About Pens to Lens

Pens to Lens is a Champaign based K-12 student screenwriting competition for East Central Illinois run 2013-2019 by the Champaign Urbana Film Society and returned in 2024 under 40 North; kids write scripts which are then submitted to Champaign area filmmakers and designers. Designers select scripts to create posters for, and filmmakers pick their favorites to produce as actual short films. The posters and films are presented to the community in a red carpet event to honor the young writers. Students may also submit their own films to be considered for screening at the event.

Our Mission Statement:

Pens To Lens aims to educate local youth about filmmaking. Pens To Lens is a gateway to learning modern technology, classic artistic concepts, communication through writing and dialogue, and collaboration with peers and mentors. Pens To Lens provides opportunities, tools, and learning resources to the education communities of East Central Illinois and gives a voice to students of all backgrounds. Pens to Lens is a fun way for students to learn and express themselves through the medium of film.