Samsung Spotlight winners, picked by Normal People’s Paul Mescal from more than 300 entries, are Michael Lynch, Adrian Mujkanovic and Adeola Yemitan, whose entries were re-shot in 8K for Samsung’s new digital ads.
The initiative, launched in December 2020, was created to shine a spotlight on performing artists in the wake of the pandemic. Arts students and creators from the UK & Ireland submitted audition-style performances to Instagram for a chance to have their content reshot in 8K video and to star in a new digital advert.
In Lynch’s comedic entry Mime, the 25-year-old from Southend-on-Sea performs a mime act along his local beachfront inspired by the change following the impact of the pandemic. 23-year-old Mujkanovic’s contemporary dance performance explores locations throughout Dublin, something he hasn’t had the opportunity to do since he arrived in the city pre-lockdown. Yemitan’s Mystery explores the idea of finding joy in the wake of COVID-19 and sees the London-based performer recite a piece of spoken word of her own creation.
All three films were shot with Samsung Galaxy S20, in ultra-high 8K definition, to create online adverts which will be shared across Samsung’s digital channels, and each will receive a £5,000 cash prize, a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra device, a QLED 8K TV and a virtual meet–and-greet with Paul Mescal.