How to inspire your students for the Your World video competition

2025 marks the tenth annual Your World competition, where the British Council invites students from its global Partner Schools network to showcase a three-minute social action video. 

This year’s theme was the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. Students had to explore barriers to education within their own community and how they’re overcoming them.

While the Your World competition is a unique opportunity for students to demonstrate their collaboration, digital and core skills, it’s also a challenge. 

While many students already have the skills and practice in making videos, they might struggle to connect broad themes like well-being and sustainability to their lived experiences and the issues facing their communities. 

Given the right support, however, students can overcome these creative blocks and come up with powerful and original ideas. They can also make the most of the preparation time so they produce a video they can be truly proud of and have fun doing so. 

Here are some tips schools can try to inspire students and keep them motivated for the Your World competition:

Try different brainstorming activities

The first step of the Your World competition is often the hardest. Students must develop and agree upon a concept as a group and then commit to it for several weeks.

Brainstorming activities help students explore the Your World theme from different perspectives until they find one they’re satisfied with. They also give students more ownership over the project. When they’ve thought deeply about the idea and reached the decision as a group, they’re more likely to be invested in it.

These brainstorming activities are popular with teenagers:

• Say a word or phrase and have students write down the first idea that comes to mind;
• Set a timer for three minutes and have students write down as many ideas as possible, no matter how crazy or silly they might seem;
• Ask students to gather images related to the theme and create a mood board;
• Sit students in a circle, have them write an idea on a piece of paper, pass them around, and add to each other’s;
• Start by naming all the worst possible ideas and working up to stronger ones.

While students should feel free to get creative, teachers should always clarify why learning through the Your World project is important. Research shows project work can have a significant impact; however, students may not understand the benefits of what they’re doing. They may need the teacher to help them reflect on the skills they’re learning and how they can apply them in the real world.

Show students how to make their ideas a reality

Preparing to shoot can be overwhelming if students haven’t got much experience with the technical side of video content creation. They may get bogged down in details in the storyboard and script, causing them to run short on time toward the end of the project.

On the far side of the spectrum, other students may have strong existing skills but be unclear on how to use them. They may only need a little structured guidance to create incredible videos with little effort.

Try breaking down this stage into manageable steps to keep students motivated while ensuring you stay on track.

• Storyboarding: Students create a visual outline of their video where they sketch each scene, considering factors like sequence, camera angles and transitions. Use storyboard examples from famous TV shows and films to clarify what they should look like.
• Script: Students write the dialogue and directions. Again, have them read and analyse examples so they can better understand what they’re meant to do.
• Location scouting: Students consider where to shoot each scene and check the location will be suitable. This helps them avoid issues during filming, for example, having to work around loud noises or realising they don’t have full access.
• Cast: Students decide who should appear in the video and organise a suitable time and day with them. A filming schedule ensures everyone will be available when needed, minimising delays and disruptions.
  

Teach students filming best practices

Many teenage students are adept with a smartphone camera. However, learning some best practices could help them hone their video-making skills and set them up for success.

Lighting

When filming outside, students should ensure they have plenty of natural light. Early morning and late afternoon are considered to be good times of day as shadows are less harsh, making it easier to get a good shot.

Sound

Students should film in a quiet space to limit background noise. They should avoid locations close to roads and crowded areas and turn off nearby equipment like fans and air conditioners. If using a microphone, they should bring it as close to the person speaking as possible.

Shot composition

One good practice, known as the Rule of Thirds, is to divide the frame into a nine-box grid and put the subjects where the lines intersect. This helps balance shots and makes them look visually interesting. Many cameras have the option to add grid lines, even tablets and smartphones, so students can position themselves more easily.

Background

Students should make sure the background is interesting but not distracting. They should check there’s no clutter or busy patterns behind the subject that could catch the viewer’s eye. If possible, they should ensure there isn’t too much movement or activity aside from the main action in the frame.

Safeguarding

As educators, we must also play an important role in safeguarding students during the Your World competition. We need to obtain permission from parents and guardians for students to appear in the video and leave the school premises. 

Everyone should also understand the risks involved with filming and how to protect themselves and others. For example, students should know not to refer to themselves by name to keep their identities safe.

Walk students through the different stages of editing

By this stage, students have all the raw footage they need to create the video. The challenge is that editing typically takes longer than filming, which may surprise and discourage some students.

Taking everyone through the different stages of editing can show students what to expect and prevent them from getting frustrated.

• Organising the footage: This stage involves importing all the footage onto a computer and putting it into chronological order.
• Cutting: Students can do a rough cut and trim unnecessary sections followed by a fine cut where they adjust cuts for pacing, continuity, and rhythm.
• Adding effects: Once the footage is ready, students can apply filters, transitions, and graphics.
• Adding audio: Students can add music or sound effects that complement the video’s style and theme.

Before finalising each project, give students plenty of time to review and make adjustments. Have them watch the video to see where they could make improvements. Groups could arrange a viewing session for other students to give their opinions and point out issues that may have been overlooked.

The benefits of taking part in Your World 

Entering the Your World competition can bring your school numerous benefits. It’s a chance to help students engage creatively with social themes and learn a range of hard and soft skills. If you blend video content creation sessions with your regular classes, it’s also an opportunity to enrich your school curriculum.

Your school is more likely to reap the full benefits of the Your World competition if you set up students for success. This means providing them with the support, guidance and inspiration they need to bring their ideas to life. By encouraging students, you can empower them to develop skills that they can apply in lots of different situations.