2023 Novel Expressions Art and Film Contest

Select a book from your summer reading and create a piece of artwork or a short film that expresses your feelings about any part of the story. For example, it could be a character that you feel a connection to or a scene that inspires you. Please be sure to include the novel title in your submission. Submissions are accepted Friday, June 9, through Friday, Aug. 11.

See last year's entries and finalists:

• Finalists
• All entries

Presented by Loudoun County Public Library, Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services and Loudoun Youth Advisory Council.

• Artists are separated into three categories: Rising sixth- through eighth-graders, rising ninth- through 12th-graders, and adults.
• Artists must live in Loudoun County, Va., or any of the following counties or cities: The cities of Falls Church, Alexandria, Winchester or the District of Columbia; Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Prince William, Clarke or Frederick counties in Virginia; Jefferson County in West Virginia; or Montgomery, Washington, Prince George's, Frederick or Charles counties in Maryland.
• Only one submission per artist.  
• Work must be original and previously unpublished (including on the Internet).
• A piece of artwork that is unpublished but has won a monetary award in any other contest is ineligible.  

• Artists entering the film contest must be a rising sixth- through 12th-graders.
• Artists must live in Loudoun County, Va., or any of the following counties or cities: The cities of Falls Church, Alexandria, Winchester or the District of Columbia; Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Prince William, Clarke or Frederick counties in Virginia; Jefferson County in West Virginia; or Montgomery, Washington, Prince George's, Frederick or Charles counties in Maryland.
• Only one film may be submitted per artist.
• Work must be original and previously unpublished (including on the Internet).
• A film that is unpublished but has won a monetary award in any other contest is ineligible.  
• Films must be suitable for a G to PG-13 audience.
• We reserve the right to reject any submission deemed unsuitable or inappropriate. Films containing scenes about harming individuals will be automatically rejected.
• Short films must be no longer than eight minutes.
• Films should be uploaded as an unlisted video to a site such as YouTube. Include a link to the video in the submission form (rather than uploading the original file).

Prizes

The art contest will be judged in three divisions (middle school, high school and adult) with prizes awarded to the top finishers in each division. 

• First place: $100 gift card and art supplies
• Second place: $50 gift card and art supplies 
• Third place: $25 gift card and art supplies

The film contest will be judged in two divisions (middle school and high school) with prizes awarded to the top finishers in each division. 

• First place: $100 gift card and videography supplies
• Second place: $50 gift card and videography supplies
• Third place: $25 gift card and videography supplies

Judging

Entries will be judged by members of the Loudoun Youth Advisory Council, PRCS staff, teen librarians and local professional artists.

Announcing the Winners

A gala event at the Franklin Park Arts Center will take place Saturday, Oct. 28, from 1-5 p.m. Please check back for details.

Questions

Email artcontest@library.loudoun.gov with any questions about the contest.