How to Upload Videos to AFV Step by Step

Understanding AFV and Video Submission Requirements

America's Funniest Videos, commonly known as AFV, is a television show that has been running since 1989. The program features humorous home videos submitted by viewers from across the United States and internationally. Each week, the show airs the funniest submissions, and viewers vote on their favorites. The winning videos receive cash prizes, with the grand prize winner receiving $10,000 per episode.

Before uploading any video to AFV, you should understand what types of content the show accepts. AFV primarily features videos that capture funny, unscripted moments. These might include children doing unexpected things, pets behaving in amusing ways, people experiencing mishaps, or any other genuine humorous situations caught on camera. The show does not accept scripted comedy sketches, professional productions, or content that appears staged or artificially created.

Videos must meet certain technical requirements to be considered for broadcast. The minimum video length is 15 seconds, though most submissions range from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Longer videos are less likely to be selected because the show needs to fit multiple submissions into each episode. Video quality should be reasonably clear, though AFV accepts footage from smartphones, tablets, and standard cameras. The show has broadcast videos shot on various devices over the years, so professional equipment is not necessary.

Copyright and music considerations are important factors in your submission. If your video contains music, you must either own the rights to that music, have written permission from the copyright holder, or use royalty-free music. AFV cannot broadcast videos that contain copyrighted music without proper licensing. Similarly, if other people appear in your video, you should have their permission for submission and broadcast. This is particularly important if you're filming children or people who may not be your family members.

Practical takeaway: Review the AFV website's current submission guidelines before filming or uploading anything. Guidelines can change, and the official AFV site provides the most accurate information about what they're currently seeking and any technical specifications that may have been updated.

Creating an AFV Account and Accessing the Upload Portal

To submit a video to AFV, you'll need to create an account on their official website. Visit the AFV website and look for the "Submit Video" or similar option in the main navigation menu. This typically appears at the top of the homepage or in a secondary menu. Click on this option to begin the account creation process.

The account creation process requires basic personal information. You'll be asked to provide your email address, which will be your login username. Choose a strong password that contains uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. This helps protect your account from unauthorized access. You'll also need to provide your full name and a valid phone number. AFV uses this information to contact winners and verify the authenticity of submissions.

During account setup, you may be asked about your location and age. AFV accepts submissions from people aged 13 and older. If you're under 18, a parent or guardian will need to be involved in the submission and prize claiming process. The location information helps AFV organize submissions and potentially identify regional trends in their content.

Once your account is created, you'll receive a confirmation email at the address you provided. This email will contain a link that you must click to verify your email address. Check your spam or promotions folder if you don't see this email in your inbox within a few minutes. Confirming your email is a necessary step before you can upload videos. After confirmation, you can log into your AFV account using your email and password.

Your account dashboard will show any videos you've previously submitted, their current status, and any messages from AFV regarding your submissions. The dashboard also displays instructions for uploading new videos and information about the submission process timeline. AFV typically reviews submissions within 30 to 60 days, though this timeframe can vary depending on the volume of submissions they receive.

Practical takeaway: Save your AFV account login credentials in a secure location, such as a password manager. You may want to submit multiple videos over time, so having easy access to your account information will make future submissions faster.

Preparing Your Video File Before Upload

Before uploading your video to AFV, you should review the file and make necessary preparations. Start by watching your entire video from beginning to end on the device where you'll upload it. This helps you identify any technical issues, unwanted audio, or portions that might need editing. Pay attention to audio quality—if there's significant background noise, wind noise, or unclear dialogue, consider whether the video is still worth submitting. While AFV doesn't require professional audio quality, clear audio makes funny moments more enjoyable for viewers.

Check your video file format and size. AFV typically accepts common video formats including MP4, MOV, AVI, and WMV. Most smartphones save videos in MP4 format by default, which is widely compatible. The file size should be manageable for uploading—generally under 4 gigabytes, though smaller files upload faster. If your video file is exceptionally large, you might consider using video compression software to reduce the file size without significantly affecting quality. Many free video editing programs can accomplish this task.

Review your video for any content that might violate AFV's submission guidelines. Avoid videos that contain violence, graphic content, illegal activity, or anything that could be harmful. AFV focuses on family-friendly entertainment, so content should be appropriate for viewers of all ages. If your video includes background scenes, ensure there's nothing visible that might be problematic. For instance, if there's a calendar on the wall with inappropriate content, or any identifying information you'd prefer not to be public, consider editing that portion out.

If you want to make minor edits to your video before submission, you can use built-in smartphone editing tools or free computer software like iMovie, Windows Photos, or OpenShot. Basic edits might include trimming the beginning or end of the video, adjusting brightness if the video is too dark, or removing segments with audio issues. However, extensive editing should be avoided—AFV specifically seeks unscripted, authentic moments. Videos that appear heavily edited or produced are less likely to be selected.

Create a descriptive title and summary for your video. Your title should be brief, clear, and describe what happens in the video. For example, "Dog Jumps Through Screen Door" is better than "Funny Video." Your written summary should be 1-3 sentences explaining what viewers will see. Avoid exaggerating what happens in the video—describe events accurately. The title and summary help AFV's review team quickly understand your submission and decide whether it fits their needs.

Practical takeaway: Before uploading, ask a family member or friend to watch your video. They can often spot issues you might have missed and provide feedback on whether the funny moment is clear and enjoyable to outside viewers.

Navigating the Upload Process Step by Step

Once you're logged into your AFV account, locate the video upload button or section. This is usually prominently displayed on your account dashboard or main submission page. Click this button to begin the upload process. The interface will present you with options to either select a file from your computer or, in some cases, record a new video directly if you're using a mobile device.

Select your video file from your device. A file browser window will open showing folders on your computer or device. Navigate to the location where your video is saved. This might be in your Pictures folder, Videos folder, Downloads, or a custom folder you created. Select the video file and click "Open" or "Choose." The file selection window will close, and the upload process will begin. Depending on your internet connection speed and file size, this may take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.

A progress bar will typically display as your file uploads. During this time, you should leave the browser window open and avoid closing it or navigating away. If your internet connection is interrupted, the upload may fail and you'll need to start over. If you have a slower internet connection, consider uploading during a time when fewer people in your household are using the internet, as this can improve upload speed.

After your file uploads successfully, you'll be asked to enter information about your submission. This includes the title, description, and details about the video content. Fill in these fields with accurate information. You may also be asked about the date the video was recorded and who appears in it. AFV wants to know if the video features your own family members or if other people's permission was obtained. Be honest in these responses.

Review the submission form thoroughly before finalizing. Check that all information is accurate, your title and description are clear, and you