Mobile
Journalism
(MoJo): Digital Storytelling Challenge
Mobile Journalism
(MoJo): Digital Storytelling Challenge
Mobile Journalism (MoJo): Digital Storytelling Challenge is a digital storytelling competition that requires participants to produce a short video using a mobile device. Participants are required to creatively present stories related to language, culture, heritage, identity, or community through engaging and meaningful digital content. The competition provides a platform for participants to express stories creatively through mobile journalism and digital media.
This competition aims to:
foster appreciation for linguistic and cultural diversity;
encourage creativity and innovation in digital storytelling; and
provide a platform for participants to showcase their storytelling, communication, and digital media skills.
a. SDG 4: Quality Education
Promoting communication, creativity, digital literacy, and storytelling skills.
b. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Encouraging appreciation of diverse languages, cultures, identities, and community experiences.
c. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Promoting awareness and appreciation of cultural heritage, community stories, and local identities.
Online (Video Submission)
TikTok
1:00–1:30 minutes
Competition Guidelines
These guidelines are specific to the Mobile Journalism (MoJo): Digital Storytelling Challenge competition and should be read together with the General Guidelines of the Language and Cultural Carnival LCC 2026.
a. The competition is open to participants according to the participation categories specified for LCC 2026.
b. Participants must participate as a group of three (3) to five (5) participants.
c. Each group must have a unique team name, which must be provided in the official Entry Form and used consistently for the corresponding entry.
a. Participants shall produce one (1) short digital storytelling video using a mobile device about a real story, experience, event, practice, issue, or perspective related to language, culture, heritage, identity, or community.
b. Participants may explore topics such as:
c. The video shall demonstrate how the chosen aspect of language, culture, heritage, identity, or community is expressed, experienced, preserved, shared, or transformed in everyday life.
d. The video must:
• use at least one (1) language permitted under the LCC Language Policy. Participants may use more than one permitted language where appropriate to the story and context;
• feature at least one (1) participant as a presenter, narrator, interviewee, or main character;
• use appropriate storytelling techniques, such as narration, interviews, dialogue, visuals, or other suitable techniques;
• demonstrate a clear beginning, development, and conclusion, with a coherent story and message; and
• contain original content produced by the participants. Any supporting materials used, including music, images, or additional footage, must comply with applicable copyright requirements.
*Marks may be deducted for videos that do not comply with the specified duration.*
Submission of Entries
Participants must:
• record and edit the video using a mobile device;
• upload the video to TikTok with the Public setting enabled;
• include the following information in the TikTok caption:
• title or theme of the video; and
• a brief summary of the story or message;
• include the official hashtags #UMPSALCC2026 and #UMPSALCCMoJo2026 in the video caption;
• submit the TikTok link through the official entry form;
• submit the final script used in the video in PDF format. If the script or video content is in a language other than Malay or English, participants must include a brief translation in Malay or English in the same document. The file must be named according to the following format:
(For “Category”, use the applicable category: Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary.)
Example: Primary_MoJo_SK Gambang_The Storytellers
• keep a copy of the submission confirmation automatically sent to the registered email address as proof of participation.
The submitted video must:
• be recorded in vertical format (9:16);
• have clear video and audio quality suitable for evaluation;
• clearly show the participants and relevant visual content; and
• remain publicly accessible on TikTok with the Public setting enabled until the competition has concluded.
Judging Criteria
Participants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Content and Storytelling (30 marks)
The extent to which participants develop and present a clear, relevant, coherent, and meaningful digital story. This includes the relevance of the chosen topic, depth of content, story structure, clarity of message, and effective presentation of the chosen aspect of language, culture, heritage, identity, or community.
Creativity and Originality (25 marks)
The extent to which participants demonstrate originality and creativity in developing and presenting the digital story. This includes the uniqueness of the concept, creative interpretation of the chosen topic, visual and storytelling approaches, and the overall originality of the video.
Language Use and Communication (20 marks)
The effectiveness of participants' use of the language(s) selected for the video to communicate the story, message, and meaning. This includes pronunciation, accuracy, clarity, fluency, vocabulary, appropriateness, and effective integration of the language(s) within the story.
Video Production and Technical Quality (15 marks)
The quality and effectiveness of the video production in supporting the digital story. This includes video and audio clarity, framing, visual presentation, editing, transitions, and the effective use of mobile journalism techniques.
Audience Engagement and Impact (10 marks)
The ability of the video to capture and sustain audience attention and communicate a meaningful message. This includes storytelling appeal, emotional or intellectual connection, relevance to the audience, and the overall impact of the video.
Submission
Deadline:
by 11:59 p.m.
Note: Participants are required to ensure that all required information and materials are complete before submitting their entries.