This Sunday at the 2019 Academy Awards, National Geographic’s Free Solo took home the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature and continued it’s astounding ascent as one of the most successful documentaries of all time. The film is a stunning portrait of free climber Alex Honnold as he becomes the first and only person to climb the vertical cliff face of Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan... without a rope. The story is an edge-of-your seat thriller and a testament to the human spirit, but it is also the perfect reflection of everything that National Geographic stands for. 

To celebrate this massive accomplishment, National Geographic is looking for a clever concept that can introduce more people to this incredible film and highlight National Geographic’s place as the singular destination for bold and fearless stories like this. 

This is NOT about creating new commercials for the film, and while videos can be a powerful avenue to extend this story, you should also think about things like live events and out-of-the-box stunts, big public displays, or even something like a brilliant tagline that can be used to drive a campaign of related content. National Geographic is completely open, so think about really unique ways that this film, the climb, or the outdoors can create an interesting dialogue between people. 

Whatever it is, we want viewers, participants, and passersby to feel the majesty of Honnold’s achievement, and to see that National Geographic will keep you on the edge of your seat, with stories about risk taking, exploration, and the people that take humanity beyond the limits of what we think we know about this world. Go big. Be fearless. 

Check out more details below...

The goal of this project is to generate intelligent and innovative concepts that build on the success of National Geographic’s Free Solo. Your Concepts should consider the voice and brand of National Geographic, but also, contextualize it within the success of the documentary. National Geographic is completely open as to what this actually looks like, but remember, it’s more than a promotion or TV commercial.

--Tone: Bold, clever, high-impact, the kind of content that inspires more conversation.

This Project will be worth a total of $1,250 and consist of one Phase: a Concept Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: CONCEPT – Submit your Free Solo Concept in 250 characters or less. Remember, a Concept is not a detailed script; it is a spark of inspiration, or a distillation of what can happen in a video, event, activation, display, or campaign.  As always, Concepts should be clever and engaging. 

The winning Concept creators will receive $250 each upon submitting a Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment.

1. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.

2. BY SUBMITTING AN ENTRY, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TONGAL OR ITS ASSIGNEES – SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR VIDEO HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.

3. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

4. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

5. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.

6. Limit 5 submissions per member.

7. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or old. 

8. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest at their discretion.

9. Winners must submit the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment.

10. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.