CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — A student screenwriting and filmmaking competition is coming back for another season in 2025!

Support local youth who have teamed up with filmmakers to create some amazing films! WCIA’s Jaclyn Friedlander will serve as the host of events for the evening.

Local youth write scripts and area filmmakers pick their favorites to turn bright ideas into actual short films, with designers creating movie posters for selected projects.

The completed films and posters are presented to the community in a red-carpet event that honors talented young screenwriters.

Pens to Lens is a K-12 student screenwriting competition organized in collaboration with 40 North, Champaign Movie Makers, Champaign Urbana Design Organization (CUDO), and the Champaign Park District.