Video Submissions in Awards & Competitions: Best Practices for Reviewers and Admins

Video has become one of the most popular formats for online contest submissions from awards and pitch competitions to scholarships and innovation challenges. Video helps applicants tell richer stories, but it also adds new considerations for reviewers and administrators.

What are best practices for video submissions in awards and competitions?
Best practices include setting clear video requirements, aligning videos to scoring criteria, standardizing the review experience, reducing bias, and using video submission software that keeps reviewers and admins working in one place.

When these elements are planned upfront, video enhances your program instead of slowing it down.

Why Video Submissions Need a Different Approach

Unlike written submissions, video entries:

• Take more time to review
  
  

• Vary widely in length and production quality
  
  

• Require clear guidance for consistent scoring
  
  

• Can introduce bias if not structured carefully
  
  

ThatÕs why video submissions work best when supported by clear rules and the right platform.

What Should Admins Consider When Accepting Video Submissions?

1. Set Clear Video Requirements Upfront

Many issues start before submissions even open.

Admins should clearly define:

• Maximum video length
  
  

• Accepted formats or hosting options
  
  

• Whether videos must be edited or unedited
  
  

• What reviewers should focus on while watching
  
  

Clear expectations reduce confusion for applicants and reviewers alike.

2. Align Video Prompts to Judging Criteria

Video should support evaluation, not distract from it.

Best practice is to:

• Tie video prompts directly to scoring criteria
  
  

• Explain what the video is meant to demonstrate (impact, skills, storytelling, etc.)
  
  

• Avoid open-ended prompts with no evaluation framework
  
  

When criteria are clear, reviewers watch with purpose.

3. Standardize the Review Experience

Without structure, video reviews quickly become inconsistent.

Admins should ensure:

• All reviewers access videos the same way
  
  

• Videos appear alongside scoring rubrics
  
  

• Reviewers donÕt need to switch between tools or links
  
  

Consistency protects fairness and speeds up reviews.

How Should Reviewers Evaluate Video Submissions Fairly?

4. Keep Reviews Focused and Efficient

Watching video can be time-consuming without guidance.

Reviewers benefit from:

• Clear scoring criteria tied to the video
  
  

• Defined scoring scales
  
  

• The ability to pause, resume, and track progress
  
  

This helps reviewers manage time without rushing decisions.

5. Reduce Bias in Video Reviews

Video can unintentionally introduce bias based on presentation style or production quality.

Programs should:

• Score content, not polish
  
  

• Clearly state that production value should not affect scoring
  
  

• Use blind or partially blinded reviews when appropriate
  
  

Structure helps keep evaluations fair and defensible.

Common Mistakes to Avoid With Video Submissions

Programs often run into trouble when:

• Video length isnÕt capped
  
  

• Scoring criteria donÕt match the video prompt
  
  

• Videos live outside the review workflow
  
  

• Reviewers receive little guidance
  
  

These issues slow reviews and reduce consistency across panels.

What Should You Look for in Video Submission Software?

Purpose-built video submission software supports awards and competitions by:

• Accepting video uploads or links within applications
  
  

• Displaying videos next to scoring criteria
  
  

• Keeping reviewers focused in one place
  
  

• Tracking review progress and completion
  
  

• Maintaining a clear record of evaluations
  
  

This creates a better experience for both reviewers and admins.

Where RQ Platform Fits In

A platform like RQ Platform supports video-based online contest submissions by:

• Allowing structured video submissions within applications
  
  

• Keeping videos connected to review rubrics
  
  

• Supporting consistent reviewer workflows
  
  

• Reducing manual follow-ups and email back-and-forth
  
  

• Creating repeatable, fair review experiences
  
  

The result: video adds depth to your program without adding complexity to day-to-day work.

FAQ: Video Submissions in Awards & Competitions

Do video submissions take longer to review than written ones?
Yes, which is why clear time limits and focused criteria are essential.

Should video quality affect scoring?
No. Programs should clearly state that content matters more than production value.

WhatÕs an ideal video length for contests?
Most programs find 2Ð5 minutes balances depth with reviewer time constraints.

Final Takeaway

Video submissions can strengthen awards and competitions when theyÕre designed with intention. Clear requirements, aligned scoring, and the right video submission software ensure video reviews stay fair, efficient, and scalable.

__ Book a demo to see how RQ Platform supports video submissions from application to final decision.