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    Competition

    Storytelling

    by Future Problem Solving Program International

    Create and perform an original five-minute futuristic story, combining topic research, creative writing and confident oral delivery.

    Last verified: 3 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
    Storytelling

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    Futuristic Storytelling Competition at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Open now

    Eligibility

    Individual competitors

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 9-18

    Location / Region

    Regional or virtual

    Cost

    $45 standard; $65 premium

    Prize highlight

    World Finals invitation

    Entry format

    Five-minute oral performance

    Deadline

    18 March 2027

    Save deadline

    Futuristic Storytelling Competition summary

    Students research one annual real-world topic, imagine its consequences 20-30 years ahead and create an original short story told as though that future is already present.

    The entry is an individual oral performance. Regional competitions may run live, while virtual routes use a continuous, unedited video.

    It particularly suits students who enjoy creative writing, public speaking and building characters without having to submit a fully written story.

    What is Storytelling?

    Storytelling is Future Problem Solving Program International’s competition for original oral narratives. Students choose an annual real-world topic, research it and imagine a related future set 20-30 years ahead.

    Each competitor develops a short story and performs it naturally rather than reading a full written script. Competitions may be live or virtual, and trained evaluators use a rubric to provide scores and learner-focused feedback.

    Why Succeed highlights Futuristic Storytelling Competition

    • It combines real-world research with creative writing and oral communication.

    • The five-minute format creates a focused, achievable performance challenge.

    • Students receive rubric-based feedback from trained evaluators.

    • Live and virtual routes make participation possible across different regions.

    • Strong regional performances can progress to an international in-person final.

    Who is Futuristic Storytelling Competition for?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy researching contemporary issues, inventing plausible futures and holding an audience through spoken storytelling.

    Not ideal if

    You want a team event, a conventional written-story submission or a performance built around props, costumes and theatrical movement.

    Is Futuristic Storytelling Competition worth it?

    Yes, for a student who wants one project to develop research, imagination and speaking confidence. The time limit encourages disciplined editing, while evaluator feedback gives the work a clearer learning purpose than a performance completed only for school.

    The limitation is that participation depends on an adult coach and the relevant affiliate route. Progression is selective, and students reaching the in-person World Finals face separate attendance and travel costs.

    How much preparation does Futuristic Storytelling Competition need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high.

    Best started

    Begin in autumn, several months before the March entry deadline.

    Main challenge

    Making a researched future feel vivid within five minutes.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose one annual topic and complete enough background reading to identify credible future trends.

    • Plan the central character, conflict and positive resolution before drafting the narrative.

    • Rehearse aloud early, cutting anything that prevents a complete performance within five minutes.

    • Record practice runs to review clarity, pacing, camera framing and distracting movement.

    Useful if

    You want to strengthen both writing and public speaking.

    What do students do on Futuristic Storytelling Competition?

    You turn research about an annual issue into a plausible future-set narrative, then refine it for a concise oral performance. The work moves from topic selection through story design, rehearsal and live or video delivery.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Choose one of the four annual competition topics.

    2. 2

      Research the issue and identify relevant future trends.

    3. 3

      Set an original story 20-30 years in the future.

    4. 4

      Develop characters, conflict, plot and a creative resolution.

    5. 5

      Rehearse until the full story fits within five minutes.

    6. 6

      Perform live or submit a continuous, unedited recording.

    Futuristic Storytelling Competition dates and deadlines

    Registration opens

    Early August 2026

    Open Affiliate registration

    Date not confirmed

    Coach training

    24 September 2026

    Creative Writing and Storytelling, 9:00 AM ET

    Upcoming

    Premium draft due

    10 December 2026

    Optional earlier-feedback route

    Upcoming

    Storytelling entry due

    18 March 2027

    Open Affiliate finals submission

    Upcoming
    Save deadline

    World Finals registration

    1 May 2027

    For invited qualifiers

    Upcoming

    World Finals

    9-13 June 2027

    Indiana University Bloomington

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Grades 4-12, approximately ages 9-18

    • Junior: Grades 4-6

    • Middle: Grades 7-9

    • Senior: Grades 10-12

    • Individual entry with one student author

    • Adult coach or liaison required

    • English-language materials, evaluation and submissions

    • Open Affiliate where suitable local provision is unavailable

    How much does Futuristic Storytelling Competition cost?

