When it comes to video contests, I’m a “cash prize” kind of guy.  I almost never go after contests that offer free trips or cars or ipads.  (which is kind of weird since I love to travel and I could really use an ipad)  But about two years ago a tech company hooked me and some friends up with a free trip to Amsterdam so we could hold a screening and party for a documentary I directed.   And I’ll tell you, going on a free trip so that you can attend a screening of a film you made is like the most pimp-tastic thing in the world.  You get to stay at a fancy hotel and everyone keeps telling you how much they like your work and  the sponsors set up tours for you and they take you to great restaurants and they get you drunk and by the end of the trip you’ve made a bunch of great new friends for life.  It’s a pretty awesome experience.

If I sound a little nostalgic it’s because I just watched this video that was shot by some of the winners of Mofilm’s Barcelona competition.  If you’re not familiar with how Mofilm works they set up video contests in conjunction with major film festivals or media events and all the top winners get trips to the festival as well as cash prizes. The Mofilm experience looks pretty crazy and I think for sure I’ll have to do a submission or two for one of their new contests this summer.  Check it out:

Mofilm HQ is in the UK which explains why that one dude got a call at 3AM.  But they had to realize they’d be calling the US in the middle of the night.  Couldn’t they have waited a few hours to tell that guy the good news?