MOVIE MAP ATLAS:
GLOBAL STORYWORLD CHALLENGE
For our next Cultural Campaign, we’re inviting you to turn your city into a cinematic universe. Every street, park, library, or bus stop already holds a story—and now it’s your chance to reimagine those everyday locations as part of a movie-world.
Choose 2–5 real places that matter to you, give them cinematic identities, and assign story roles like “Safe Haven,” “Arena of Conflict,”
or “Portal of Forgotten Memories.” Then, bring them to life with narratives, visuals, moods, characters or other imaginative elements—transforming
each location into a living part of your storyworld.
Your story-map will highlight both what deserves to be celebrated in your community and what deserves to be protected or reimagined.
Together, we’ll stitch these maps into a Global Movie Map Atlas, showcasing youth reimagining their worlds across continents.
WHY THIS CAMPAIGN MATTERS
Stories shape the way we see our environment. By reimagining your city through a cinematic lens, you’re not just practicing creativity—you’re uncovering what makes your community unique, resilient, and worth celebrating.
This campaign is about more than fantasy. It’s about seeing your world differently: identifying the havens that keep your community safe, the challenges people face every day, and the portals of transformation that spark change. When these story-maps are collected together, they become a tool for awareness, advocacy, and action—amplifying youth voices and reminding leaders that our cities are living storyworlds worth protecting.
WHAT CAN YOU WIN?
Participation Benefits
All eligible entrants will have an advocacy letter drafted from their submission and shared with lawmakers and city leaders.
Letters will highlight participants’ creativity and perspectives while keeping individual names confidential, unless express written consent is
provided by the participant and, if under 18, by their parent or guardian.
Featured Entries
Selected participants will have their storyworlds showcased in our Global Movie Map Atlas,
highlighting their creativity and vision for reimagining their locations.
Grand Prize
One standout submission that goes above and beyond will receive a signature IDEALIST merch pack, as well as the opportunity to launch a small-scale creative project in your community supported by the Storyworlds Micro-Grant, along with guidance and collaboration from our team.
Shipping Eligibility: Participants are encouraged to verify that merchandise can be shipped to their location before entering, as U.S. law
and international agreements restrict shipments to certain countries under embargo or subject to trade restrictions, including–but not limited–to Afghanistan, Balkans, Belarus, Burma (Myanmar),Central African Republic, Dem. Rep. of Congo, Cuba, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Nicaragua, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine/Russia, Venezuela, and Yemen.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
The challenge is open to all creative individuals ages 14–24, anywhere in the world. We welcome submissions from diverse voices and perspectives—whether you’re mapping a small town, a big city, or a neighborhood block.
If you meet the age requirement at the time of submission and follow us on Instagram @TheIdealistProject, you’re eligible to participate.
WHEN IS THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE?
All entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Friday, November 7, 2025.
Please note that the deadline is set in Eastern Standard Time (EST). Make sure to convert to your local time so you don’t miss the submission window.
Winners and featured participants will be notified by DM and published on Friday, December 5, 2025.
THE CHALLENGE
Create a Storyworld Record and turn real places into cinematic story sets by following these steps:
1. Pick Your Landmarks
Choose 2-5 locations that matter to you:
Everyday places: Common locations in your daily life that feel familiar and accessible.
Examples of everyday places: Your favorite corner store, bus stop,
neighborhood library, hallway at school, local park, playground, or nearby café.
Major sites: Well-known or visually striking locations recognized for their history, architecture, or cultural significance.
Examples of major sites: A central city plaza, a historic bridge, a renowned museum or gallery, a civic or cultural center, a landmark stadium or theater, or any monument recognized for its history, design, or community significance.
Places of memory: Locations tied to personal experiences, family, travel, or cultural history that add meaning to your life.
Examples of places of memory: A childhood home, a grandparent’s house, a family vacation spot, a local community center, a site tied to cultural traditions, or any location that holds personal or shared memories.
2. Give Them Roles
Every great movie-world has contrast — safe havens and dangerous paths, wise guides and tough obstacles.
