Youth Opportunities - Saturday January 22nd, 2011

Saturday January 22, 2011

[UPDATE: It may be useful to browse these old listings as many programs are annual, but for more current contests and competitions, head to the Youth Opportunities page.]

There are several opportunities for book lovers this week, and for youth who are interested in social activism.

Free the Children - Youth in Action Summits
• Youth aged 11 to 20
• Application deadlines: Montreal Feb. 4th, Kelowana & Los Angeles Feb. 11th, Vancouver & San Francisco Feb. 18th, Toronto Feb. 19th 2011,
In 2011 Youth in Action Summits will take place in Montreal (Feb. 19), Los Angeles (Feb. 26), Kelowna (Feb. 27), Toronto (March 5), San Francisco (March 5) and Vancouver (March 6). The summits are intended to assist young social activists with "taking the necessary steps towards becoming a leader and a Free The Children ambassador".

YMCA of Greater Toronto - International Youth Internship Program
• Canadian post-secondary graduates, unemployed or underemployed, between the ages of 19 and 30
• Deadline February 11th, 2011
The YMCA's International Youth Internship Program will send four interns to international placements to support local community projects beginnng in May 2011. This year there are opportunities available in Ghana, Colombia, Senegal and Jamaica.

Westport Youth Film Festival
• High school students or younger
• Final deadline March 15th, 2011
Taking place May 13th-14th 2011 in Fairfield Conneticut, the Westport Youth Film Festival invites submissions of films that were made by young directors when they were in high school or younger. This U.S. festival does welcome international submissions. Entry fees apply - $15 if you submit by February 20th, $20 if you submit by March 1st, or $25 for the final deadline, March 15th.

Judy Blume Journal Contest
• Residents of U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec) age 13 and over
• Deadline February 18th, 2011
Submit the story of the first time you read your favorite Judy Blume book to Random House's Judy Blume Journal Contest and you could win an "iPod touch, a personalized message from Judy Blume and a collection of audiobooks".

The 90-Second Newberry Film Festival
• Anyone age 18 or younger (some adult participation allowed)
• Deadline September 15, 2011
Author James Kennedy invites 90-secondish video versions of Newberry Award winning books (or Newberry Honour books) to compete for a spot in The 90-Second Newberry Film Festival planned for fall of 2011 at the New York Public Library. Kennedy's webpage doesn't lay out particular age restrictions, only saying productions should condense the entirety of the chosen book (or chosen books, for crossover videos) and dramatize the whole story using "mostly child actors". There are a few more specific eligibility requirements posted by Elizabeth Bird of the New York Public Library system, so be sure to visit and read both sites if you're interested in taking part. Watch Kennedy's sample video below:



Upcoming Deadlines:

Toronto Fringe - TD Bank Young Producer (Today!)

Optimist International Essay Contest (vary locally; late Jan/early Feb)

United Way - The Creative Institute for Toronto's Young (CITY) Leaders (01/31/11)

Toyota Earth Day Canada Scholarship (01/31/11)

Sprockets Film Festival Youth Jury Call (02/11/11)

Weston Youth Innovation Award (02/14/11)

Food Secure Canada - Good Food Hero Comic Contest (03/01/11)

Everyday Heroes Festival - Video (03/01/11)

Santa Monica Teen Film Festival Submissions (03/04/11)

Sprockets Film Festival Jump Cuts Film Submissions (03/07/11)

Optimist International Oratorical Contest (vary locally; generally late March)

Canadian Aboriginal Writing & Arts Challenge (03/31/11)

Kaleidoscope Real World Video Challenge (03/31/11)

Goolge Global Science Fair (04/04/11)

The Great EcoKids Challenge (04/29/11)

The James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Award (05/31/11)

The Fraser Institute Essay Contest (05/01/11)

National Shakespeare Youth Festival (Registration open)

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