Twice a year, Musicbed Challenge—our 30-day short-film competition—invites filmmakers to do what they do best: tell a story that moves people.
But this season, we’re doing things a little differently.
Read on to learn more about this season’s new single-category format, the prizes up for grabs, and everything you need to know before you get started.
This season, we’re making it More Human.
Filmmaking is changing. We’re living in a moment where speed of output is at odds with authenticity and taste. The question becomes this: creativity or convenience?
For us, the answer is clear. No shortcut replaces the years spent developing skill, taste, and perspective. Being a filmmaker is something you earn.
That’s why this season’s Musicbed Challenge has one category: More Human.
What does this mean? It’s permission to make and submit the film only you can make, shaped by the life you’ve lived and the stories that matter to you—something that inspires, uplifts, and builds optimism toward the future of human creativity.
Because that’s what audiences want to see: work that feels authentic, intentional, and human.
Meet the Judges
This season, a panel of 14 creative powerhouses will be scoring films on creativity, song use, storytelling, and craft, and providing winners with taste-driven feedback.
The Prizes
This season’s winners—the Grand Prize recipient, two Runner-Ups, and People’s Choice winner—will split over $80K in film grants, high-end filmmaking tools, and creative assets.
Grand Prize Winner
- $15K Cash Grant
- Musicbed Business 1-Year Subscription
- $2,000 Filmsupply Licensing Credit
- FilmConvert Nitrate + CineMatch
- Saturation 1-Year Producer Membership
- $2,000 Lensrentals Credit
- ShotDeck 1-Year Subscription
- Dehancer 1-Year Individual Photo & Video Subscription
- $300 Moment Credit
- $3,000 FUJIFILM Credit
- Atlas Lens Co. Free Demo Lens Rental
- Creator Camp Mentorship Call + Merch
Two (2) Runners Up
- $15K Cash Grant
- Musicbed 1-Year Small Business Subscription
- $2,000 Filmsupply Licensing Credit
- FilmConvert Nitrate + CineMatch
- Saturation 1-Year Producer Membership
- $2,000 Lensrentals Credit
- ShotDeck 1-Year Subscription (+ 2 Accounts)
- Dehancer 1-Year Individual Photo & Video Subscription
- $300 Moment Credit
- $2,000 FUJIFILM Credit
- Creator Camp Mentorship Call + Merch
People’s Choice Winner
- Musicbed 1-Year Small Business Subscription
- $2,000 Filmsupply Licensing Credit
- FilmConvert Hazy + Halation
- Saturation 1-Year Producer Membership
- $2,000 Lensrentals Credit
- ShotDeck 1-Year Subscription (+ 2 Accounts)
- Dehancer 1-Year Individual Photo & Video Subscription
- $300 Moment Credit
- $1,500 FUJIFILM Credit
- Creator Camp Mentorship Call + Merch
Access the starter kit for more information.
Submissions open on March 17 and close on April 27 at 12 PM noon CDT. Download the Starter Kit for everything you need to know: rules, deadlines, links to bonus assets, and more. Good luck!
