LAND O’ LAKES — Fiore Smetana and Dominic Bellino are award-winning filmmakers. They’re also just in seventh grade.

It may have been a project for their social studies class, but the two Rushe Middle students’ film — “The Civil Rights Movement – A Journey to Equality: An Ever-going Fight” — won honorable mention in C-SPAN’s annual StudentCam documentary competition. The competition asked the contestants to “Explore the American Story through the Declaration of Independence” in honor of “America’s 250th Anniversary.”

Coincidentally, the prize netted the duo a $250 prize.

And placed them among the hundreds of winners from the 1,800 documentary submissions from nearly 4,000 students representing 38 states.

“The project was based on what we learned on the Civil Rights Movement and basically, the unfairness that people have gone through,” Smetana said. “And we learned that it wasn’t just African Americans fighting (for rights). There were white people supporting the movement and helping how they could.

“We learned it wasn’t just white vs. black.”

“We just found out,” Bellino added, “which was really surprising, because mainly what we talk about in class is just that white people were 100% against other races, but it was also interesting to learn that other races were also against themselves. It was interesting to learn new information like that.”

While under the guidance and studies of their teacher Anthony Engel, the filmmakers had to choose a key moment from America’s 250-year history and create a 5- to 6-minute documentary that explores its enduring impact. Smetana and Bellino’s documentary included clips from previous examinations of the Civil Rights and Black movements, interview clips with a renowned African American History professor and director of the Civil Rights Institute, historical photos and other documents from Black and Civil Rights history, Black music and narration spoken and written by the duo.

“Fiore and Dominic work very well together and have worked together on past projects,” Engel told the Land O’ Lakes Beacon. “They each have their strengths and they complement each other. The students were aware that this is a national competition and winning an award would be difficult. Our school is extremely proud of all of our students who entered.”

According to a press release from C-SPAN, contestants in “this highly competitive national program” join “a distinguished group of civically engaged young filmmakers whose work contributes to a deeper public understanding of America’s founding principles and their continued relevance today.”

C-SPAN is funded by America’s cable, satellite and streaming television companies as a commercial-free public service. In Land O’ Lakes, C-SPAN is available through Spectrum, the local partner of StudentCam.

“Each year, C-SPAN’s StudentCam competition demonstrates that the next generation is not only studying history — they’re engaging with it and applying it to the world around them,” Adam Falk, senior vice president of state government affairs for Spectrum said in a release. “We commend the creativity of this year’s winners, who examined the enduring power and relevance of the Declaration of Independence at a pivotal moment as our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.”

According to C-SPAN, “Themes of Equality” was the most frequently addressed topic in the documentary, with “Rights and Freedoms” in second.

Smetana and Bellino agreed, when starting the project, that the Civil Rights Movement was easily one of the most impactful events, one that was even more contemporary than some other choices. And after this win, they plan to partner again, as well as submit the entry, for another documentary on another topic when they’re in eighth grade.

For now, they’ll enjoy the recognition for their hard work — if not also the cash prize.

“I think maybe I’ll invest it,” Smetana said thoughtfully.

“I’m gonna put most of it in the bank,” Bellino added confidently, “then 25 bucks for pocket money.”