No Malice Film Contest

The No Malice Film Contest creates a platform for Illinois youth and young adults, ages 11-21, to explore the topic of racial healing using the medium of film. We believe youth and young adults have the capacity and desire to use their words and actions to promote fairness, heal the wounds within their communities, and participate in social change for the benefit of all. The No Malice Film Contest encourages entrants to take a creative and thoughtful approach to these aspirations through the creation of short films. Winning films will premiere at Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum's No Malice Film Contest on July 31, 2021. They will be screened again at EbertFest at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in Fall 2021. Winning films will also be offered to Illinois educators as part of an online curriculum that uses peer films to address topics of racial healing with youth. To enter the contest, please create a 3- to 7-minute film addressing the topic of racial healing. Animations of at least 45 seconds in length will also be accepted. Entrants will also submit a Director's Statement and sign an Oath and Permission Form to complete their submission. Entrants may complete submissions individually or with a group. Submissions will be judged in the following age-related categories: 11-14, 15-18, and 19-21. In mixed age groups, submissions should be entered using the age of the oldest participant. The No Malice Film Contest is co-hosted by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, The Roger and Chaz Ebert Foundation, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation. The Contest is funded by a grant from Healing Illinois, a racial healing initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) in partnership with The Chicago Community Trust. The banner photo was taken by Kelly Lacy and made available for use via Pexels.