Canon’s $100,000 First Cut contest returns to help creators fund their dream projects

Canon is putting another $100,000 straight into creators’ hands to help them bring their dream projects to life.

Last year, Canon introduced its First Cut Contest, which called on digital content creators and filmmakers to submit a video pitch for the project they would make if they had proper production support and funding.

Winners Braxton Haugen, Jazzy Hawley, Zahra Hussain, and Josiah Selvig each took home $25,000 by impressing Canon (and pro creator judges Colin & Samir, Josh Richards, Michelle Khare, and Rory Kramer) with ambitious glimpses at the stories they wanted to tell.

Hussain, for example, sent in a VFX showcase short film where a woman is captivated–and maybe even captured–by a mysterious old TV she finds on the street. Hawley offered a trailer for Edge of the Lot

, her “Superbad meets Gossip Girl with a small-town twist” coming-of-age comedy series based on her experiences growing up in Mariposa, California.

Now, First Cut is back–and giving creators an even greater chance to shine.

Canon wants video content-makers to send in their “boldest pitch yet”: a one- to three-minute video that goes beyond the typical and gives judges a taste of their unique perspective, cinematography, and storytelling skill.

Just like last year’s competition, all submissions must be posted publicly to YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

Canon will bring 12 finalists to Los Angeles for a grand premiere hosted by Remi Parsons. Each finalist will see their pitch aired on the big screen and receive an “ultimate creator kit” containing Canon’s EOS R50 V camera, an RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ lens, a DM-E100 stereo microphone, and an HG-200TBR tripod grip.

But unlike last year, First Cut 2026 will sort submissions into four categories, “each built for a different kind of storyteller,” it says.

The categories are:

1. Cinematic Narrative (judged by Anna Sitar)
2. Action-Adventure (judged by Zach King)
3. Documentary (judged by Sam Newton)
4. and Lifestyle/Vlog (judged by Eva Gutowski)

One winner from each category will get $25,000 in funding and an hourlong mentorship session with one of the judges.

“We’re thrilled to host the second year of the Canon First Cut Contest and work with our fantastic panel of creator judges,” Kevin McCarthy, Canon USA’s Senior Marketing Director, says. “Canon is always looking for ways to empower our customers to express their creative vision through video, whether that’s a narrative short film, a documentary exploration, or stories from their own lives. We designed this contest for creators to show us their boldest ideas yet, and we’re looking forward to seeing the imagination and creativity displayed in the submissions this year.”

Submissions for Canon First Cut 2026 open Oct. 8 and close Nov. 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. To be considered, creators must both fill out the form here AND post their video on YouTube, TikTok, and/or Instagram. Make sure videos tag @canonusa and use the hashtag #canonfirstcutcontest.

Finalists will join Parsons, judges, and Canon in L.A. Dec. 8 to crown four winners and kickstart their projects’ production.

 

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