May 13, 2022

• Coinciding with the 82^nd anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s “Blood, toil, tears, and sweat” speech we ask students from around the world to invoke the spirit of Britain’s wartime Prime Minister and record an inspirational speech of hope in response to the current global challenges.
• Entries will be judged by a panel including Churchill’s granddaughter Emma Soames.

Friday 13^th May 2022 As the world continues to face severe challenges, from the ongoing pandemic, the war in Ukraine, to climate change, the International Churchill Society is launching an exciting and inspirational worldwide competition.

Aimed at student-aged participants, the Society is asking entrants to “Inspire like Churchill” setting a challenge to mobilise the English language to stir hope and foster unity in the face of today’s adversities.

The competition will ask participants to submit a video of no more than 60 seconds. The entry should reimagine Sir Winston Churchill’s famous speech on May 13, 1940, in which he said, “I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”

The competition is aimed at students between the ages of 11 and 21 (see below to terms and conditions).

2024 International Churchill Conference

Join us for the 41st International Churchill Conference. London | October 2024

More

Entries will initially be shortlisted by a working group at The International Churchill Society and the winners will be selected by a panel of judges including Emma Soames, granddaughter of Churchill and renowned historians and authors including Candice Millard, author of Hero of the Empire: the Boer War, a Daring Escape and the Making of Winston Churchill.

There will be three winners who will earn $1,000, split equally between themselves and their school, college, or university.

Churchill’s legacy of unwavering courage and leadership in the face of great adversity has inspired so many over the past three years. Whether it be Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invoking Churchill’s spirit or everyday people telling themselves to “keep calm and carry on”, his legacy remains as relevant today as in 1940.

The Society’s mission is to educate current and future generations on Churchill and his times. This competition is designed to reach a younger audience and ask them to inspire the world during these troubling times using Churchill’s example.

International Churchill Society President Randolph Churchill said “My great-grandfather’s legacy continues to be an inspiration to people around the globe, of all generations. My family and I are so pleased to support this competition that empowers young people to invoke Churchill’s powerful oratory to address the problems we face in the 21st century.”

International Churchill Society Chairman Laurence Geller CBE adds that “The International Churchill Society’s mission is to educate current and future generations on the inspiring leadership of Sir Winston Churchill. Challenging students to use their original words to reimagine one of Churchill’s most famous speeches is an inspirational way for us to pursue our mission.”  

How do people enter?

Anyone can enter by uploading a video of no longer than 60 seconds and no larger than 200mb to our website. The competition is aimed at students between the ages of 11 and 21. If you are under 18 you must have your parent or guardian’s permission to enter. Entrants can submit as an individual or as a team of no more than three people.

Please help us reach as many people as possible by sharing the competition on social media using #ThinkChurchill. Winning entries will also be shared online.

The closing date for submissions is 12 noon [Eastern Standard Time] July 1, 2022.

The winners will be announced July 25, 2022 via the competition website.