2025 High Knob Outdoor Fest Film Competition

The inaugural High Knob Outdoor Fest Film Competition challenges videographers to capture why they love High Knob through short film productions that highlight the rich biodiversity, outdoor recreation opportunities, and ecological importance of natural areas within the High Knob Region. The High Knob Region includes the City of Norton and communities in Wise, Scott, and Lee counties. Film submissions will be judged and awards presented during a film screening held as part of the 2025 High Knob Outdoor Fest (Aug. 9-16, 2025) in the City of Norton. Please see below for contest criteria. 

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CONTEST AND SUBMISSION CRITERIA:
Contest entries will be accepted June 1-Aug. 1, 2025. Films must have been produced during the years 2023, 2024, or 2025 to be considered for this contest. Submitted films must be a minimum 3 minutes in length and a maximum of 10 minutes. Each contestant can submit one film. Contest open to all ages. 
 

Films must focus on the theme "Why I Love High Knob" and do so through subject matter that highlights the rich biodiversity, outdoor recreation opportunities, and ecological importance of natural areas within the High Knob Region. Films must also be filmed within the High Knob Region (City of Norton and communities in Wise, Scott, and Lee counties).

Films must be submitted by completing the following: 

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• Filling out a competition entry form 

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• Providing a link to your film (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)

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• Providing a copy of the film on a USB stick or via Google Drive or similar cloud-based sharing program

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• Paying the film submission entry fee ($20)

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All film submissions must be the original work of the person submitting the film. Films must be produced in the High Knob Region (City of Norton and Wise, Scott and Lee counties). You must own the rights to the film you are submitting. Films that a third party can control or own will not be accepted. Film submissions also cannot infringe upon the trademark, copyright, moral rights, intellectual rights, or rights of privacy of any entity or person. By submitting films for this contest, you also agree to allow the City of Norton and High Knob Destination Center to use your films for advertising and marketing purposes.

Film applications and submissions can be emailed to destinationcenter@nortonva.org. Contest submission fees can be dropped off at the High Knob Destination Center, 1147 Laurel Ave. SW, Norton, or mailed to P.O. Box 618, Norton, VA 24273 c/o Katie Dunn.

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APPLICATION FORMS: Please fill out the application form via Google Forms or by downloading and mailing this PDF form. 

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COST: The cost to enter the contest is $20. 

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AWARDS:
Winners will be announced during a screening of submitted films in downtown Norton. More information about the screening will be announced soon. Winners will also be recognized on the city’s social media accounts. The following awards will be presented: 

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• High Knob Adventurer’s Prize ($200.00): Awarded to the submission that best highlights the outdoor adventures available in the High Knob Region.

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• Ecologist’s Prize ($200.00): Awarded to the submission that best celebrates the High Knob Region’s biodiversity and captures the ecological importance of natural areas within the region.

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• Community’s Choice ($200.00): Awarded to the video that receives the highest number of votes via an online poll where viewers can cast votes for their favorite films.

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QUESTIONS:
Please contact the High Knob Destination Center at (276) 679-3103 or destinationcenter@nortonva.org.

This competition is sponsored by the City of Norton, High Knob Outdoor Fest, and High Knob Destination Center.