After weeks of bold storytelling, original vision, and films that reminded us what it means to create with intention, the winners of Musicbed Challenge Spring 2026: More Human are here.
From our first-place winner to our People’s Choice pick, these filmmakers stood out for work that felt personal and unmistakably human.
Here are this year’s First Place Winner, First Runner Up, Second Runner Up, and the winning selection from the People’s Choice vote.
MUSICBED CHALLENGE FIRST PLACE WINNER: Sparks. by Neil Murphy
FEATURED MUSIC FROM MUSICBED
CREW
Director: Neil Murphy
Writer: Neil Murphy
Producer: Neil Murphy
Cinematographer: Neil Murphy
Editor: Neil Murphy
VFX: Neil Murphy
Sound Design: Neil Murphy
Actor: Neil Murphy
AI Voice Assistant: Sydney Stuberg
Extras Camera Op: Albert Masferrer
JUDGES’ FEEDBACK
From Senior Content Producer at EP+Co, Helena Sullivan
Overall, Sparks is a fantastic short film that exceeded my expectations. It’s creative, polished, emotionally engaging, and technically impressive from start to finish.
Brief Overview of My Ratings:
Song Use — 8/10 The music served the story really well and complemented the emotional tone throughout. I didn’t find myself overly focused on the soundtrack while watching, which honestly can be a sign that it’s working exactly as intended.
Creativity — 8/10 At first, the premise didn’t immediately feel unique, and I worried it might become overly self-centered as a “filmmaker making a film about filmmaking” story. But the deeper the film went, the more it evolved into something fresh and relevant, especially with its exploration of AI and creativity.
Storytelling — 9/10 Absolutely compelling. Once the story settled in, it held my attention completely and built toward a satisfying emotional payoff.
Craft — 10/10 Perfect. The cinematography, editing, performances, and overall production value were outstanding. This film looks far bigger than a one-person production.
From Director/Post-Production Supervisor at ROVE Productions, Matt Burton
What a phenomenal film. Grounded in such a real struggle for anyone in the arts right now, the emergence of AI has a lot of us questioning who we are, what we have to say, and where our spark even comes from anymore. The flickering lights throughout were such a considered detail. Simple, symbolic, and threaded through the whole film in a way that never felt heavy-handed or in your face.
The AI conversation was painfully familiar, that inevitable frustration of it not sounding human, not being a real conversation. You nailed it, my friend. Finding the old camera. Reviewing a life already lived. The reminder that we all have a story in us, because our lives are the story. The spark doesn’t come from prompts or tools or algorithms. It comes from living. From experiencing life. My favourite part!
The cinematography, the music landing exactly when it needed to, the script, the edit, the symbolism held consistently from open to close, this was a masterpiece. Every category a 10 because I genuinely couldn’t find a ceiling.
FIRST RUNNER UP: Protectors of the Physical Realm by Shaffer Nickel
FEATURED MUSIC FROM MUSICBED
CREW
Writer/ Director: Shaffer Nickel
Voice Actors: Scott Taylor & Diana Fedoriaka
JUDGES’ FEEDBACK
From Documentary Director at The Art of Documentary, Mark Bone
This was an absolutely one-of-a-kind film. It’s so refreshing to see something that genuinely feels unlike anything you’ve seen before, which is a real accomplishment in this era. It’s the kind of film that makes you want to hear the filmmaker commentary afterwards, just to better understand all the layers and ideas they were trying to explore. Creating something this fresh and unique within a competition setting really stood out to me. The film completely drew me into its bizarreness, and at times it reminded me of the spirit of Monty Python through its editing style and strange, wide-shot visual choices.
My only critique is that, even as an experimental film, it did feel like it dragged at times. Some of the conversations with the god-like creator character perhaps could have been tightened or paired with more evolving visuals. I also would have loved to see the main character go on more of a journey, rather than having so much of the film take place beside the lake. I wanted to feel the pain of their journey more deeply and better understand what they were wrestling with emotionally, so I could connect more strongly to the larger themes and statements the filmmaker was exploring.
