DJI teams Up with EpicTV for Drone Film Fest

It may sound like the next installment in the Star Wars universe, but Rise of the Drones is actually an epic new adventure in drone film.

A partnership with action-adventure sports channel EpicTV and UAV manufacturer DJI, the Rise film festival is now accepting submissions of the “very best in aerial footage of BMXing, climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skateboarding, skiing and snowboarding, as well as BASE jumping and wingsuit flying film” footage shot by UAVs. On Sept. 30, an expert panel, including include EpicTV Executive Producer Alan Sim, DJI’s Executive Creative Director Sheldon Schwartz and DJI European Marketing Director, Martin Brandenburg will review and judge the clips.

“We are very pleased to partner with EpicTV for the launch of the new Rise of the Drones Film Festival,” Brandenburg said. “DJI is very much at the heart of supporting established and new talents in the world of video production. Our partnership with EpicTV is another step toward showcasing our commitment in the drone industry.”

The bevy of high-flying films will be judged in categories such as Best Editing, Best Action, Best Continuous Shot and Best Overall Film. The Best Film award recipient will win a DJI Inspire 1 and $4,473 USD. Overall, winners will garner around $11,000 USD in cash prizes as well as more DJI swag.

VIP screenings will launch in London on Oct. 9 and in Chamonix on Oct. 10 for media and industry officials.

“Drones are becoming more and more part of the action sports filming landscape so it was a no-brainer for EpicTV to launch the first festival of its kind in partnership with DJI,” Sim said. “We are very excited to be part of the growing drone community and to provide such support to this new generation of filmmakers.”