AIST Foundation Real Steel Video Contest

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Goal

The goal of the AIST Foundation Real Steel Video Contest (the “Video Contest”) is to challenge students to research the steel industry and produce a three-minute original video that educates viewers on a predetermined, steel-related theme.

Video Submission Guidelines

Each video contest submission should educate viewers on the 2025 theme, “Steel – from the Gen Z Perspective” and include at least two of the following key components:

• Interview with recent graduate(s) who work for a steel-producing or steel-related company that explains the benefits of working in the industry as a young professional.
• Conduct an original survey of your peers to gauge their impressions of the steel industry and their opinions on the positive impact of pursuing a career in steelmaking.
• Provide unique examples of how students and young professionals gaining experience in the industry are changing the way Gen Z views steelmaking.
• Outline examples of how steel companies and associations are attracting the next generation (work-study programs, paid internships, mentor matching, scholarships, etc).
  • If you would like to include AIST-specific examples in this section, you’re welcome to do so without submitting written consent.

In addition to the criteria mentioned above, the video contest committee requires submissions to showcase student creativity. Original footage filmed by your team, along with fresh concepts not seen in previous years' entries, will improve your chances of earning a higher score and a larger cash prize if your submission advances to the semifinals.

A teacher/faculty member at the school must serve as the Faculty Sponsor for each entry. Faculty Sponsors may include this Video Contest as part of their class curriculum, or as a separate activity for their students. One student on the team will serve as the Student Captain.

Eligibility Requirements

The Video Contest is open to all high school students (grades 9–12), post-secondary trade/technical school students, and college and university students. There is no limit to the number of entries that may be submitted, but a maximum of three videos per university can advance to the finals.

Selection Process

During the month of February, the public will play a part in determining the six finalists whose videos will be voted upon by a predetermined Video Contest Committee. The six videos with the highest number of “likes” and an average view duration of 50% or more will advance to the finals.

Once the six finalists are identified, the Video Contest Committee will evaluate the videos based on the integration of key elements identified in the Video Submission Guidelines section above.

Prizes

One (1) Grand Prize of US$3,000 for the overall best video will be awarded and an additional US$5,000 may be distributed to the remaining semi-finalists in varying amounts. Prizes are issued in a single check or via PayPal and should be divided among project team members.

Video Contest Timeline