TikTok is bringing its short film contest back to Cannes — and inviting U.S. creators to submit

#TikTokShortFilm is back, and in its third year, the contest is expanding. For the first time, U.S.-based creators can submit artistic, minute-long work to the competition, which will culminate with an award ceremony at the Festival De Cannes in May.

More than 55 countries are included in the #TikTokShortFilm contest, which celebrates short-form art while reinforcing “TikTok’s commitment to the entertainment and film industry,” according to an announcement from the video app. Submitted work will be presented in TikTok’s signature vertical format, but slower-paced entries will be considered as well. In its announcement, TikTok calls for “1min+ videos,” underscoring its recent investment in longer uploads.

“#TikTokShortFilm has helped define TikTok’s role as a launchpad for both emerging and established filmmakers around the world,” reads the announcement. “Since it first launched in 2022, the #TikTokShortFilm competition has empowered many creators to turn their passion into new career opportunities by helping them break into the entertainment industry.”

@tiktoknewsroom Lights, camera, action! As the Official Partner of Festival de Cannes, we’re excited to bring back the #TikTokShortFilm ♬ original sound – TikTok Newsroom

The 2022 iteration of the contest was a bumpy start. Though creators like Khaby Lame

helped judge the submissions, #TikTokShortFilm jury president Rithy Panh abruptly resigned his post after questioning the autonomy of the jury. The 2023 return of #TikTokShortFilm was much quieter. Up-and-coming filmmakers like Madalena Aragao and Shinichiro Ueda won top prizes in that competition, and TikTok’s announcement notes that the winners have gone on to work alongside major entertainment industry figures on TV, film, and web projects.

Three awards will be up for grabs at the #TikTokShortFilm ceremony in 2024. At the Festival De Cannes (commonly referred to as the Cannes Film Festival), TikTok will award €10,000 to a grand prize winner while paying €5,000 apiece to the contest’s top director and screenwriter.

TikTok is returning to Cannes after establishing a presence at Stateside film festivals. As movies like Saltburn became the talk of TikTok, the platform helped some cinephile creators hobnob with Hollywood elites at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

Submissions for #TikTokShortFilm are open from February 21 to March 15. The 2024 Cannes Film Festival begins on May 14.