Ms - Exploring animation
Exploring Animation gives members the opportunity to design and present an original animated video. This event assesses members’ understanding and application of fundamental animation principles. It includes a pre-judged asset and a live presentation component.
Event Overview
Division: Middle School
Event Type: Team of 1, 2 or 3 members
Event Category: Pre-judged and Presentation on the state level
Event Elements: Pre-judged Asset(which is the preliminary competition) and Presentation with a Topic
Presentation Time: 3-minute set-up time, 7-minute presentation time, 3-minute question & answer time
Career Cluster Framework Connection: Digital Technology
NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Professionalism, Technology
Items Provided by Competitors: Technology and presentation items, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code
Equipment Provided by FBLA: Table
2025-2026 Topic
Design Your Own Thrilling Roller Coaster Ride!
Create an animated adventure of a roller coaster: realistic or totally wild! Show the twists, turns, and excitement from a rider’s point of view or as a fun overview of the whole ride.
Use your animation to bring the thrill to life… how fast, how high, how fun can you make it?
District
Check with your District Leader for district-specific competition information.
State
Eligibility
· FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by the District Director)
of the current school year.
· Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top ten of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top ten of an event at NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
· Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
· Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel in order to compete.
· Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
· Each competitor can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Annual Chapter Activities, Community Service Project).
· Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
· Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, prepare, and set up their presentations.
· If competitors are late for a presentation time, they may be disqualified or placed later in the schedule. The decision is solely up to the judges.
· Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted participate in the competitive event.
Recognition
· The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.
Event Administration
· This event has two parts: Pre-judged animated video(which is the preliminary competition) and final presentation
· Pre-judged Asset Details: Animated Video
o A URL linking to the animated video must be uploaded through the conference registration system by the state-specified deadline.
o The animated video must not exceed two minutes in length.
o Competitors may use any animation platform of their choice.
o All content must be original and created specifically for this competition.
o QR codes are not allowed in the project.
o Advisers or others may not assist in preparing the project. It must be created entirely by the competitor(s).
o Projects must be new, original work and may not have been submitted at any previous State Leadership Conference.
o Competitors are responsible for ensuring the video URL is accessible to judges. If the video cannot be viewed, a score of zero will be given for the pre-judged asset. Best practice note: If using a platform such as Google Drive or OneDrive, make sure sharing settings allow access to anyone with the link. If using YouTube or Vimeo, the video must be set to “Unlisted” (NOT “Private”) to ensure it is not publicly searchable but still viewable by judges.
o Projects will be judged prior to the State Leadership Conference (SLC).
o Pre-judged assets will not be returned. All submitted projects become the property of FBLA and may be published or reproduced for promotional purposes.
o Project Concept & Design: Design elements should support and enhance the concept.
o Project Execution: Demonstrate creativity, clarity, and consistency, with smooth and professional edits or transitions that enhance the overall presentation. Content should follow a logical flow.
· Final Presentation Information
o Equipment Set-up Time: 3 minutes
o Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o Question & Answer Time: 3 minutes
o Important: Time allocations are exclusive. The presentation must begin immediately after the 3-minute set-up time concludes. Time may not be shifted between segments. Competitors will not interact with judges during the set-up period.
o Based on the results of the preliminary competition, the five highest prejudged animation video scores will be selected to make an oral presentation at the State Leadership Conference. The individuals or teams selected will be notified prior to the State Leadership Conference. Only these five will participate in the presentation.
o Presentations are closed to all audience and attendee observation.
o Internet Access: Provided (Please be aware that internet access at conference venues may be unreliable. Always prepare a backup plan in case the connection is lost or does not work with your device.)
o Presentations must be delivered using one or two personal devices (laptop, tablet, mobile phone, or monitor approximately laptop-sized).
o If using two devices, one must face the judges and the other must face the presenters.
o Projectors and projector screens are not permitted, and competitors may not bring their own.
o Wireless slide advancers (e.g., presentation clickers or mice) are allowed.
o External speakers are not allowed; audio must come directly from the presenting device(s).
o Electricity will not be available.
o Non-Technology Items:
· Visual aids, samples, notes, and other physical materials related to the project may be used.
· Items may be placed on the provided table or on the judges table, if space allows.
· No items may be left with the judges following the presentation.
o Restricted Items: Animals (except authorized service animals), Food (for display only; may not be consumed by judges during the presentation), Links and QR codes (for display only; cannot be clicked or scanned by judges before, during, or after the presentation)
o Research:
· Information must be supported by credible, well-documented sources.
· Any use of copyrighted material, images, logos, or trademarks must be properly documented.
o Team Expectations:
· In team presentations, all members must actively participate in the delivery of the presentation.
o Event Specific Information:
· Video Showcase
o The pre-judged asset (video) must be played as part of your presentation.
· Presentation: The rest of the presentation time should include the following information:
o Project Planning: Explain how the idea was developed, including the steps taken to plan the project
o Project Creation: Describe the process used to build and complete the project, including how the components were assembled and the final version was produced.
o Tools and Equipment: List the programs, websites, or apps used and equipment involved, such as a microphone, tablet, or camera.
o Techniques Used: Explain the methods used to create different parts of the project, providing examples of special effects, layouts, transitions, or other techniques used to enhance clarity and creativity.
Scoring
· The preliminary pre-judged animation video score will determine the finalists.
· The final presentation score will determine the winners.
· Judges must break ties. All judges’ decisions are final.
· All judging decisions are final. Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
· FBLA meets the criteria specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act for all competitors with accommodations submitted through the conference registration system by the registration deadline.
Recording of Presentations
· No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
· Competitors in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.
Penalty Points
· Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.
National
If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla-middle-level/competitive-events/