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Lights, camera, creativity –
and a whole lot more!

Calling all young visionaries to embark on a blockbuster journey with Destination Imagination’s Team Film Challenge!

In this filmmaking adventure, students will discover the power of their own creativity and work together as a team to turn their imagination into a force for ingenious problem-solving and storytelling.

What's in Store for Teams

Explore Filmmaking Elements

From crafting compelling narratives to mastering the nuances of cinematography, sound, mise-en-scène, and editing, teams will immerse themselves in the diverse aspects of filmmaking.

No special equipment is required. If it can record audio and video, you’re good to go!

Ignite Creativity

Unleash your team’s imagination! Our Team Film Challenge encourages out-of-the-box thinking, fostering an environment where creativity knows no bounds. 

Problem-Solving at its Core

Teams will base their films on a unique challenge to solve, encouraging innovative solutions and showcasing the power of teamwork. The catch? They have just 8 weeks to make it happen!

See below for the complete schedule!

Shared Vision

The challenge encourages teams to collaboratively define their narrative, ensuring that every voice is heard and every idea contributes to the overarching story. It’s not just a film; it’s a collective vision.

Everyone's Invited!

From elementary school to university, all students are welcome to join the fun! Teams can consist of 2-7 members and will enter their solution in one of four levels:

  • Elementary (grades 3-5)
  • Middle (grades 6-8)
  • Secondary (grades 9-12)
  • University

 

Teams may consist of students from different levels but must enter their solution at the level of their oldest student.

Friendly Competition

While teams compete for top honors, the real victory lies in the global impact of storytelling. Share your narrative, learn from others, and contribute to the rich tapestry of creativity that spans continents.

Winners will be announced in an epic Awards Ceremony. 

and...

will allow your team to learn from world class storytellers at Pixar, Netflix, Dreamworks, and more!

Every Team Film Challenge team will get
2 MONTHS of access to Story Xperiential’s platform.
&
Veterans from Pixar and Khan Academy will review team submissions
and select the team to receive our Critic’s Choice Award!

Learn more about Story Xperiential HERE.

check out our 2026 challenge...

That Escalated Quickly

What happens when a perfectly normal, ordinary day turns into something outrageous? In this season’s Team Film Challenge, show how an unlikely character suddenly finds themselves in a truly ridiculous situation they are unprepared to handle. Include a moment of foreshadowing that hints at what’s to come, and experiment with point-of-view and SnorriCam-style camera work as you tell your story. In the end, show how even after something preposterous has happened, a character can return to something mundane.

  • Present a story with a mundane beginning, a preposterous middle, and a mundane ending.
  • Include at least one unlikely character who is highly unprepared to deal with the events of the preposterous middle of the story.
  • Include a foreshadowing element.
  • Use a point-of-view shot to enhance your Film.
  • Use one model stunt to enhance your Film.
  • Create and present one element of your team’s choosing that shows off your team’s interests, skills, areas of strength, and talents.

FALL (SEP-NOV) 2026 TEAM REGISTRATION

Ready to roll? Then grab your popcorn, rally your squad, and join us for our Team Film Challenge! Registration is now open, and the competition kicks off in September.

Inside the U.S.

US-Map

$299*

Per Team - Early Bird
May 15 through July 14

$499*

Per Team - Starting July 15

*Additional Team Manager Background Check cost may apply. See our Background Check page for more details.

Outside the U.S.

Global-Map

VARIES**

** Price will be based on the purchaser’s home country.

Sign up below to receive updates about the Team Film Challenge.

FALL 2026 (SEP-NOV) SCHEDULE

friday,
May 15

Registration Opens

Teams that purchase early can secure their Team Number for $299—the same price as last year. Early Bird opens May 15 and runs through July 14. On July 15, the Team Number price increases to $499.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

Team Manager background checks (required for US teams only) will be available at this time. Educators with current background checks may use our online Background Check waiver to avoid purchasing a new background check.
Team registration and Team Manager background checks must be completed in order to access the Challenge on September 11, 2026.

Thursday,
September 3

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

This is the recommended deadline to register, complete the Team Manager background check (US only) and complete all Team Member forms.

Registrations may still be purchased up to and after September 10, but the team may have less time to solve the challenge.

Friday,
September 11

Challenge Release & Clarifications

Download the Challenge and get to work! If your team has questions about the Challenge, they may ask for a Clarification starting on this date.

Sunday,
October 25

Clarifications Close

Make sure all of your Clarification questions are submitted by 11:59 p.m. PT.

Wednesday,
november 4

Solution Submission

All teams must have their solutions submitted by 11:59 p.m. PT.

THURSDAY,
November 19

Appeals Deadline

Teams will have received their raw scores by November 17 and will have until 11:59 p.m. PT on November 19 to make any appeal to their raw scores.

Thursday,
december 10

Awards Ceremony

Join us for a special online awards ceremony hosted on our exclusive digital film festival platform.

QUESTIONS? CONTACT US

Not sure which option is right for you? Our chatbot at the bottom of our site can help or check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

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General Interest​

Interested in starting a team? Looking to offer DI in your area? 

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Current Customers​

Have an issue we can help you out with?

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Take a Deeper Dive​

Office hours

Are you a parent or in the education field? If so, it’s never too late to learn about how you can bring the power of Destination Imagination to your students. Register for a small group conversation with a DI staff member to ask questions, talk through your context, and understand how DI experiences work in real settings, so you can decide what makes sense for your students (or kids!)

Digital Open Archived Results

The Team Film Challenge was previously named Digital Open.
Thanks to all the teams who have participated in Digital Open. 

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