We are thrilled to announce the winning student films from the 2025-2026 World of 8 Billion international student video contest. A big round of applause to the impressive teen filmmakers from around the globe!
These students tackled some of our biggest global challenges in one-minute videos packed with research, storytelling, and solutions. The challenges all intersect with population growth:
- Economics: Wealth distribution, economic development and growth, and government influence can all impact how people use limited resources. Today’s economic systems must be a part of sustainability and equality conversations, especially as populations grow.
- Energy: Most energy comes from burning fossil fuels, causing pollution, climate change, and habitat loss. As human numbers increase, and we work to overcome energy poverty, how can we sustainably power the planet?
- Wetlands: Wetlands are diverse, water-saturated ecosystems that have long been destroyed, which is why protecting them is essential today. From urbanization to climate change, human impacts are immense, but so is the will of those who want to make a difference.
The Student Winners
Eighteen videos took home the top prizes – global recognition and cash awards. Nearly 5,000 students from 63 countries and 45 U.S. states and territories created videos for the competition.
Linked below are the first-place videos in the World of 8 Billion student competition. After you’re inspired by these creative films, head over to the contest website to watch all of the winning videos and read about the student filmmakers behind these spectacular creations.
High School – 1st Place Student Videos
Earth is Not Your Shopping Cart by Kaitlyn Zhang of King City, ON (Economics)
Geothermal Energy: an Infinite Resource by Kathy Yang of West Windsor, NJ (Energy)
Settling, For a Pond! by Matty Perkins and Teagan Vanoni of Camarillo, CA (Wetlands)
Middle School – 1st Place Student Videos
Hanging by a Thread by Katherine Li of Westport, CT (Economics)
Energy Access by Kiera Sala of Aberdeen, Hong Kong (Energy)
Restoring the World Slowly by Sanjit Kodumuri of Frisco, TX (Wetlands)
World of 8 Billion Student Video Contest
The World of 8 Billion student contest has become a favorite classroom assignment for teachers in a wide range of subjects. It’s a student-centered project – students can choose topics they’re passionate about and independently create their powerful messaging and visuals – and also allows for team building and collaboration. The contest will be back with new topics for the 2026-2027 school year in early September.
Teachers: Sign up to receive updates so you and your students can participate next year!