For each place, assign a role:
Safe Haven – a refuge, gathering spot, or place of care
Place of Challenge – where people test themselves, struggle, or grow stronger
Portal – where new journeys or transformations begin
Archive of Wisdom – a keeper of memory, culture, or guidance
Arena of Conflict – a site of tension, debate, or change
Crossroads – a meeting point where paths intersect and choices shape the future.
3. Worldbuild the Scene
a. Rename the Place
Give your location a cinematic identity
(The Arena of Unity, The Portal of Forgotten Memories).
b. Write the Story
In 2–3 sentences, describe what happens here,
who or what inhabits it, and why it matters in your storyworld.
c. Bring It to Life
Flesh out your vision using creative elements of your choice—photos, sketches, concept art,
color palettes, diagrams, 3D models, collages, character designs, moodboards, or any other medium.
The goal is to create a fully realized cinematic location that others can see, feel, and imagine.
4. Reflect on Reality
For each place, briefly note:
The Setting – What is this place in reality?
Hero’s Journey – What is your connection to the place?
Inciting Incident – Why did you choose this location?
For at least one place, thoroughly note:
Opening Scene – What really happens here in everyday life?
Who shows up, what do they do, what does it feel like?Why This Set Matters – Why is this place vital to the “story” of your community?
What role does it play that would be lost without it?
Why is it important to protect, celebrate, or reimagine it?Rising Conflict – What’s threatening this space (funding cuts, redevelopment,
neglect, etc.) and what would disappear if it were gone?Director’s Note – If you could make one request to city leaders to help reimagine this space, what would it be?
5. Submit to IDEALIST
Enter for a chance to have your storyworld mapped into the Global Movie Map Atlas alongside submissions from youth worldwide.
STORYWORLD MICRO-GRANT PITCH (OPTIONAL)
Want to be considered for our Storyworld Micro-Grant of up to $250.00 USD?
Want to be considered for our Storyworld Micro-Grant of up to $250 USD? Add a short pitch (5–6 sentences) describing
how you’d use it to impactfully reimagine your chosen location.
For full details, eligibility requirements, and guidelines, please visit the Storyworlds Micro-Grant page on our website.
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR STORYWORLD
When submitting your storyworld, you can include text and visual elements to bring your storyworlds to life. Some ideas for creative additions include:
Photos – real-life images of the places that inspire your storyworld
Maps – geographic placement, context, or surroundings of the location
Diagrams & Schematics – structural layout or design of the location
Sketches – hand-drawn representations of the location
3D Renders – digital or physical representations of the location
Color Palettes – hues and tones that define your storyworld
Moodboards – visual references, textures, and inspirations
Concept Art – fully imagined scenes or reinterpretations
Character Designs – people or creatures who inhabit your storyworld
Keep in mind that these are just starting points—you’re free to go beyond this list or mix and match in your own way, and your submission can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Ultimately, the goal is to help others see, feel, and imagine your storyworld exactly as you envision it.
NEED INSPIRATION?
Look out for the release of Designing Impact: The Storyworld Creation Playbook, featuring examples and guidance on how
participants can bring their locations to life through creative visuals, cinematic roles, and storytelling.
Try these prompts as inspiration when building your storyworld:
If this place had a soundtrack, what would it be?
What would it look like 50 years ago—or 50 years from now?
Imagine a character who inhabits or guards this place.
How would you rename your school hallway, your favorite park, or your corner store if it belonged in a movie?
Simple, creative, and fun—your map doesn’t need to be complicated. Each cinematic vision adds to a worldwide atlas that shows how youth are turning their communities into storyworlds.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Submissions will be reviewed based on the following:
Concept Clarity – How clearly the storyworld, locations, and narrative are communicated.
Creativity – Originality and imagination in reimagining your spaces.
Demonstrated Need – Evidence that the chosen locations or projects are important to the community
and would benefit from protection, celebration, or reimagination.Impact Potential – The ability of the submission to highlight meaningful places and inspire awareness or conversation.
