Through Your Lens: Pennsylvania
A Community Film & Video Challenge
Any camera. Any story. Free music. No experience required.
Enter the Challenge ← links to submission page
HOW IT WORKS
It's as simple as 1, 2, 3.
1. Browse the Library & Pick Your Song Explore our curated collection of locally produced music, fully licensed and completely free for your entry. We have two libraries to choose from:
Vocal Tracks & Instrumental Tracks
Listen through, find the song that fits your story, and make note of the track and artist name.
2. Request Your Free License Once you've found your song, click the envelope icon ✉ on the track to send a license request. Fill out the short form as follows:
- Project Type → Select "Other"
- Project Name → Type "Through Your Lens" or "Arts Fest"
- Additional Info → List the channels where you plan to post your video (for example: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Vimeo, include all that apply)
Your license will be confirmed and sent to you directly. This is your permission to use the song in your submission, hold onto it.
3. Make Your Video & Submit Film anything in or about Pennsylvania that's positive, uplifting, and tells a story. Post it to YouTube or Social Media and tag @spacesinbetweenproductions & @cpartsfestival on Instagram, @spacesinbetweenband & @CentralPAFestivaloftheArts on Facebook. Then submit your finished video before the deadline.
Submission Deadline: July 1st, 2026 Winners announced and screened live at The State Theatre during the Central PA Festival of the Arts, Friday, July 10, 2026.
Submit Your Video ← links to submission page
What can you make a video about?
Choose one of our eight categories, or let your story choose for you.
Sports Travel & Adventure Business Documentary Non-Profit Education Entertainment How-To
Two format tracks, enter one or both: Horizontal (YouTube / 16:9 / 1 min+) Vertical (Reels & Shorts / 9:16 / 15 sec+)
Keep it positive, keep it Pennsylvania.
All entries must be clean, uplifting, and connected to Pennsylvania in some way. Content must be free of political, religious, or derogatory material. Videos must include the licensed song from our library as the soundtrack.
Presented By
Spaces In Between Productions
Screening & Awards: The State Theatre, State College · Friday, July 10, 2026 Central PA Festival of the Arts · July 8–12, 2026
#ThroughYourLensPA
Ready to tell your Pennsylvania story?
Browse the Vocal Library Browse the Instrumental Library Submit Your Video Below
Prize Summary
Award |
Prize |
Est. Value |
Choice? |
|---|---|---|---|
Grand Prize |
Winner's Choice: Recording Session, Artist Showcase, Podcast, or Custom Soundtrack |
$2,500 |
Yes |
Entertainment |
Artist Showcase / House Show or Custom Soundtrack Song |
$1,500 |
Yes |
Business |
Filmed Podcast, Artist Showcase, or Custom Soundtrack |
$1,200 |
Yes |
Documentary |
Custom Soundtrack Song |
$1,000 |
— |
Non-Profit |
Filmed Podcast, Artist Showcase, or Custom Soundtrack |
$1,000 |
Yes |
Sports |
1-Year Sync Library Subscription |
$300 |
— |
Travel & Adventure |
1-Year Sync Library Subscription |
$300 |
— |
Education |
1-Year Sync Library Subscription |
$300 |
— |
How-To |
1-Year Sync Library Subscription |
$300 |
— |
TOTAL PRIZE VALUE |
Provided by Spaces In Between Productions (+ Sponsor Prizes TBD) |
$7,500 |
FAQ
Through Your Lens: Pennsylvania — FAQ Last updated: May 2026
GETTING STARTED
What is Through Your Lens: Pennsylvania? An open community film and video challenge. Anyone can enter, students, residents, local businesses, nonprofits, filmmakers, and first-time creators. You pick a free song from our music library, make a short video featuring Pennsylvania in a positive way, and submit it. No experience required. Any camera. Completely free to enter.
Who can enter? Any legal resident of the United States who is 13 years of age or older. Entrants ages 13–17 must have parental or guardian consent. Employees and immediate family members of Spaces In Between LLC, and prize suppliers are not eligible.
How much does it cost to enter? Nothing. Entry is completely free. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.
When is the challenge open? Submissions open May 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT and close July 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT. Entries submitted outside this window will not be accepted.
ENTERING
How do I enter? Four steps:
- Browse the Spaces In Between Productions Sync Library and choose one free song.
- Submit a license request for that track through the library platform. Use "Through Your Lens" or "Arts Fest" as the project name and list the channels where you plan to post.
- Make your video featuring Pennsylvania in a positive way, using the licensed song as your soundtrack.
- Submit your video through the official entry form at spacesinbetweenproductions.com/throughyourlens#submission-form.
How many times can I enter? Up to four (4) entries total across all categories and format tracks combined. If you submit the same video to both Track A (Horizontal) and Track B (Vertical), each counts as a separate entry toward your four-entry limit.
Do I have to post my video on social media to enter? No. Social media is completely optional. The only required step is submitting through the official entry form on our website. If you choose to share your video on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook, that's great — but it is not a condition of entry and does not count as an additional entry.
What link do I submit? A publicly accessible or unlisted YouTube, Vimeo, or social media link. You can also submit an electronic storage download link (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). Your video must be accessible by judges — do not submit a private link.
