SkyPixel's Eleventh Annual Contest: A Global Celebration of Aerial and Handheld Visual Storytelling

The eleventh iteration of the SkyPixel Photo and Video Contest, a collaborative effort between DJI and SkyPixel, aims to recognize and reward exceptional talent in visual arts. This global competition serves as a platform for creators to share their unique perspectives captured through both aerial and handheld imaging technologies, offering substantial prizes and recognition within the industry.

Elevate Your Vision: Capture the World with SkyPixel and DJI

An Overview of the Prestigious SkyPixel Competition

The esteemed collaboration between DJI, a leader in drone technology, and SkyPixel, a vibrant online hub for aerial photographers and videographers, has once again launched its annual photo and video competition. Now in its eleventh year, this event boasts an impressive total prize fund exceeding $200,000, providing an exceptional opportunity for visual artists to gain significant awards and industry recognition.

Guidelines for Aerial Photography Submissions

This year's competition challenges artists to "Frame the World" using a blend of aerial and ground-based imaging techniques. For the photography segment, submissions must exclusively feature aerial content captured with specific DJI drone models. These include popular series such as Inspire, Mavic, Air, Mini, Phantom, Neo, and Flip drones, ensuring a high standard of aerial imagery.

Criteria for Aerial Videography Entries

The videography aspect of the SkyPixel contest encompasses both aerial and handheld categories. For aerial video entries, the duration should not exceed five minutes. A minimum of 30 seconds of the footage must originate from qualifying DJI products, including the aforementioned drone series, plus the Avata and DJI FPV. Furthermore, over half of the submitted video content must consist of aerial shots.

Requirements for Handheld Videography

The handheld videography section offers more flexibility regarding equipment. Entrants are required to use eligible DJI products for at least 30 seconds of their footage. This includes an array of devices like Ronin gimbals, Osmo Action, Osmo Pocket, Osmo Mobile, Osmo 360, and Osmo Nano, along with cinema cameras. A crucial stipulation is that more than 50% of the submission must comprise handheld footage.

Meet the Esteemed Panel of Judges

Consistent with previous years, this edition of the contest features a distinguished panel of leading photographers and videographers. The photography category will be assessed by experts such as outdoor photographer and filmmaker Jake Guzman, renowned landscape photographers Daniel Kordan and Jiang Ping, and Zhu Jiong, a curator and Professor from the School of Photography.

Recognized Experts in Videography Judging

On the videography side, the jury includes acclaimed cinematographer Wally Pfister, celebrated for his work on films like The Dark Knight and Inception. He is joined by Ryan Hosking, Director of Photography for Yellowstone, cinematographer and editor Zeng Jian, known for Blind Massage, and Benjamin Hardman, a natural history cinematographer who has contributed to platforms like Netflix, BBC, National Geographic, and Disney.

Details of Awards and Recognition

The 11th annual SkyPixel Photo and Video Contest is set to distribute a total of 53 awards, with the collective value of prizes surpassing $200,000. Grand prize recipients will receive a prestigious trophy and a SkyPixel Creator Contract. The overall winning photographer will be awarded a Hasselblad X2D II 100C Combo, valued at over $15,000. The top aerial video creator will take home a DJI Inspire 3 and Mavic 4 Pro combo, an impressive prize package worth more than $22,000. Additionally, the grand-prize winner in the handheld video category will receive a DJI Ronin 4D-8K cinema camera, valued at over $18,000. Comprehensive information about all available prizes can be found on the official SkyPixel website.

Submission Period and Platform Information

The submission window is currently open and will close on March 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM (UTC+8). Participants can submit their entries through the official SkyPixel website or via DJI's social media channels, making it accessible to a wide array of visual artists globally.

Seeking Inspiration from Past Achievements

For those looking for creative motivation, exploring the remarkable winning entries from the 10th annual SkyPixel Photo and Video Contest is highly recommended. These past winners offer a glimpse into the caliber of work celebrated by the competition and can provide valuable insights for prospective participants.