Inspiring the next generation of energy leaders

Title: SEM 2025 Hero Film

Duration: 3:33 minutes

Description: This video celebrates young innovators around the world as they overcome challenges, push the limits of energy efficiency and turn bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs.

SEM 2025 Hero Film Accessibility Transcript

[Background music plays]

The Sound of Shell weaves through the video in different styles, shaping the mood of each segment: gentle and smooth for calm moments, fast-paced rock for high energy, EDM to capture a modern, tech-driven vibe, and finally swelling into a full orchestral arrangement for a dramatic conclusion.

Vox Pops

DTU Roadrunners Team Member 1

Everyone can build a car.

Video footage

The vox pops begin with a close-up of a young Eco-marathon participant addressing an interviewer who is off camera. Trees, a tent, lush greenery and a blue sky fill the slightly blurred background. The scene fades to black.

Schluckspecht Team Member

To get it right and to get it efficient, yeah, difficult.

Video footage

In a series of close-up shots, the next participant addresses the off-camera interviewer from an indoor event space. A blurred crowd and bright ceiling lights fill the background. The scene fades to black.

[Text displays]

Thousands of students

Video footage

A montage shows a rapid succession of smiling young students, each image wiping quickly into the next as the transitions gain momentum. In most shots, a blurred crowd and bright ceiling lights appear in the background. On-screen text is shown in the middle of the frame. The word “Thousands” then appears multiple times, stacked on the left side for emphasis.

[Text displays]

One global engineering challenge

Video footage

As the scene shifts, text transitions in and appears at the centre of the frame over a panning shot of a large group of participants posing at the event, some holding national flags such as Brazil, Canada, and Colombia, their expressions and gestures conveying a celebratory atmosphere. Shell Eco-marathon banners and screens form the background. The scene then moves to a high-angle outdoor shot, where participants cheer, raise their hands, and pump their fists while holding flags from Qatar, Turkey, Norway, Slovakia, and Switzerland. Time-lapse footage follows, showing crowds of people wearing lanyards walking across paved areas, with high fencing and spotlights in the background.

[Text displays]

Pushing the boundaries of energy-efficiency

Video footage

As the scene shifts, text transitions in and appears at the centre of the frame over a wide-angle shot of the race track, viewed from behind the guardrails. An Eco-marathon vehicle enters from the left, crossing the frame and passing in front of a second line of text as it speeds along the track.

Vox Pops continued

Nixor Sharks Team Member

We focus on innovation, focus on creativity, problem-solving skills.

Video footage

A glowing neon Pecten shape appears at the centre of the frame. The next scene emerges within the expanding shape, eventually filling the screen. It shows a close-up of a young Eco-marathon participant speaking to an off-camera interviewer, with other people moving about in the blurred, brightly lit workspace behind them. Several shots follow, featuring teams working on vehicles in their workspaces and a pit crew surrounding their vehicle and driver on the track.

Shell Representative 1

They are the changemakers of tomorrow.

Video footage

A series of shots shows several Eco-marathon vehicles racing on the track. The scene then shifts to a Shell representative speaking to an off-camera interviewer from the event space. He wears a blue shirt with the Shell logo and “Shell Eco-marathon” embroidered on it.

Video footage

A video montage shows DTU Roadrunners team members examining vehicle parts, followed by a close-up of a red circuit board connected to neatly bundled, color-coded wires. The DTU vox pops contributor inspects the vehicle in the event workspace. The Nixor Sharks team is then shown surrounding their vehicle as they unbox it, working on it in their workspace, fitting the canopy, and finally posing in a semi-circle around the black, shark-like vehicle.

DTU Roadrunners Team Member 1

That's why we're here to, like, show the world that we can actually be more efficient.

Video footage

The DTU vox pops contributor again speaks to an off-camera interviewer in the previously described outdoor space. A cutaway shows low-angle footage of the Ecocar Unicamp Team gathered around their vehicle, with a Shell Eco-marathon event banner in the background. They perform a cheer, rhythmically throwing their hands into the air. A driver is seen from behind, holding his helmet on one shoulder while talking to others in the event workspace.

DTU Roadrunners Team Member 1

That's awesome.

Video footage

The DTU Roadrunners team surrounds their vehicle in the workspace, cheering and pumping their fists in the air. The shot then zooms in on their vox pops contributor, who smiles and comments, clearly pleased.

[Text displays]

Shell Eco-marathon

Video footage

People walk through an entrance into a large indoor space, seen in silhouette against the bright sky. Crowds, equipment and vehicles are visible in the background. A title appears briefly at the centre of the frame, underscored by a red line. Again, a video montage shows DTU Roadrunners team members examining vehicle parts, followed by a close-up of a red circuit board connected to neatly bundled, color-coded wires. A participant is then seen lying on a beanbag in an open event space, taking a break. Crowds are also shown in the outdoor event space.

