Nā Leo TV launches inaugural Youth Media Challenge

Nā Leo TV, an incubator for fostering local talent in the creative, media and tech industries, is launching its inaugural Youth Media Challenge.

The initiative is aimed at amplifying the voices and perspectives of Hawai‘i Island youth, offering a platform to showcase their creativity and contribute to community dialogues.

“Empowering the next generation to be storytellers and content creators is at the heart of Nā Leo’s mission,” said Nā Leo O Hawai‘i President and CEO Ashley Kierkiewicz. “The Youth Media Challenge provides a unique avenue, where creativity meets purpose. It presents Hawai‘i Island youth with a valuable opportunity to share their perspectives and produce media that informs, engages and inspires.”

Youth ages 11 to 24 are invited to submit media productions in three age divisions: Junior Visionaries (ages 11-13), Teen Trailblazers (ages 14-18) and Emerging Creators (ages 19-24). They do not need to be enrolled in school to participate.

Participants can produce a public service announcement, short film and digital art in one of 13 themed Categories. These categories, sponsored by community partners, cover a wide range of topics.

The 13 themed categories and sponsors are:

• Support Local: Sponsored by KTA Super Stores (title sponsor).
• Water, Our Most Precious Resource: Sponsored by the Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply.
• Ocean Preservation: Sponsored by the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources.
• Financial Literacy: Sponsored by Hawai‘i Community Federal Credit Union.
• Disaster Preparedness: Sponsored by Hawai‘i County Civil Defense.
• Energy Resilience: Sponsored by Hawaiian Electric.
• Safe Transportation: Sponsored by the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation.
• Fentanyl Awareness: Sponsored by the Hawai‘i Island Fentanyl Task Force.
• Community Safety: Sponsored by the Hawai‘i Police Department.
• Digital Equity: Sponsored by Hawaiian Telcom.
• Visit with Respect: Sponsored by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.
• Homeless Awareness: Sponsored by HOPE Services Hawai‘i.
• Creating Peace: Sponsored by Rotary Club of Hilo and Rotary Club of South Hilo.

The deadline to submit projects is April 19.

Prizes will be awarded for exceptional entries in all categories in each age division. Winning submissions will receive recognition on all Nā Leo channels and platforms, and could be featured in category sponsors’ marketing campaigns.

Finalists will be invited to an awards luncheon ceremony May 18, where winners will be announced.

The ceremony will be rebroadcast on Nā Leo’s Educational Channel 54 and made available for on-demand streaming at naleo.tv shortly after. Every participating youth will receive an exclusive Youth Media Challenge participant T-shirt.

For more information, click here.