GRADflix

• Win prizes: You'll have the chance to win a monetary prize up to $1000, a movie night out package, and future ambassador opportunities.

• No previous experience needed: Tons of previous competitors had no previous video making experience prior to GRADflix. Making a video may be easier than you think! 

• Learn a new skill: Use digital narrative to explain a complex idea and develop your "elevator pitch" while doing so.

• Expand your network: A research video enhances your online presence, making it easier to share on LinkedIn or your resume. The GRADflix showcase also offers opportunities to network with students, judges, and faculty.

• Broaden your communication skills: Improve your research communication while learning to make your work accessible to non-specialists.

• Gain greater exposure for your research: Videos are an accessible, easy-to-share format for telling your research story.  

• Apply the skills you learn to your teaching: Video is an increasingly popular teaching tool, and this competition helps you develop skills that can be applied in the classroom.

• Enter more competitions: Your video could qualify for other competitions, such as the SSHRC Storytellers, depending on your field and funding.

Looking for more insight? Hear directly from previous GRADflix finalists.

To be eligible to participate in GRADflix, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a University of Waterloo graduate student registered in a research-based program (master’s MRP, master’s thesis, PhD) or a program with a substantial research component at the time of the competition. Check the list of eligible programs to confirm.
• If you have completed all degree requirements, but your degree has not yet been conferred, you are still eligible to participate.
• If you are selected as a finalist, you must allow your video to be made public and provide a photo and short biography, which will also be made public.
• By submitting your video, you confirm that it is your original work and that you hold all necessary rights to the content.
• You must attend the in-person showcase to be eligible to win a prize, or arrange for a delegate to accept the prize on your behalf. If you cannot attend or arrange a delegate, you must work with Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) to ensure a department or faculty representative can accept the prize for you.
• If you were a previous finalist who did not win first prize, you may compete again if your new video submission is materially different from your previous entry (as determined by GSPA). If you’re unsure, contact gradexperience@uwaterloo.ca for guidance.

Format & length

• Must be 60 seconds or less.

• May be horizontal (best for YouTube) or vertical (best for Instagram).

• Must show movement (e.g., slide transitions, zoom, or a subject moving on video).

• Must include sound (e.g., voiceover, sound effects, or music).

Content

• Must focus on research from your current graduate program at the University of Waterloo (e.g., your thesis).

• Must include embedded English subtitles in Arial, Roboto Medium, or a similar font, size 28 or larger. See the Creating your GRADflix video web page for easy how-to steps.

Copyright & intellectual property

• Ensure you are using third-party content properly. For support, see resources from the University of Waterloo’s Copyright and Licensing Librarian, Lauren Byl.

• Be aware that abstracts, oral descriptions, slides, pictures, and videos can constitute public disclosure and may affect intellectual property rights or patentability. If this may be a concern, consult your supervisor, the Office of Research, or the Intellectual Property website.

• Your video must not infringe on or violate any laws or third-party rights (e.g., copyright, trademark, privacy, or contract rights) and must not contain defamatory or unlawful material.

Generative AI use

• Any use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) must be properly acknowledged and cited.

• Review the GenAI guidance for graduate students and supervisors web page as a resource.

Communication (50%)

Your ability to communicate your research effectively and efficiently to a general audience through language and visuals. A strong video will demonstrate:

• Ability to explain complex ideas to a non-specialist audience
• Well-designed script with clear language and terminology
• Good pacing and sequencing of information (i.e., easy to follow)
• Audio and visuals that add information, clarify ideas, or complement the message
• Clear explanation of contribution(s) to research/scholarship

Note: The GRADflix competition will be judged in English. For videos that include a language other than English, judges will base their assessment on the English captioning provided with the video. 

Creativity (30%)

Your ability to present your research in a unique and thoughtful way. A strong video will demonstrate:

• Creative use of (limited) time
• Novel and interesting presentation of information
• Engaging format that captures audience interest

Technical quality (20%)

Your ability to produce a video with quality visual and audio components. A strong video will demonstrate:

• High quality sound and images
• Integration of appealing audio/visual elements

Note: By submitting your video, you agree that all sounds, images, information, etc. are cited or credited in the video, as required. See submission requirements and instructions for further information.

1) Send your video

• Save your file as an MP4.

• Submit it via Sendit to gradexperience@uwaterloo.ca by February 10, 2026.

2) Complete the participant information form

• Submit the participant information form by February 10, 2026

• You’ll be asked to provide:

  • Preferred name as it should appear on the web page if you are a finalist

  • Pronouns

  • Supervisor name(s)

  • Short biography of about 60–100 words; may include past degrees, research area or interests, current program, research lab(s), interests or hobbies outside research

  • High-quality portrait or headshot

  • Contact information to be listed with your video

  • Availability to attend the in-person showcase on March 10, 2026, or your willingness to coordinate with Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) to arrange a delegate if you’re selected as a finalist

If you have any questions about submission requirements, please email gradexperience@uwaterloo.ca.