THE MUSIC
How do I get my free song? Browse the Spaces In Between Productions Sync Library, find a track you love, and click the envelope icon ✉ to send a license request. Fill out the short form:
- Project Type: Other
- Project Name: Through Your Lens or Arts Fest
- Additional Info: List all the channels where you plan to post your video
Your license will be confirmed and sent to you directly.
Can I use more than one song? No. Each entry must use exactly one (1) song from our library.
Can I use the same song for multiple entries? Yes. If you submit more than one video, you may license and use the same track for each, or choose a different track for each entry.
What can I do with the license? The free license covers your challenge entry video and posting it on the channels you listed in your license request. It does not cover any other commercial use, broadcast, or distribution of the song. For any additional use, contact us at casey@spacesinbetweenproductions.com.
YOUR VIDEO
What can my video be about? Anything that features or is meaningfully connected to Pennsylvania in a positive way. It can be a story, a place, a person, a business, an event, a sport, a trail, if it celebrates this community, it belongs here.
What are the format requirements?
Track A: YouTube / Horizontal:
- Aspect ratio: 16:9 (widescreen)
- Minimum length: 1 minute
- Minimum resolution: 1080p (1920 x 1080)
- File format: MP4 or MOV
Track B: Social Media / Vertical:
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
- Minimum length: 15 seconds
- Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1920
- File format: MP4 or MOV
Can I submit to both tracks? Yes. If your video meets the requirements for both tracks, you can submit it to both. Each submission counts separately toward your four-entry limit.
What kind of content is not allowed? Entries must not contain: derogatory, hateful, harassing, or discriminatory content; political content of any kind; religious advocacy content; third-party copyrighted material you don't have permission to use; or content that is primarily a commercial advertisement without meaningful community storytelling. Full content standards are in Section 6 of the Official Rules.
Does my video need to credit the song? Yes. Include this in your video description: "Music: [Song Title] by [Artist] - Spaces In Between Productions Sync Library."
CATEGORIES
What are the categories? Sports, Travel & Adventure, Business, Documentary, Non-Profit, Education, Entertainment, and How-To.
How do I choose a category? Pick the one that best fits your video's subject. If your video could fit more than one category, choose the one where you feel your story is strongest, you cannot enter the same video in multiple categories, but you can submit different videos in different categories within your four-entry limit.
JUDGING & WINNERS
How are winners selected? A panel of judges selected by Spaces In Between LLC scores all eligible entries on four weighted criteria:
- Storytelling & Concept - 30%
- Music Integration - 25%
- Craft & Production - 25%
- Pennsylvania Connection - 20%
In the event of a tie, the entry with the higher Storytelling & Concept score wins. All judging decisions are final.
When and where are winners announced? Winners are announced live at The State Theatre in downtown State College on Friday, July 10, 2026, during the Central PA Festival of the Arts. Selected videos will screen at Arts Fest venue The State Theatre July 10.
How will I be notified if I win? Winners are announced publicly at The State Theatre on July 10. Following the announcement, we'll contact potential winners by email within five (5) business days using the address you provided at submission. You'll have 14 days to respond.
PRIZES
What are the prizes?
| Award | Prize Options | Est. Value |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prize | Winner's choice: Recording Session + Single, Artist Showcase, Filmed Podcast, or Custom Soundtrack | $2,500 |
| Entertainment | Artist Showcase / House Show or Custom Soundtrack | $1,500 |
| Business | Filmed Podcast, Artist Showcase, or Custom Soundtrack | $1,200 |
| Documentary | Custom Soundtrack Song | $1,000 |
| Non-Profit | Filmed Podcast, Artist Showcase, or Custom Soundtrack | $1,000 |
| Sports | 1-Year Sync Library Subscription | $300 |
| Travel & Adventure | 1-Year Sync Library Subscription | $300 |
| Education | 1-Year Sync Library Subscription | $300 |
| How-To | 1-Year Sync Library Subscription | $300 |
Total prize pool: approximately $7,500, plus additional sponsor prizes TBD.
What is the Full Band Recording Session? Up to 8 hours at a professional studio in the State College / Centre County area, including mixing, mastering, digital release on all major streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc.), and one (1) vinyl pressing of the finished single. Must be redeemed within 12 months of the awards announcement. Requires the winner to be a recording artist or have an identified artist/band to record.
When do I have to pick my prize? Winners with a choice of prizes must select within 30 days of notification. In-person production prizes (recording sessions, filmed productions) must be redeemed within 12 months of the awards announcement.
Are prizes transferable or redeemable for cash? No. Prizes are non-transferable and no cash substitution is permitted, except at the Sponsor's sole discretion.
Are prizes taxable? Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local taxes on prizes received.
RIGHTS & LEGAL
Do I keep the rights to my video? Yes. You retain full ownership of your original video. Submitting an entry does not transfer ownership to us. We do receive a non-exclusive license to screen and share your video for challenge-related promotional purposes, including at Arts Fest, on social media, and in recap materials.
What if my video features other people? You are responsible for obtaining consent from everyone who appears in your video. If your video includes anyone under 18, parental or guardian consent is required.
Which social media platforms are not affiliated with this challenge? None of them. This challenge is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Meta Platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Threads), YouTube/Google, TikTok/ByteDance, or any other social media platform.
CONTACT
I have a question that isn't answered here. Reach out at casey@spacesinbetweenproductions.com or 814-826-1082. Response times may vary. Full Official Rules are available at spacesinbetweenproductions.com/throughyourlens.