Nominations open for Planet Forward Storyfest Awards

Deadline: 15-Jan-2027

The Planet Forward Storyfest Awards recognize outstanding student storytelling on environmental innovation and positive solutions for the planet. The competition invites students to submit published stories that explore environmental challenges, innovative ideas, and breakthroughs that can contribute to positive change. Categories include short video, social video, written story, and multimedia story. Six grand prize winners will receive an opportunity to join a seven-night, eight-day expedition to Alaska with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.

About the Planet Forward Storyfest Awards

The Planet Forward Storyfest Awards provide a platform for student storytellers to highlight environmental innovation and explore important topics affecting communities and the planet. The competition values storytelling that demonstrates: - Creativity. - Factual accuracy. - Exploration of underrepresented topics. - Representation of underrepresented communities. - Environmental innovation. - Ideas that can drive positive change. Students can submit stories in different formats, allowing participants to showcase environmental storytelling through video, written work, or multimedia. What Are the Story Categories?

Participants can submit published stories in categories including

- Short video. - Social video. - Written story. - Multimedia story. Each category provides an opportunity for students to present environmental topics through a creative storytelling format. What Topics Can Stories Cover? Eligible stories should focus on environmental themes and innovations that can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Topics include:

- Food systems. - Water conservation. - Energy innovation. - Sustainable mobility. - The built environment. - Biodiversity. - Public health. - Climate justice. Stories should explore ideas, innovations, or breakthroughs that have the potential to drive positive change for the planet. What Makes a Strong Story? The Storyfest Awards recognise storytelling that combines strong content with creative presentation.

Submitted stories should demonstrate:

- Creative storytelling. - Factual accuracy. - Meaningful exploration of environmental issues. - Attention to underrepresented topics or communities. - A focus on solutions, ideas, innovations, or breakthroughs. The competition provides students with an opportunity to use storytelling to make environmental innovation more accessible and engaging. What Do the Grand Prize Winners Receive? Six grand prize winners will receive a seven-night, eight-day expedition voyage to Alaska.

The expedition will travel through:

- Alaska’s Inside Passage. - Endicott Arm. - Prince Rupert. The expedition is operated by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. What Is the Alaska Expedition Like? Grand prize winners will travel alongside expert naturalists during the expedition. The experience will also include visits to local communities that have deep connections with nature and culture. The expedition provides winners with an opportunity to experience Alaska’s natural environment while learning from experts and engaging with communities connected to the region. Who Can Apply? The competition is open to eligible post-secondary students.

Entrants must:

- Be enrolled as a post-secondary college or university student at the time of entry, or be within six months of graduation. - Be at least 18 years old. - Submit an eligible published story through PlanetForward.org. - Submit the story within the specified competition period. When Can Stories Be Submitted? Eligible stories must be submitted on PlanetForward.org between: - 1 May 2026 and 15 January 2027 Applicants should ensure that their stories are submitted within this period. What Type of Story Can Be Submitted? Participants can submit published stories in the competition’s listed formats, including short video, social video, written story, and multimedia story. The submitted work should focus on an environmental topic, innovation, idea, or breakthrough relevant to the competition’s themes. Why Participate in the Storyfest Awards? The Planet Forward Storyfest Awards provide students with an opportunity to use journalism and storytelling to highlight environmental innovation.

Participants can

- Showcase their environmental storytelling. - Explore important environmental issues. - Highlight innovative solutions. - Bring attention to underrepresented topics and communities. - Demonstrate creativity and factual accuracy. - Compete for an Alaska expedition experience. The competition combines environmental storytelling with an experiential prize that connects winners with Alaska’s natural environment and local communities. Key Facts About the Planet Forward Storyfest Awards

- Competition: Planet Forward Storyfest Awards

- Focus: Environmental innovation and storytelling

- Eligible participants: Post-secondary college or university students

- Recent graduates: Eligible within six months of graduation at the time of entry

- Minimum age: 18

- Story formats: Short video, social video, written story, multimedia story

- Grand prize winners: Six

- Grand prize: Seven-night, eight-day expedition to Alaska

- Expedition operator: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

- Destinations: Alaska’s Inside Passage, Endicott Arm, and Prince Rupert

- Experience: Travel with expert naturalists and visit local communities

- Submission platform: PlanetForward.org

- Submission period: 1 May 2026–15 January 2027

- Key themes: Food systems, water conservation, energy innovation, sustainable mobility, built environment, biodiversity, public health, and climate justice Frequently Asked Questions About the Planet Forward Storyfest Awards What are the Planet Forward Storyfest Awards? The Planet Forward Storyfest Awards recognize outstanding student storytelling focused on environmental innovation, ideas, and breakthroughs that can contribute to positive change for the planet. Who can participate in the competit