Vox Pops continued

Schluckspecht Team Member

Shell Eco-marathon is about bringing young talent together and to build a great car.

Video footage

The Schluckspecht vox pops contributor again speaks to an off-camera interviewer in the previously described indoor space. Michigan Tech’s Supermileage Systems Enterprise team is shown working around their car in the outdoor space. Closer shots focus on a Shell Eco-marathon signboard above crowds of people in the same outdoor area.

[Text displays]

For more than 40 years

Video footage

The Politecnico di Torino team are shown lowering the body of their vehicle onto a ramp in the indoor workspace. On-screen text appears at the centre of the frame, with the numerical portion counting upwards before settling on the words “40 years,” which then appear repeatedly, stacked on the right side for emphasis. Behind the text, the scene shifts to the Nixor Sharks team wheeling their car along in the indoor area.

[Text displays]

Students and engineers have gathered

Video footage

A wide-angle shot shows various teams wheeling their cars from the outdoor paddock area towards the pit entrances, as text transitions in and appears at the centre of the frame.

[Text displays]

To see how far their ideas can take them

Video footage

High-angle footage shows the University of Toronto’s UTSM Raven team wheeling their car toward the pit entrances, as text transitions in and appears at the centre of the frame.

Vox Pops continued

DTU Roadrunners Team Member 2

Engineering is one of those professions where there is always room for improvement.

Video footage

A glowing neon Pecten shape expands from the centre of the frame, and the next scene emerges within the expanding shape, eventually filling the screen. This shows a close-up of a red and black vehicle passing along the racetrack. Another DTU Roadrunners vox pops contributor then appears in close-up, speaking to an off-camera interviewer beneath the shade of a large tree. The DTU team and then other teams are shown working on their vehicles in the indoor workspace.

UTB Eco-Drive Team Member

Hopefully we'll reach new heights with our battery efficiency.

Video footage

A member of the UTB Eco-Drive team speaks to an off-camera interviewer from the indoor workspace. Another team is then shown working around their vehicle in the paddock area.

Shell Representative 2

This event really challenges the way of thinking and brings innovation to life.

Video footage

Close-up footage shows a Shell representative speaking to camera in the paddock area, with the pit lane, “Gasoline Alley,” in the background. He wears a white shirt and a white jacket featuring the Shell logo.

[Text displays]

The aim – Design – Build – Test

Video footage

As successive text appears at the centre of the frame, a series of shots shows teams working on laptops in their workspaces, working on their vehicles, and later gathering around their vehicle in the paddock area as they conduct testing.

Vox Pops continued

DTU Roadrunners Team Member 1

It's just an engine. You can steal one from a lawnmower, put some wheels on it and then get going.

Video footage

A glowing neon Pecten shape expands from the centre of the frame, and the next scene emerges within it, eventually filling the screen. It shows the first DTU vox pops contributor again speaking to an off-camera interviewer in the previously described outdoor space. The scene then cuts to two similarly painted Eco-marathon vehicles racing on the track.

UTB Eco-Drive Team Member

We've been building this car for three months. A lot of stressful nights, 12 hours in the workshop.

Video footage

A video montage shows hands spinning a vehicle’s wheel, hands tightening a bolt, Ecocar team members looking into a compartment of their vehicle and then Schluckspecht team members focused on a laptop screen. Finally, the UTB vox pops contributor speaks to an off-camera interviewer in the previously described indoor workspace.

DTU Roadrunners Team Member 2

We have just been testing for the last 20 minutes to make sure we get the oil up to the right temperature. It's looking really good.

Video footage

A series of shots shows the Schluckspecht team testing their vehicle in the paddock area, followed by a close-up of a laptop screen displaying various dials, gauges, and data. The sequence continues with a DTU team member working on their vehicle in the indoor workspace. The second DTU vox pops contributor then speaks to an off-camera interviewer from the paddock area. This is followed by more shots of teams testing relevant parts in the indoor workspace.

[Text displays]

To refine the ultimate

Video footage

Several Ecocar team members work around a cluttered table of electronic components, tools, and a laptop in the indoor workspace, their green vehicle partially visible behind the table as they conduct testing. Text appears at the centre of the frame.

[Text displays]

Energy efficient vehicle

Video footage

A wide-angle zooming shot reveals the gleaming green Ecocar vehicle parked in front of the large Shell Eco-marathon event banner. Text appears at the centre of the frame, then splits to the upper and lower portions of the screen as the scene shifts to a fast pan around the Saint Thomas Academy yellow and white vehicle, parked in the indoor space.

Vox Pops continued

UTB Eco-Drive Team Member

We did multiple testings back in our country, Brunei. Pretty confident that it will run smoothly.

