For years big beverage companies have aggressively marketed sugar sweetened beverages to children and teenagers. When you think about it, they’ve succeeded, because we’re so used to seeing their ads and products that we barely notice how surrounded we are by them. How many times a day do you see a soda or sports drink ad or have easy access to any sugary drink on the market? Maybe it’s at school, your favorite restaurant, your friend’s house or during a television commercial break. Whatever the case, the problem is clear—sugary drinks are everywhere, and you, your friends, and your family deserve something better.

The Horizon Foundation and Howard County Unsweetened invite high school students (Grades 9-12) who live or attend school in Howard County to submit a documentary (10 minutes or less in length) that highlights how healthy drink choices are hard to find in our community, why that might be the case, and to outline YOUR solutions to this problem. We invite students to use your imaginations and the rich human resources you can find to document the problem, interview adults and other kids about the inconsistent messages you see, and to demand better drink options in our community.

Group efforts/collaborations of at least 3 members will be accepted for this competition as well as individual efforts. The documentary must follow Competition Guidelines and will be judged by a panel. The winning film will receive either a $10,000 award (for a team entry) OR a $3,000 award (for individual entry)! In addition, a special “Red Carpet” event will be held at The Horowitz Center Smith Theatre at Howard Community College, December 11, 2013 when students and guests will view the winning films on the “big screen” and winners will be revealed.

The winning teams/individual have the potential to work alongside media professionals and be actively involved in the process of turning their original concept into a social media campaign.