The Missouri Humanities Council and your Truman Heartland Community Foundation provided the initial financial support for this fun community project.

“We have so many great stories to tell about the rich history of Independence. And who better to tell those stories than the people who live, work, and visit our city,” Mayor Rowland explained, “With cash prizes for the winners in each category, I hope people are encouraged to get out there and tell the world why they love Independence.”

The video contest officially opens for submissions on April 2, 2024, and will end on July 4, 2024, inviting entries in three distinct age categories: high school, college, and adults 25+. Everyone who enters will have the opportunity to compete for cash prizes (or scholarships for those under 18) totaling $2,000 for the top video in each category, alongside recognition from a distinguished jury made up of local historians, filmmakers, and community members.

In addition to celebrating the city's past, this contest seeks to address some more modern themes as well, with special award categories recognizing international submissions, stories promoting racial diversity, and videos showcasing the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the video creation. The contest will also feature a People's Choice award, allowing the public to cast their votes for their favorite videos in each age category, and an I Love Independence award, encouraging people to take their camera out and share their love for the city in 30-second video shorts.

The purpose of the "I Love Independence" video contest is to raise awareness of the city's significant historical past, encourage budding videographers to showcase their creativity and passion for local history, and connect people with the cultural landmarks they can find hiding in plain sight in and around town. It’s a fun and unique way to get involved and maybe even win a prize! To learn more about the contest and submit your video entry, visit www.iloveindependence.org.