Video footage

A glowing neon Pecten shape expands from the centre of the frame, and the next scene emerges within it, eventually filling the screen. It shows the UTB vox pops contributor speaking to an off-camera interviewer in the previously described indoor workspace, with team members visible in the background. A wide shot then captures the UTB Eco-Drive team approaching, wheeling their vehicle across the indoor space. They wave a flag as well as their ‘pit access’ hi-vis vests, expressing excited anticipation.

DTU Roadrunners Team Member 2

We would love to get to 500 km per litre.

Video footage

Close-up footage shows the second DTU vox pops contributor speaking to an off-camera interviewer from the paddock area. This is followed by a close-up of a vehicle’s wheel spinning during testing in the indoor workspace.

[Text displays]

Mentored and guided through every stage

Video footage

As successive lines of text appear at the centre of the frame, two individuals are shown inspecting a vehicle’s canopy in the indoor workspace. The scene then shifts to another person leaning over a vehicle, giving a thumbs-up, followed by someone holding a tablet making adjustments while leaning over a driver seated in the vehicle.

[Text displays]

Teamwork driving success

Video footage

As text appears at the centre of the frame, a low-angle shot captures the cheering DTU team and drivers gathered around their vehicle in the paddock.

Vox Pops continued

BYU Team Member

That's what this competition is great at. There's a lot of experienced people around that you can ask the questions to.

Video footage

A glowing neon Pecten shape expands from the centre of the frame, and the next scene emerges within it, eventually filling the screen. Members of the Alden-Conger Supermileage team are shown with their small red vehicle in the paddock, pumping their fists in celebration. Similarly, the Armstrong team strike celebratory poses behind their two small black vehicles, with the Shell Eco-marathon banner behind them announcing, “We passed Technical Inspection.” The scene then shifts indoors, where a BYU team member speaks to an off-camera interviewer. A low-angle shot shows one person assisting another as they examine a document held between them, with a close-up revealing a diagram.

Shell Representative 1

If they have problems, we are there to support them.

Video footage

The scene shifts to the first Shell representative mentioned above, who speaks to an off-camera interviewer from the event space. Next, we see the same Shell representative assisting a team with their car in their workspace.

Schluckspecht Team Member

To be here, to work on the car with my friends, with my team around me, I love it. How could you not?

Video footage

Profile-view footage shows the Schluckspecht vox pops contributor kneeling to adjust the wheel of their vehicle in the indoor workspace. A close-up then captures him speaking to an off-camera interviewer in the same indoor event space. A low-angle shot follows, showing the team striking celebratory poses behind their vehicle, with the Shell Eco-marathon banner behind them reading, “We passed Technical Inspection.”

[Text displays]

Success needs determination

Video footage

As text appears at the centre of the frame, medium footage shows a team engaged in serious discussion beside the racetrack, with the guardrails directly behind them.

Vox Pops continued

Rocky Mountain Peak Efficiency Team Member

We've tested the relays, not the relays, checked the fuse, it's not the fuse. The motor wasn't hot. It pretty much all just cut out voltage-wise.

Video footage

A series of shots shows the Rocky Mountain Peak Efficiency Team working on their car, making adjustments with all heads down, focused on the task. Medium footage then captures their vox pops contributor speaking to an off-camera interviewer, while the team continues working in the background.

Wheat Ridge STEM Gold Team Member

Kind of a big problem to have your motor just stop running.

Video footage

Medium footage shows the Wheat Ridge STEM Gold vox pops contributor speaking to an off-camera interviewer from the paddock, gesturing expressively.

[Text displays]

Working under pressure

Video footage

Close-up profile footage shows a driver seated in his car in the indoor workspace, gesturing expressively to those gathered around. On-screen text appears at the centre of the frame, followed by the word “pressure” repeated multiple times, stacked along the right side for emphasis. Behind the text, the scene shifts to a low-angle close-up of two DTU team members looking downwards, their attention focused off-camera and their expressions clearly pensive.

Vox Pops continued

Nixor Sharks Team Member

We’re on a deadline, so we just need to find the fastest way possible.

Video footage

A glowing neon Pecten shape expands from the centre of the frame, and the next scene emerges within it, eventually filling the screen. Medium footage shows the Nixor Sharks vox pops contributor speaking to the camera, while the team continues working in the background. A close-up captures two individuals working together beneath a black metal structure, one holding blue wires and the other adjusting connectors on a white electrical device. A wider shot shows the team standing around the vehicle, engaged in discussion. A wide-angle profile shot then captures the contributor seated cross-legged on the floor, patting the nose cone of the vehicle.

Shell Representative 1

You have to deal every day with problems. But here, you learn to fix them very quickly under pressure.

