The official theme of WorldPride 2025 is "The Fabric of Freedom." Join us in uplifting and amplifying the voices of youth around the world through the Youth Media Challenge.
The voices of youth and young adults are speaking out in LGBTQIA+ solidarity.
The OUR PRIDE Youth Media Challenge invites youth from ages 13 to 18 years to explore how they see themselves, their world, and their future by creating and publishing original audio, video and images. The OUR PRIDE KQED Youth Media Challenge invites youth to share their stories through audio, video, and images.
KQED, a public media organization serving Northern California and a leader in youth media education, provides a platform for publication via the KQED Youth Media Challenge Showcase.
In addition, selected works are presented as part of OUR PRIDE’s World Pride 2025 Shorts & Arts Fest, an official event of WorldPride 2025 in Washington, DC. While KQED amplifies youth voices through its platform, OUR PRIDE curates and leads the festival programming in collaboration with local Pride and other organizations worldwide.
Who can participate?
Ages13 to 18
The Teen Challenge is open to middle and high school age youth. Any youth leader or educator, from teachers to librarians to youth program leaders, can participate by creating an account.
(No login needed for students!)
When does it happen?
We welcome submissions year-round, from classrooms, after-school programs and summer camps.
Periodically, we have deadline-based opportunities to highlight students’ work. Subscribe for KQED updates.
Authentic audience
Submissions are published on the KQED Youth Media Challenge Showcase and in the World Pride 2025 Showcase with the World Pride 2025 Shorts & Arts Fest.
Select pieces may be shared on KQED digital and broadcast channels and via PBS and NPR stations around the USA. Read our Student Publishing FAQs.
Youth Challenge Categories
Informational
Participants show what they know about a topic, concept or scientific phenomenon in a podcast, mini-documentary or infographic.
How to submit
Youth Challenge submissions are made here and go directly to the KQED Youth Media Challenge website.