The Hunger Games is a dystopian event in Panem, where two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in the televised games. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors while the citizens of Panem watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives.