The second edition of the TikTok Short Film competition, in partnership with the Festival de Cannes, has announced its winners on May 23, 2023. The competition invited creators from around the world to submit their short-form films using the hashtag #TikTokShortFilm and showcase their creativity and storytelling skills.
Among the 40 shortlisted videos, three winners were selected by a jury of acclaimed filmmakers and actors, including Louane, Éric Judor, Ramzy Bedia, Shin’ichiro Ueda and Marie-Lou Papazian. The winners were invited by TikTok to the 76th edition of the Festival de Cannes to present their work and receive their prize.
The Grand Prize Winner was @picorelab from Japan, with his film “The Last Day”, a dystopian sci-fi thriller that explores the consequences of climate change. The Best Script award went to @madalena_aragao from Portugal, with her film “The Girl Who Could Fly”, a whimsical fantasy about a young girl who discovers her special ability. The Best Editing award was given to @estebanvial from France, with his film “The Loop”, a comedy that plays with time loops and parallel realities.
Among the shortlisted videos, several African creators stood out with their original and diverse stories. @mohamed_ali_gharbi from Tunisia impressed the jury with his film “The Dreamer”, a poetic tale of a young boy who dreams of becoming an astronaut. @sarah_mukendi from Congo captivated the audience with her film “The Voice”, a musical drama about a girl who finds her voice through singing. @david_kamau from Kenya entertained the viewers with his film “The Heist”, a hilarious parody of action movies.
The TikTok Short Film competition is part of TikTok’s efforts to support the film industry and the next generation of filmmakers. The app has over 1 billion monthly users worldwide and offers a wide range of creative tools and features to help creators express themselves and connect with their audience. TikTok also partnered with the Festival de Cannes to livestream the opening ceremony and other events, as well as to provide exclusive content from celebrities and influencers on the app.
The winners of the TikTok Short Film competition will receive cash prizes to support their next creative projects. The Grand Winner will receive €10,000, while the winners of the Best Script and Best Editing categories will receive €5,000 each. The winners will also have the opportunity to network with industry professionals and gain exposure for their work.
The TikTok Short Film competition is expected to return for its third edition in 2024, with more categories and prizes to be announced. TikTok invites all aspiring filmmakers to join the app and share their stories with the world.