Midway Through The Event: SkyPixel’s 11th Annual Contest Draws More Than 45,000 Entries

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Emmy winners and world-renowned directors join the fray to win prize packages totalling $200,000; Call for submissions closes March 10, 2026

DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, and SkyPixel, one of the world's most popular online communities for aerial photography and videography, today reveals more than 45,000 submissions worldwide have already been received for the 11th annual SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest. This year’s competition has not only attracted enthusiasts but has also become a heavyweight professional showcase, featuring entries from Emmy winners and world-renowned directors.

The call for submissions using aerial and handheld cameras was opened on November 27 last year. Photographers and videographers can still enter their visual creations through March 10, 2026, for a chance to win one of 53 different awards, with prizes totalling almost $200,000 USD.

More Than a Contest: A Global Creative Hub

The SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest has evolved over the past 11 years from a simple aerial photography competition to become an “incubator” for emerging photographers. Today, it is one of the world’s most influential imaging events, documenting and propelling the evolution of photography: from an early focus on visually stunning "God's-eye views" and natural wonders to exploring deep narratives about urban symbiosis, introspection, and societal shifts. Through DJI’s commitment to innovation, more creators have access to creative camera technology–from aerial filming with camera drones to the POV perspectives with the wearable Osmo Nano and full-circle views with Osmo 360–needed to achieve true creative freedom to capture the world from the sky to the Earth.

Featured Submissions: Resonance and Philosophy Through the Lens

Under the SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest theme, “Frame Your World,” creators have been encouraged to use their camera lens to observe the world and express themselves. Here are some of the notable photos and videos that have been submitted to date:

Photography: Frozen Dialogues Between Heaven and Earth

• "Education on the Ice of Lake Çıldır" by İsmail Kaplan: Captures children studying on a frozen lake amidst a harsh winter. Judge Jiang Ping, former Chief Photographer of Chinese National Geography, praised the contrast of warm and cold colors. At the same time, Professor Zhu Jiong of the Beijing Film Academy’s School of Visual Media and Communications called the "nature classroom" incredible.
  
  
  
• "Gate to the North" by Filip Hrebenda: An aerial view of Iceland’s alien-like landscape. Judge Daniel Kordan noted the piece is a perfect example of "patience paying off," highlighting the unique perspective and quiet rhythm of the neon-colored atmosphere.
  
  
  
• "Confluence of Elements" by Jabi Sanz: A stunning capture of glacial rivers, volcanic sand, and tundra. The judging panel highly praised the sharp visual impact and exquisite color palette.
  
  
  
• "Earth in Motion" by Andrea Caruso: An abstract aerial "painting" of Icelandic braided rivers. Judge Daniel Kordan remarked that top-tier aerial photography isn't about height, but about revealing an order in nature invisible from the ground.
  
  
  
  Video: Poetry in Motion
  
• "Iceland's Highlands from a Puffin's View" by Dennis Schmelz: A visual poem blending childhood memories with wilderness exploration. Ryan Hosking, Aerial Director of Photography for Yellowstone, described the composition of blue-green water and dark lava as "exquisite."
  
  
  
• "Drone Cinematography" by Boyan Ortse: A masterclass in technique using the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, Inspire 3, and FPV O3 systems. Every frame is meticulously constructed to present the Earth’s raw poetry.
  
  
  
• "Eden After" by KM-DC: An "Earth Art" film featuring a 1,080-square-meter installation in a restored mining pit. Judge Benjamin Hardman praised the emotional storytelling and cinematic texture.
  
  
  
• "Always in Flow" by Alen Tkalčec, Emmy award-winning filmmaker: A visual journey through chaos and tranquility. Judge Benjamin noted the creative use of the DJI RS 4 Mini combined with aerial shots to create profound depth.
  
  
  

Contest Awards and Submission Guidelines

SkyPixel and DJI will award three Grand Prizes and give away more than 53 prizes throughout the competition, totaling over $200,000 USD.

• Grand Prizes: Winners of the Annual Best Aerial Video and Photo will win prize packages featuring products, such as the DJI Inspire 3, DJI Mavic 4 Pro, Ronin 4D-8K, and Hasselblad X2D II 100C. They will also be offered a direct SkyPixel Creator Contract.
  
  
• Top 10 Video/Photos and People’s Choice: Winners will win prizes such as the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, DJI Avata 2, DJI Air 3S, and Osmo Pocket 3.
  
  
• Participation Reward: All entrants are eligible to win DJI Credits for purchases on store.dji.com. (However, participants must reside in a country or region where anofficial DJI online store is available
  

Creators can submit entries directly through SkyPixel or via social media by tagging DJI Official on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, or X and using the hashtags #skypixel and #djiosmo. Participants can compete in multiple categories. There is no limit to the number of entries that can be submitted.

Key Dates:

• Submission Deadline: March 10, 2026, 23:59 (CST)
  
• Winners Announced: April 27, 2026, 12:00 (CST)

Learn more and submit your work now at: https://www.skypixel.com/contests/2025