    Standard entry

    $45 — Per Open Affiliate student

    Potential funding / awards

    • Premium entry: $65 — Per student, including draft feedback
    • New coach: $50 — Open Affiliate coach registration
    • Returning coach: $40 — Open Affiliate coach registration

    What's included

    Competition materials, Student evaluation and feedback, Coach training and year-long support, Premium entry includes draft feedback

    How to enter Futuristic Storytelling Competition

    1. 1

      Find the appropriate regional affiliate for your location.

    2. 2

      Use the Open Affiliate if Storytelling is unavailable locally.

    3. 3

      Ask an adult to act as coach and primary contact.

    4. 4

      The adult registers as a coach when registration opens.

    5. 5

      Follow the instructions received to register the student.

    6. 6

      Prepare and submit the performance by the affiliate deadline.

    Save this competition in Succeed, keep the deadline visible, and track your progress before you submit.

    Start your entry checklist

    Competition prompts

    Choose one question from your selected subject area. Succeed shows a small preview here, but always check the current competition instructions before writing.

    Q1.In the digital dark age, how might we prioritize data to save and reduce the effects of information loss in the future?

    Submission requirements

    Requirements can vary by regional affiliate; these are the published Open Affiliate-aligned performance rules.

    • Original work by one student author

    • Recognisable link to one annual topic

    • Future setting 20-30 years ahead

    • Future narrated as present reality

    • Maximum five-minute performance

    • Up to ten 4×6-inch or A6 cue cards

    • No props, costumes, makeup or multimedia

    • No identifying school or affiliate details

    • Continuous, unedited video for virtual submission

    • Constant head-and-shoulders or full-body framing

    Prizes and recognition

    Affiliate champion

    Regional affiliate champions are invited to the International Conference World Finals.

    Evaluator feedback

    Registered competitors receive rubric-based scores and learner-focused feedback.

    World Finals recognition

    Student winners are recognised by programme and division.

    What this may help with

    Demonstrating research, creative communication and sustained preparation.

    What it does not guarantee

    A World Finals place, award or university admissions advantage.

    Judging criteria

    • Original voice
    • Character development
    • Futuristic thinking
    • Creative resolution of story problems
    • Storytelling technique
    • Development of story
    • Clear relationship to topic research

    The complete rubric weighting is not published in the reviewed competition information.

    How to stand out

    1. Use specific research trends so the future feels plausible rather than decorative.
    2. Give the central character a clear goal, difficult choice and meaningful change.
    3. Build a positive or constructive response without forcing an unrealistically perfect ending.
    4. Write for the ear, using natural rhythm and vivid language that works aloud.
    5. Rehearse to finish comfortably before five minutes rather than racing the ending.
    6. Use restrained gestures and steady framing so attention remains on the narrative.

    Futuristic Storytelling Competition FAQs

    Students create an original narrative linked recognisably to one annual competition topic. It must be set 20-30 years in the future and told as though that future is the present.

    No. The central entry is an oral performance, and students are encouraged to tell the story naturally instead of writing and reading it in full.

    No. Storytelling is an individual event, and each story must have one student author.

    It is not required. However, familiarity with the process may help a student think about the future and organise a character-centred storyline.

    Coaches may teach storytelling, listen, ask questions and offer general improvement suggestions. The story and performance must remain original and fully student-created.

    Automated writing tools, including AI, should be limited to sparking ideas. The student must be the sole creator of the story and performance.

    Slight movement and hand gestures are allowed, but elaborate acting is not. Props, costumes, theatrical makeup and multimedia presentations are prohibited.

    The performance must be recorded continuously without cuts, edits or camera movement. The camera should maintain a constant head-and-shoulders or full-body view.

    Alternatives to Futuristic Storytelling Competition

    Compare these options if you prefer written creative work, science communication or a different spoken-word format.

    Alternatives to Futuristic Storytelling Competition

    Creative Writing

    Create a futuristic story from a competition topic

    Creative Writing
    Deadline: Not announced
    Free
    Eligibility not listed

    Best for

    Students who prefer crafting a written narrative

    View details

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • [IC 2026] What does it cost to attend the International Conference? - Future Problem Solving Resource Library
    • 12 storytelling tips dos and don'ts - Future Problem Solving Resource Library
    • Quick Start Guide: Storytelling - Future Problem Solving Resource Library
    • Open Affiliate | Future Problem Solving
    • FPS - Promotional Fact Sheets 2025-2026
    • International Conference | Future Problem Solving
    • Future Problem Solving | Find FPS Near Me
    • Storytelling | Future Problem Solving

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 3 Aug 2026)

    • Official programme page checked

    • Current topics verified

    • Entry deadline checked

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Fees cross-checked

    • Performance rules reviewed

    • World Finals route verified

    How Succeed uses this information

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