is attributed and on board with such showcase/submission. General release forms can be found here. 
– We ask that groups who choose a vertical (TikTok) format for their movie to please create (or use an existing) TikTok account, upload the videos in succession with the hashtag #YouthSpringMovieGroupSubmission, and contact us so we may put the link on our site.  
– For groups that choose a horizontal (16:9) format, we also ask that you let us know so we may link to your film from our site.

The Final Product

– As the final product must be considered Creative Commons (and we are a small, independent team with no external funding), any time and effort given to this project should be considered voluntary. Your compensation will be the contribution this movie makes and the name recognition you garner from its reception.

Deadlines/Film Festival

– As stated above, depending upon how much and what kind of footage is collected, we expect multiple versions of the movie. And if the project catches fire in multiple countries, we may end up with hundreds of diverse, entertaining, and thought-provoking films. With a mission of inspiring millions of young people to contemplate their power and potential, we say the more the merrier.
– That said, what good would it be to have multiple films without a film festival to showcase them? More details on that to come. 
– What you should know right now is that, to be considered eligible for the Youth Spring Film Festival, movies must be completed and posted on TikTok (using either the hashtag #YouthSpringMovieFinal or #YouthSpringMovieGroupSubmission) by the last day of spring (June 20, 2025).
– Once posted on TikTok, or if posted elsewhere online, please send us the link so we may update you on Film Festivals details. Once again, the deadline for finished films is the last day of spring (June 20, 2025).
– For those making individual videos to be considered in the movie, we encourage a deadline of April 22, 2025 (Earth Day). This should give you time to decide on a worthy submission, as well as provide editors/producers a full two months to assemble their version of the film (before their deadline of June 20, 2025).