Scholarship Overview

The Pikes Peak docuFEST Visionary Scholarship offers $500 to graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue a degree in a film-related field, with an emphasis on documentary filmmaking. The winner will also receive an automatic and free submission into the Student Documentary category for the next year's event. This scholarship is designed to empower the next generation of storytellers by fostering creativity, innovation, and a passion for documentary filmmaking.

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Eligibility Requirements

1. Must be a graduating high school senior with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
    

2. Must be accepted or planning to enroll in an accredited college, university, or trade school with a film-related program for the upcoming academic year.
    

3. Must demonstrate a passion for storytelling and creativity through film or related media.
    

Application Instruction

All application materials must be submitted by June 6, 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

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Required Materials

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1. Personal Statement: Attach a 500 essay answering the following prompt:  "What documentary story do you hope to tell, and why is it important to you? How will your education in filmmaking help you bring this story to life and make an impact through documentary storytelling?"
    

2. Portfolio (Optional): Submit 1-3 examples of your creative work (e.g., a short film, screenplay excerpt, photography series, or video project). For each submission, include a brief description of your role and the story behind the work.
    

3. Letters of Recommendation: Provide 1-2 letters from teachers, mentors, or community leaders who can speak to your creativity, work ethic, and passion for filmmaking.
    

4. Proof of Enrollment: Provide a letter of acceptance or other documentation confirming your enrollment in a film-related program.
    

5. High School transcript

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Selection Criteria 

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Applications will be evaluated based on the following:

1. Creativity and Vision: Clear passion for documentary storytelling and innovative ideas in film.
    

2. Academic Achievement: A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher is required.
    

3. Community Involvement: Participation in extracurricular activities or volunteer work.
    

4. Financial Need (Optional): Considered in cases of equally qualified candidates.

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Application Timeline

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1. Application Open: March 1, 2025
    

2. Applications Close: June 6, 2025
    

3. Notification Date: August 1, 2025
    

4. Award Presented: Annually at Pikes Peak docuFEST.

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