Zhiyun Announces Annual Short Video Contest with $100,000 in Prizes

Camera Gimbal maker Zhiyun Tech has announced their 2022 Short Film Contest with over $100,000 dollars in prizes. The contest allows filmmakers to submit videos to YouTube or Instagram until October 20th, 2022.

The contest seeks to draw attention to the popularity of making short videos and posting them on social sites such as YouTube, Instagram, or Tik Tok.

Image Credit – ZhiyunTech

As the popularity of the short form video has grown, chiefly due to mobile-centric apps, the aspect ratio format of vertical video has become a viable standard, with major camera brands and video editing software offering the aspect ratio as an option.

Last year’s Zhiyun Short Film Competition drew over 1024 entries from 864 groups and individuals from 47 countries around the world.

This year’s competition is sponsored by such filmmaking and video brands as Nikone, RODE, Aputure, SmallRig, Lexar, FiLMiC Pro, and Hollyland.

Prize packages include:

  • First prize winner – total value $6,300 USD
  • Two 2nd-prize winners – total value $4,800 USD ($2,400 each)
  • Three 3rd-prize winners – total value $5,100 USD ($1,700 each)
  • Three Nikon Fresh Clip Award winners – total value $2,400 ($800 each)

In addition, Zhiyun is offering a $300 bonus prize to entries that also submit a behind-the-scenes video as part of their submission.

Judges for this year’s short film competition include Tim Williams, the founder of MediaStorm; director and cinematographer Olivier H.D; photographer and content creator Lin Haiyin; and director and photographer Zhizhu.

Image Credit – ZhiyunTech

All entries must include the Zhiyun Pre-roll introduction for the contest, which is available for download during registration. Other required information must include a title and description to explain the submission, and a list of devices used to capture and film the submission. Note: Entries do NOT have to be shot on a Zhiyun gimbal or other product.

To enter, filmmakers must register for the competition at the ZHIYUN Short Film Contest Portal.  Then, creatives can submit a short film with suggested categories that include Travel, Vlog, Narrative, Creative, and Documentary.

The film can be of any subject matter, as long as a category is chosen, but there seems to be a bit of confusion about duration.

While the announcement states entries can be any duration, the Zhiyun website states that the duration of the short film submission should be no longer than 30 seconds. So it may be worth sending an email or tweet to Zhiyun to clarify if you plan to go more long form with your entry.

In addition, the resolution of entries must be at least 1080p or above.  After creating their entry, filmmakers are encouraged to post their entry on Instagram or YouTube, with the hashtag #ZHIYUNAnnualShortVideoContest2022. Additionally, entries should send an email to [email protected], with either the YouTube or Instagram link.

The contest submission period runs from July 5th to October 20, 2022, at midnight, with judging occurring until the winner is announced on November 20, 2022.

[source: Zhiyun]

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