FREE ENTRY / Be Still Media Foundation - #2 What Makes Us Human?

#2 What Makes Us Human?

We live in a new era of integration between man and machine. Artificial intelligence poses a new norm, radically inserted into our daily lives. From influencing our behaviors to replacing us at work, it seems sci-fi has suddenly morphed into reality. Problem-solving has become the errand of algorithms, not people, so technically, we no longer have to think for ourselves. Is there a problem with this? What if we resist these default settings and think deeply to stake a claim on those things that make us uniquely human?

In the coming months and with renewed purpose, we will promote qualities that are distinctively human. We hope you will come along on this joint exploration, embracing our humanity, with beauty, clarity, and conviction. The Prompt

Simon Reeve spent a troubled and violent youth, ‘bouncing along the bottom for a long time,’ with anxiety, depression and an overall sense of lostness. As a teen, he stood at the end of a bridge, intending to jump. But instead, at the crucial moment, he stepped back. The fear of ending was stronger than the fear of going on.

Desperate and needing money, he applied for public assistance and found himself confiding to a jobs clerk that he was totally lost and didn’t know what to do. The kind stranger told him to ‘Take everything slowly, step-by-step.’

Those simple few words stuck with him and the wayward teen from the edges of inner-city London found himself following her advice. Step-by-step his life slowly changed: from an entry level job in a newspaper mailroom, to investigative journalist and terrorism expert, to today’s intrepid story-teller across the world for the BBC.

By rejecting the fear of ending and embracing the hope of a new beginning, Simon Reeve shows us a quality that is distinctly human.

As artists, how can we likewise lean into our own humanity, to “embrace life and take chances on planet earth, ‘cos it’s the only way to feel alive.”?

We host quarterly competitions with $15,000 USD in prize awards:

1st place $6,000 2nd place $4,000 3rd place $3,000 *People’s choice* $2,000

*The public will determine the people’s choice prize by electronic voting

NEW DEADLINE: December 16th, 2023 7:00PM EST

We want the prompt to spark the imagination and not tell you what to do. If you need direction, consider these steps:

1.Read (The prompt) 2.Reflect (Take a walk, ponder, imagine) 3.Respond (Engage. Create art that relates to the prompt)

The target audience, tone, and medium is up to you – We look forward to receiving your entry!

The Rules

When is the deadline?

Our competitions are held quarterly (4 times per year)

Our next competition starts October 1st 2023. Submission deadline is December 16th, 2023 7:00PM EST. We welcome early submissions!

Who Can Enter?

We welcome all artists. Individuals or teams can apply. Prize money will be awarded per entry not per person.

What kinds of work can I submit?

If you can upload it, we accept it! We accept ALL kinds of media and arts including:

-Animation and Design -Dance -Fine Arts and Installation -Music and Song -Poetry and Prose -Video and Photography

It should be:

• Original work that engages the prompt
• Any licensed or stock material must be attributed
• Works that have not been monetized on other platforms
• Works that are no longer than five minutes

How should my work be submitted?

You must be able to link your entry to a URL. Upload your work on a website or hosting service such as Vimeo, Dropbox, Google drive, portfolio, or any URL that is easily accessible and please make sure the link is public before submitting.

You can link your work straight to your portfolio. Just be sure the URL links straight to your submission, so it's easy for us to find.

Recommended format in a Google drive or dropbox folder:

– Artwork – Cover art – Artist statement: title, creative process, explanation on how your submission relates to the prompt; details if applicable (dimensions/medium)

How will my work be judged?

By our Be Still Media team that includes our team of incentivizors.

• They will judge much like critics evaluate music, film, literature, etc.
• They will consider the quality of the work based on how it impacts them (ie. creativity, storytelling).
• They will consider how the idea responds to the prompt.

For more frequently asked questions visit our FAQ page.