Vlogstar Challenge 2019: Annual competition that turns young Londoners into YouTubers reaches its fourth year

It’s perhaps unsurprising that in the current social media-driven age that nearly a third of 14-24 year olds (28 per cent) want to pursue careers as online content creators.

According to a recent study commissioned by VidCon London, becoming a YouTuber as a career choice ranked higher above jobs as a nurse (24 per cent), actor (26 per cent) or journalist (22 per cent).

One initiative making this a reality for young Londoners is the annual Vlogstar Challenge. The yearly competition is run by the charity Media Trust in partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation. It is supported by YouTube and the Evening Standard as its official media partner and aims to inspire a new generation of media influencers

Now in its fourth year, the Vlogstar Challenge sees the charity Media Trust hold free vlogging workshops at Google’s Academy London in Victoria for 1,500 16-25 year olds across London and Essex, where they learn how to shoot, edit and produce their own videos, as well as how to build an audience on their own YouTube channel. Everyone that attends a workshop is invited to submit a video to the annual competition.

• Read more

YouTube and Derek Blasberg launch new /Fashion content channel

All the entries have finally been narrowed down to just 15, with the winner set to be announced at the live final this Thursday at London’s YouTube Space. They have their work cut out for them to impress the ambassadors and judges which includes body positivity influencer and YouTuber Grace F Victory, singer Emeli Sandé and actor Ashley Waters, who stars in Netflix’s Top Boy. Two former finalists from last year’s competition will also sit on the judging panel, David Craig and Raquel Taylor.

Speaking about this year’s competition, Sandé said: “I'm a huge believer in championing young, new voices. It's really important for young people to have a voice which can be used to make public and personal positive change.

“I meet so many young people today who aspire to have a career as a YouTube internet star and the Vlogstar Challenge competition helps them start this incredible journey by training them in digital and public speaking skills.”

“Being young can be challenging in so many different ways,” added Waters. “Making music and performing kept me focused, now luckily young Londoners have an opportunity to learn how to have their voices heard to make positive content and how to use filming skills and that's a double whammy and a gift. I've seen some of this year’s vlogs and I can see already how the finalists are using their voices and filming skills to make positive change.”

• Read more

#WomenToWatch: YouTube is empowering women online

The winner of the 2019 edition will receive £2,000 for their chosen non-profit organisation, £500 worth of production equipment, mentoring from YouTube’s experts to take their channel to the next level as well as work experience with Media Trust’s corporate partners.

As a charity, Media Trust works in partnership with the media and creative industry to give marginalised groups and young people a stronger voice. Vlogstar Challenge is just one of it’s unique programmes; it also runs an annual Women’s Voices event on International Women’s Day which brings together over 130 media and creative industry volunteers to share their expertise with 30 charities that support, campaign and advocate for women and girls.

Su-Mei Thompson, Media Trust’s CEO, told the Standard: "Media Trust is all about giving young people particularly from diverse backgrounds a stronger voice. This programme gives them the skills and opportunity to shine a light on the communities they come from and the causes they care about. At a time when so much online content reflects angry, frustrated and intolerant attitudes, Vlogstar also encourages young people to think about how positivity is more powerful and how they can play a part in bringing about greater cohesion not division."

Read more

Read more YouTube and Derek Blasberg launch new /Fashion content channel