ExpressFest: Speak it. Screen it. Slam it.

Now accepting applications for ExpressFest – an event showcasing Brightpoint students’ talents through a speech contest, student film showcase and spoken word poetry slam.

ExpressFest will be held:

Tuesday, November 12, 2025
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Brightpoint Community College
Chester Campus – Nicholas Center, Room N102
13101 Route 1
Chester, Virginia 23831

The event will be free and open to the community.

Application Process

ExpressFest is open to all current Brightpoint Community College students, including dual enrollment and concurrent enrollment students. Below are details on each contest in the event:

Speech Contest

The theme for the speech contest is, "A World of Endless Possibilities." All speeches must be centered around this theme.

Rules and criteria for speeches include:

• Delivery: extemporaneous or memorized speech.
• Speeches can be informative, persuasive, or entertaining.
• Brief notes on index cards are permitted.
• Both content and delivery are important.
• Time: 3-5 minutes.
• It is highly recommended to dress in business casual or business professional attire. Students can access the Professional Clothing Closet for this purpose. 
• Speeches must follow the VCCS policy on expressive speech. 
• Registration deadline is October 24, 2025.
• All registered students will meet with the pre-judges to review the speech contest expectations, criteria, and a draft of their speech by November 3, 2025.

Students will perform live at the event.

Student Film Showcase

All genres and styles welcome—drama, comedy, documentary, experimental—as long as you can tell your story in 5 minutes or less.

Rules and criteria for films include:

• Films must not exceed 5 minutes in length.
• Films should be “G-rated” and suitable for viewers of all ages.
• Speeches must follow the VCCS policy on expressive speech. 
• Film entries must be submitted by October 24, 2025. 
• Between October 24, 2025 and November 3, 2025, a designated judging panel will conduct a pre-screening of all submissions. No feedback will be provided during this stage. Each category will have a defined rubric to determine which participants move forward to the final round. 
• Up to three short films will be selected for showing at ExpressFest.
• When they submit their films, student must affirm that, “Brightpoint has permission to screen the film at ExpressFest, and all involved with the film are aware of it being used by the college for ExpressFest."
• Finalists will be given three minutes on the day of the event to introduce their film.

Selected finalists will be notified by November 5, 2025, and invited to present at the ExpressFest event on November 12, 2025.

Spoken Word/Poetry Slam

There is no theme for the spoken word/poetry slam content. 

• Spoken word piece can be informative, persuasive, or entertaining.
• Spoken word piece can be memorized or extemporaneous with use of notes.
• Time: 3 - 3.5 minutes. 
• Speeches must follow the VCCS policy on expressive speech. 
• Registration deadline is October 24, 2025.
• All registered students will meet with the pre-judges to review the spoken word contest expectations, criteria, and a draft of their speech by November 3, 2025.

Students will perform live at the event.

Apply Now

Judging

Judges, who are experts in the relevant academic areas, will evaluate performances using a rubric that will be shared with students upon confirmation. All entries must meet ExpressFest guidelines for length, originality, and content. 

Only films will be judged before the event; speeches and poetry will be evaluated live.

Prizes

First, second and third place winners in each category will be announced at the event. Winners will also be invited to participate in the college’s Student Awards Night, held in April. 

Questions?

Email Amanda Carpenter-Horning.