In a way, that critique is also a compliment, because the film made me want more. I wanted to understand this strange universe more deeply and spend more time inside its ideas. While I do think it left me wanting a bit more narrative progression and emotional clarity, I would still absolutely recommend it because it’s such a unique experience. The filmmaker’s creativity and willingness to take risks really stood out.
From Creative Director at MWB, Randy Lynn
This was one of the most stylistically bold and experimental entries I watched. The filmmaker clearly committed to a distinct visual language and atmosphere. The effect was intentionally disorienting, almost hallucinatory.
Creativity
The creativity on display here was undeniable. From the opening provocative statement and typography treatment to the unconventional framing, distorted visuals, glitches, lens flares, and abrupt ending, the film constantly made surprising choices. I especially appreciated the willingness to embrace a lo-fi aesthetic, including the 4:3 aspect ratio, which immediately helped establish the tone.
Storytelling
The film created a strong mood and sense of unease, and there were moments that felt genuinely memorable and thought-provoking. At times, though, the sheer number of stylistic techniques competing for attention made it more difficult for me to stay connected to the underlying story or thematic throughline. Viewers who gravitate toward more experimental filmmaking may connect more naturally with that approach, but for me, a bit more restraint or clarity in certain moments might have strengthened the film’s emotional impact.
Craft
There were some truly striking images throughout the film. The unusual compositions, contrast between light and shadow, and distorted imagery all contributed to a unique aesthetic. While I personally think a slightly more restrained approach could have made some moments land more powerfully, the level of visual creativity was impressive.
Song Use
The sound design complemented the surreal visual style very well. The echoing voiceovers and layered audio textures helped reinforce the film’s dreamlike and unsettling atmosphere. I thought the accordion piece at the end was an unexpected, but compelling, choice. It added an unexpected tonal shift that somehow fit perfectly with the strange, uncanny energy of the film’s conclusion.
SECOND RUNNER UP: This Picture by Parker Foster
FEATURED MUSIC FROM MUSICBED
CREW
Writer/Director/Editor: Parker Foster
Starring: Jamal “Sage” Pedro
Original Poem By: Jamal “Sage” Pedro
Mom: Danielle Tezcan
Sound Design: Nathan Rantala
Special thanks: Nicole LeLacheur and Dan Silver
JUDGES’ FEEDBACK
From Director at 22 Waves Creative, Burke Doeren
This is a powerful film, and I so enjoyed it! As a parent, it takes a lot of work to connect with your kids throughout every stage of their development, especially when you have to balance trauma in your own life. I think it was moving, beautifully shot, and very well crafted.
I think there are a few small things that could push it to a 10/10 in my book. I’d love to see a resolution where after his performance, he connects with his daughter better than he has been doing recently – even if it’s just a short scene, it would be a very heartfelt resolution to this journey. I also think there could be a very subtle score under his performance – just something delicate that amplifies the power of his words. But overall, this is excellent!
From Executive Producer at Matter Films, Alicia Longo
This was a powerful piece. I really connected with the storyline and the vulnerability that carried through the entire film. The character never hid from the audience; they fully let you in, which created such a strong sense of trust and emotional connection. That level of openness made the story feel deeply personal.
The poem was beautiful, and I found myself hanging onto every word. It added so much depth and emotion to the piece, serving as both a narrative thread and an intimate window into the character’s inner world. Every line felt intentional and meaningful.
I also loved the way it was shot. The cinematography felt intimate and immersive, to the point where I felt like I was in the room with them, experiencing those moments firsthand. Altogether, it felt raw, honest, and beautiful in a way that really stays with you.”
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: i think i’m okay by Levi Vaagenes
FEATURED MUSIC FROM MUSICBED
CREW
Director/DP: Levi Vaagenes
Director/Producer: Dylan Clinton
Poetry/VO: E.C. Timmer
Talent: Taj Carver and Lilee College
FINALISTS
A Life at -50°C | The Nenets of Siberia
Painting Short Film | Ukrainian Artist Ira Havuka
A special thanks to all who submitted their films, our panel of judges for their time and feedback, and our sponsors and partners. We look forward to the next Musicbed Challenge!
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