Announcing: Our 2020 Musicbed Reopen Challenge Winners

This year, the Musicbed Challenge had a different end goal than in years past. Creatives had an unprecedented chance to re-shape culture during a critical moment in history. So we asked them to use their talents for the greater good. To find a story within their communities, and to make a film that could make a difference.

Musicbed Reopen Challenge

This year, the Musicbed Challenge had a different end goal than in years past. Creatives had an unprecedented chance to re-shape culture during a critical moment in history. So we asked them to use their talents for the greater good. To find a story within their communities, and to make a film that could make a difference. 

Now, 30 days later, we’re ready to announce the 2020 Musicbed Reopen Challenge Winners. Our panel of industry-leading judges have viewed and selected the entries that they believe can best spread optimism—with the winning filmmakers taking home their share of $100,000 in cash. 

Musicbed Reopen Challenge Stats

Our team was deeply moved by the outpouring of film submissions from countries around the globe, so we want to take a moment to thank everyone who participated in this year’s Musicbed Challenge. 

As our CEO, Daniel McCarthy said about this year’s Musicbed Reopen Challenge, “Even if your film isn’t chosen as a winning submission, you still created something that could legitimately change someone’s life.”

Though we always have been, today, we are especially proud to support and work with the filmmaking community.

Musicbed Reopen Challenge Judges

Our panel of judges scored submissions based on the following criteria: Craft, Storytelling, and Creativity. Their scores from each category were compiled to determine the winners. 

Okay, now let’s get to what you’ve been waiting for…

The 2020 Musicbed Challenge Winners

$25,000 Prize Winner | Black.Matters

“Incredible. A really beautiful and poetic statement narratively as well as visually.” — Sarah Schutzki

$15,000 Prize Winner | Descent

“Really powerful story and performance by the lead. Super unique, creative, and moving way to tackle the topic of mental health.” —Luciana Almeida

$10,000 Prize Winner | Meet Me At the Stairs

“There was art in the framing of each shot and a minimalism that I enjoyed and pulled my focus into the story.” — Diego Contreras

People’s Choice

We’d also like to give a huge shoutout to our People’s Choice Winners. The filmmakers behind these winning submissions spanned the entire globe; from rural areas of Africa, East Asia, to South America, and more. And viewers from every country in the world voted on films that had the most impact on them. In this competition, everyone made a difference.

Africa (7 Winners)

SubmissionFilmmakerCountry
Stay TogetherJay EngmanGhana
Baba YaoSeppe VerbistKenya
Dark StarsDadzie George-IsaacNigeria
CommunitySachin NarainSouth Africa
Living ProofMawande KheswaSouth Africa
RISEJosh RoweSouth Africa
SpacegirlDrew MurphySouth Africa

Asia (6 Winners)

SubmissionFilmmakerCountry
Shadow Harbour – 暗影港Domingo LamarreHong Kong
安謐地 Tranquilland姚樂軒 Yiu Lok HinHong Kong
Re-invent the FutureRiddhiman GhoshIndia
UDAYHaresh PaniaIndia
WarriorUdit TiwariIndia
“Kailan Ulit?”Paulo NebrejaPhilippines

Australia (4 Winners)

SubmissionFilmmakerCountry
A Very Very Creative LunchJacob SteensonAustralia
RE: RHYTHMCedric TangAustralia
WARRIORMel BransonAustralia
Why the World is PreciousJordan JaiAustralia

Europe (11 Winners)

SubmissionFilmmakerCountry
Portrait of EuropeShayan ShuklaCzechia
SAMIRADan Braga UlvestadGermany
First Time Holding My Son, TheoCiaran WilsonIreland
ThanatophobiaBogdan RybkaPoland
Kings & QueensJoão SantosPortugal
Stay HomeKoshka NeonRussia
TimeMax LarruySpain
Le Périple d’AbéllaEnis ManazTurkey
Unexpected Virtues of PandemiKutay BerkTurkey
Lessons LearntMillonUnited Kingdom
The Felling of ColstonArthur CautyUnited Kingdom

North America (18 Winners)

SubmissionFilmmakerCountry
Grow TogetherMatt MorelandCanada
UNREINEDErin ParksCanada
Desde Adentro (From the Inside)Alberto ReyMexico
FRECUENCIAAlejandro PartidaMexico
THE LIGHT HUNTERHéctor Tapia AguilarMexico
#TUHSDStrongerWarren ColeUnited States
Allyship is not the goal.Destyn PateraUnited States
Art is My SuperpowerAlicia NapolitanoUnited States
Luxury to NecessityMicah HamiltonUnited States
MaximaJandro Guerrero DavalosUnited States
Never Odd Or EvenElliot PetersUnited States
Nobody’s PerfectRobbie HouUnited States
RememberCorey HourUnited States
SageSean MannUnited States
SMILE WITH YOUR EYESBarblin MayhewUnited States
The Heartbeat of Kansas CityAdrian HerreraUnited States
This is 2020Toby CanningUnited States
We Rise TogetherRaelyn MunnekeUnited States

South America (4 Winners)

SubmissionFilmmakerCountry
2020 – QUANDO TUDO MUDOUUgo SartoriBrazil
When It All Goes Back to NormalThree VoicesBrazil
La ortra cura (The other cure)Jorge Díaz SolerChile
EXTRAORDINARIOGina CicconeParaguay

Thank you again to everyone who participated. There were so many incredible films and we’re grateful to have been able to be a part of making them come to life.

If you’d like to stay tuned for updates regarding next year’s Musicbed Challenge, make sure to sign up for updates here.