Video footage

The scene returns to the Shell representative, who speaks to an off-camera interviewer from the event space. The scene shifts to profile footage of an individual leaning over an open laptop on a chair and pointing to data and graphics displayed on the screen. Medium footage captures individuals with their heads bent over a red-painted vehicle as they work on it, while team members stand around in the background. The scene shifts to medium footage of the DTU Roadrunners team celebrating, some jumping up and down, others embracing.

[Text displays]

Every stage is scrutinized

Every result must be earned

Video footage

Panning footage captures the orange and blue Saint Thomas Academy vehicle being wheeled across the paddock by an individual. On-screen text is shown in the middle of the frame. The word “Every” appears multiple times, stacked on the left side for emphasis, even as the words to the right change.

Vox Pops continued

DTU Roadrunners Team Member 1

We got our final stickers, so that’s an approval of our car. So that means that we passed everything and everything is in tip-top order.

Video footage

The first DTU vox pops contributor again speaks to an off-camera interviewer, this time from an indoor area, his attention partly focused on the stickers he is holding. A close-up shows two individuals’ hands smoothing red and blue Safety Inspection stickers onto a vehicle’s surface just above the Shell Pecten. The scene then shifts to panning selfie footage taken by the contributor, showing himself and his team celebrating the passing of the safety inspection, which is announced on a banner held up by the team.

[Text displays]

To prove they can go further

On less energy

Video footage

As successive text appears at the centre of the frame, a wide shot captures several cars approaching and speeding past on the track, while a closer shot shows a stationary driver in a green Eco-marathon vehicle, smiling and giving a thumbs-up from the cockpit.

Vox Pops continued

Team Envision Member

We did it! Yeah!

Video footage

A member of Team Envision films a selfie, excitedly shaking his fist while leaning into the camera, as several teammates smile into the shot in the background while he pans his device around the pit space.

UTB Eco-Drive Team Member

I think this is it. This is the attempt that will give us a valid time and make the whole team happy.

Video footage

A close-up captures the UTB vox pops contributor speaking directly to camera. High-angle footage shows members of the UTB Eco-Drive Team wheeling their vehicle past the other teams’ pit spaces. Another high-angle shot focuses on their driver in the cockpit, flipping her helmet visor down, followed by a second driver doing the same. A wide profile shot then shows UTB’s Pahlawan IX racing past and around the track, while wide-angle footage captures team members cheering enthusiastically from behind the guardrails.

[Text displays]

Shell Eco-marathon helps develop critical skills

Video footage

As text appears at the centre of the frame, a low-angle shot captures a team celebrating winning the Carbon Footprint Reduction award as they wave the Mexican flag and hold up a $3,000 presentation cheque. A wide shot then captures another team winning first place for Urban Concept Internal Combustion Engine as they pump their fists in the air and hold up a $3,000 presentation cheque.

[Text displays]

For future energy leaders

Video footage

As text appears at the centre of the frame, a medium shot captures a group of participants smiling into the camera, their arms raised high.

Vox Pops continued

Nixor Sharks Team Member

This is the foundation that develops them for their future careers.

Video footage

A close-up captures the Nixor Sharks vox pops contributor speaking to the off-camera interviewer, while her teammates move about in the background. Wide shots then show Team Envision cheering from behind a cordoned-off area as a technical team member applies Safety Inspection stickers to their vehicle.

[Text displays]

Where bright young minds turn innovation into action

Video footage

As text appears at the centre of the frame, a series of medium shots capture other teams cheering enthusiastically, culminating with footage of a vehicle racing past on the track, the low sun casting long shadows above. As the text begins to fade, additional shots show multiple vehicles racing along the track.

Vox Pops continued

Unidentified Team Member

This is your friend. To innovate, this is number one.

Video footage

A close-up captures a young man speaking to the off-camera interviewer at the racetrack, repeatedly pointing to his head to emphasise his point.

BYU Team Member

That's why we make tomorrow great. It's our job.

Video footage

Slow-motion footage then shows four young men walking side by side down the pit lane, wearing navy blue and white team shirts with the Shell logo, each playfully flashing the shaka sign with their thumbs and little fingers. The scene then shifts indoors, where two team members in orange team shirts embrace with joy, followed by a BYU team member speaking to an off-camera interviewer. A team wearing red shirts are then shown celebrating in front of the big Shell Eco-marathon banner, followed by the team from Diponegoro University, who punch their fists into the air and cheer. The scene transitions out of frame in the shape of a contracting Pecten, giving way to a white background.

[Audio]

Shell brand mnemonic played on keys

[Animated sequence]

The small iconic red and yellow Pecten transitions in to display at frame-centre against a white background, with text displaying below it and along the lower part of the frame.

[Text displays]

Empowering future energy leaders

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