Feasibility – Whether the ideas can realistically be executed, especially for grant-supported projects.
WHATS NOT ALLOWED?
Each applicant may only submit one entry.
Submissions containing inappropriate or offensive content (nudity, violence, hate speech, etc.) will be disqualified.
AI-generated or AI-enhanced submissions will not be accepted.
All writing, images, or artwork must be created by you or copyright-free.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Bringing your storyworld to life can feel overwhelming, but we’ve gathered a collection of free resources to make it easier and more inspiring. From image libraries and sketching tools to creative guides and worldbuilding references, these sites will provide the assets and ideas you need to craft a standout map.
Looking for images to supplement your map?
Try no-cost, copyright-free image libraries such as Unsplash, Pexels, or Pixabay. Each offers a massive library of high-resolution images you can use for personal or creative projects.
Looking for fonts or typographic inspiration?
Check out free font libraries like Google Fonts, Dafont, or FontSquirrel. Whether you want a bold cinematic style or a subtle, modern look, these platforms provide high-quality, copyright-free options to enhance your visuals.
Need an easy way to create or enhance visuals?
Free design tools such as Canva, Photopea, or GIMP let you manipulate images, add text, and create collages, diagrams, or concept art. Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, these platforms make it simple to bring your storyworld to life.
CONTEST TERMS & GUIDELINES
Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), Friday, November 7, 2025
No cost to enter.
Entrants must follow IDEALIST on Instagram (@TheIdealistProject) to be eligible for participation in the contest.
Entries must include complete Storyworld Record and visual elements—such as photos, sketches, collages, diagrams, concept art, or other creative media.
Each visual element must be uploaded as its own file, with all files submitted together within a single submission.
Each participant may only submit one entry.
All participants must meet the minimum age requirement of 14–24 years. Submissions will only be considered if the contestant can provide proof of age upon request.
If a person is recognizable in a photo, you must be able to provide a model release from the individual, or from the individual’s parents or guardian if the subject is a minor, upon request by IDEALIST.
Shortlisted images may be required in high-quality PNG format.
Photos must be taken in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws.
Entries must comply with all local laws. Contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law.
By participating, you consent to IDEALIST collecting your name and social media account(s) for communication regarding the contest. See our privacy policy for details.
This contest is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram, Meta, Twitter, TikTok, any government agency, political party, or elected official. It is fully sponsored by IDEALIST and its contributing partner networks, and IDEALIST and entrants release these platforms and entities from any liability related to this contest.
By participating, entrants agree that IDEALIST may use submitted materials at its discretion for display, promotion, or compilation purposes, including integrating elements from multiple submissions to create a featured storyworld.
By participating, entrants agree that IDEALIST may draft and deliver an advocacy letter to lawmakers and city leaders derived from their submission. Entrants grant IDEALIST permission to use elements of their submission (including text, visuals, or storyworld concepts) for this purpose. Entrants acknowledge that the information they provide is accurate to the best of their knowledge and suitable for advocacy purposes. Individual names will remain confidential unless express written consent is provided by the entrant and, if under 18, by a parent or guardian. IDEALIST is not responsible for any outcomes, responses, or actions resulting from the delivery of advocacy letters, which are facilitated solely by IDEALIST and do not imply endorsement, partnership, or responsibility by any other entity.
By participating, entrants agree to release and hold IDEALIST harmless from any liability, claims, or damages arising from their participation, including but not limited to issues related to submission, copyright, or any other disputes.
Winners and featured participants will be notified via DM and published on Friday, December 5, 2025.
HOW TO SUBMIT
Follow us on Instagram @TheIdealistProject
Review full eligibility and guidelines at TheIdealistProject.com
Gather and create your storyworld elements
Submit your entry via the submission form belowl (keep elements as separate files)
Optional: Share your entry on social media with #THEIDEALISTPROJECT
Have questions?
Email us at Contact@TheIdealistProject.com or send a DM on Instagram @TheIdealistProject. Reach out anytime for guidance or support.