Global Short-form Video Competition ‘Picture This’ launched by World Photography Organisation, Sony Pictures Television and the United Nations Foundation

The World Photography Organisation, in association with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) and the United Nations Foundation, announced on Earth Day that Picture This, a global short-form video competition in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)*, is open for submissions.

The global competition is open to all filmmakers, video content creators and changemakers who want to raise awareness about our environmental challenges and inspire action for people and the planet through the power of film.

“We are delighted to be working with Sony Pictures Television and the UN Foundation for Picture This,” said Scott Gray, CEO, World Photography Organisation. “This initiative provides visual artists and creatives with invaluable opportunities and access to top professionals in the field. Importantly, it also sets out to raise awareness around some of the most urgent issues of our time. Using our platform we look forward to expanding the reach of these creatives and sharing their stories with our worldwide audience.”

Picture This has been inspiring creativity around a sustainable future since 2015, asking people everywhere to imagine a better world and take action to help realize the vision of the SDGs.

“We are excited to continue Picture This in 2022. Picture This encourages content creators of all experience levels to share their visions of a positive future through the immediacy of short form videos. Stories that evoke emotion can inspire action and a desire to be part of that positive future. The Sustainable Development Goals serve as a strong foundation to create that vision,” said John Rego, Vice President, Safety & Sustainability, Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The 2022 edition of Picture This is being held under the theme The Time to Act is Now! in support of the United Nations’ ActNow campaign, which encourages individual action to help tackle climate change. As such, videos should inspire viewers to address one or more of the issues highlighted in the eight climate-focused SDGs with a clear call to ACT NOW.

“This is an all hands on deck moment,” said Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO of the UN Foundation. “We need everyone, everywhere to help tackle climate change and build a more sustainable world for all. By elevating new voices and powerful stories, Picture This is sure to inspire – and hopefully, spur viewers into action to protect our only planet and shared home.”

Entries for the 2022 edition of Picture This will close on July 5, 2022. Submissions can be varied in technique, subject matter, and approach. The focus will be on creative and impactful short videos (running 30 or 60 seconds) with a clear, powerful message in support of a better, more sustainable future for all. Additional details are available in the Creative Brief. Please visit worldphoto.org/picture-this for more information and to enter for free.

The winning entries will be selected by a panel of judges, including:
• Keith Le Goy, Chairman of Worldwide Distribution & Networks at Sony Pictures Entertainment
• Jason Clodfelter, Co-President of Sony Pictures Television Studios
• Pablo Szneiberg, Senior Vice President, Brand & Creative, Sony Pictures Television
• Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO of the UN Foundation
• Cynthia Yue, UNA-USA Youth Observer to the UN
• Connor Franta, Author, Artist and Advocate
• Anjali Patel, Girl Up Leader

Winning entries will air on one of SPT’s international networks. In addition, the Grand Prize Winner, two finalists, and seven shortlisted entrants will receive the following:

1 Grand Prize Winner
• $1,000 USD
• 2-hour mentoring session with SPT Executive
• 2-hour mentoring session with United Nations Foundation Executive
• Video will be mastered by the Sony Pictures Television Creative Center
• Showcasing of the winning video on a SPT international network
• Sony Alpha Full Frame Camera Kit

2 Finalists
• Video will be mastered by the Sony Pictures Television Creative Center
• Sony ZV-1 Camera for Content Creators and Vloggers

7 Shortlisted Entrants
• Promotion on the World Photography Organisation website and social channels

Additional promotional support of Picture This includes HF Productions and Promax.

* The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a call for action by all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. The SDGs are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. The 17 Goals were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

About the World Photography Organisation
The World Photography Organisation is a leading global platform dedicated to the development and advancement of photographic culture. Our programming and competition initiatives provide valuable opportunities for artists working in photography and help broaden the conversation around their work. Through our fairs we play a key role in driving the growth of the contemporary art market for photo-based art and deepening audience engagement with the medium. The World Photography Organisation’s portfolio includes: the Sony World Photography Awards, one of the world’s biggest photography competitions, PHOTOFAIRS Shanghai the leading fair in Asia Pacific dedicated to photo-based and digital artworks and Photo London the international fair held annually at Somerset House, London. www.worldphoto.org

About Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry’s leading content providers, producing, distributing and carrying programming worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to managing one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, SPT is home to a thriving global content business, operating a robust portfolio of wholly-owned and joint-venture production companies across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, as well as linear and digital channels around the world. SPT is a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation.

About the UN Foundation
The UN Foundation is an independent charitable organization created to work closely with the United Nations to address humanity’s greatest challenges, build initiatives across sectors to solve problems at scale, and drive global progress. Learn more at www.unfoundation.org

Media Contacts

World Photography Organisation
Inbal Mizrahi
press@worldphoto.org

UN Foundation
Megan Rabbitt
press@unfoundation.org