Na Leo TV, an incubator for nurturing talent in Hawaii Island’s creative and media industries, announces the 2nd annual Youth Media Challenge.
This initiative empowers Hawaii Island youth by providing a platform to showcase their creativity and engage in meaningful community dialogues. The inaugural Youth Media Challenge attracted over 250 participants, with winners sharing in prizes totalling more than $20,000.
“At Na Leo TV, we believe that every young person has a story that deserves to be heard,” said Ashley Kierkiewicz, president and CEO. “The Youth Media Challenge provides a valuable platform for our island’s youth to express their creativity while addressing important issues. We’re eager to see how they will inspire change through their media projects.”
Hawaii Island youth are invited to submit media productions across three age divisions: Junior Visionaries (ages 11-13), Teen Trailblazers (ages 13-18), and Emerging Creators (ages 18-24). Participants do not need to be enrolled in a school institution to participate.
Youth can produce a short film, public service announcement, or digital art aligned with one of 12 themed categories, generously sponsored by community partners:
— Water, our most precious resource (Dept. of Water Supply, title sponsor);
— Pono tourism (Dept. of Research and Development);
— Disaster preparedness (Hawaii County Civil Defense);
— Financial literacy (Hawaii Community FCU);
— Prevention and safety (Hawaii Fire Department);
— Energy resilience (Hawaiian Electric);
— Safe transportation (state Dept. of Transportation);
— Fentanyl awareness (Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force);
— Community safety (Hawaii Police Department);
— End homelessness (HOPE Services Hawaii);
— Mental Health (Vibrant Hawaii);
— Community pride (bonus category).
Complete challenge details are available at naleo.tv/youthmedia.
The deadline to submit media projects is Friday, March 7, 2025. Finalists will be invited to a red carpet luncheon and awards ceremony scheduled for the week of April 21.
Winners will have the opportunity to receive exciting prizes including Insta360 cameras, GoPros, phone cages, gimbals, drawing monitors, Beats Studio Buds, selfie sticks, light panels, microphones and more.
Prizes will be awarded for outstanding entries in each themed category across all age divisions. Winning submissions will receive recognition on Na Leo TV channels and social media platforms, with opportunities to be featured in marketing campaigns from category sponsors.
The awards ceremony will be rebroadcast on Na Leo’s Educational Channel 54 and made available for on-demand streaming shortly after the event.
All participating youth will receive an exclusive commemorative Youth Media Challenge tee and swag.
