TikTok has announced this year it will host the third annual #TikTokShortFilm competition, following its wider partnership with Cannes Film Festival, which gave TikTok creators a chance to make their short films and to be discovered by more than 1 billion people around the world.
According to TikTok:

From February 21st to March 15th, 2024, we invite creators to participate in the competition by submitting their original 1min+ videos in TikTok's signature vertical format using the hashtags #TikTokShortFilm and #TikTokShortFilmCompetition. Winners in three categories: Grand Gagnant, Best Script, and Best Directing. Determined by a jury to consist of an internationally recognized panel, the winners are to be invited by TikTok to present their work and receive their prizes in the #TikTokShortFilm ceremony to be held in Cannes (France), along with the 77th Festival de Cannes.

Even more interesting is that the video should be in a vertical format, considering the fact that TikTok has recently made a push to include more landscape videos in the application.

The Grand Winner will take home 10,000€ (about $US10,700) while Best Script and Best Directing winners will walk home with 5,000€ ($US 5,350) to push forward their projects.

For the first time this year, US creators will be allowed to participate, which means the pool of talent that will be available for the festival will increase, along with the opportunities for budding filmmakers.

TikTok states that several past winners and participants have gone on to kick-start their careers in the film industry with the short format providing an excellent showcase for emerging talent.

"Over the past year, more than 2 million videos have been created globally with the hashtag #TikTokShortFilm, which saw an increase of almost 180% in videos created compared to 2022."

This is also a good way for TikTok to get more creative content into its app by putting increased emphasis on exposure and opportunity for aspiring film creators.

It might be your way into the first entry into the movie world, possibly building an audience through your work. And to the brands, it may also be a way as potential creators whom you might like to collaborate on future in-app promotions.