OPPO and Discovery Launch Filmmaker Accelerator Program for Emerging Creators in India

-Kabir Jain

Published: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 7:30 [IST]

OPPO India has announced a new Filmmaker Accelerator Program in partnership with Discovery, aimed at supporting emerging creators and mobile storytellers across the country.

The initiative has been launched under the company’s new OPPO LUMO Creator Program, which focuses on helping young creators build storytelling and filmmaking skills using smartphones.

OPPO Wants to Push Mobile Storytelling Further

The new contest is part of OPPO’s ongoing “Culture in a Shot” initiative, which is now entering its third year.

This year’s theme is called “Meet Culture Anew, Make Your Moment,” and the focus is on capturing how culture is experienced and expressed in everyday life rather than simply documenting traditions.

OPPO says the idea is to encourage creators to tell more personal and authentic local stories through short-form video content.

The company is also leaning heavily on its imaging technology and AI-powered camera features as part of the larger creator push.

Filmmaker Accelerator Program Offers Mentorship and Rewards

At the center of the partnership is the Filmmaker Accelerator Program itself, which is designed to help emerging creators turn their ideas into cinematic short-form stories.

Selected participants will receive mentorship from professionals across storytelling, filming, and post-production.

OPPO says creators will also get access to its latest smartphones during the process.

The company has confirmed that one winner will receive a ₹5 lakh cash prize along with an OPPO Find X9 Ultra smartphone. The winner will also get an opportunity to direct a collaborative short film with OPPO and Discovery later in 2026.

The top finalists will additionally receive recognition through OPPO India’s social platforms and official contest channels.

Contest Runs Until July 15

The contest officially opened on May 5 and submissions will remain open until July 15, 2026.

Participants need to upload original short-form videos through public Instagram profiles using hashtags including #OPPOxDiscovery, #CultureInAShot, and #ShotOnOPPO.

Videos must be between 30 seconds and 10 minutes long and can be shot using any smartphone.

According to OPPO, entries will be judged based on originality, cultural relevance, visual quality, creativity, and emotional impact.

The final winners are expected to be announced on July 30.

OPPO Also Expands Its Creator Ecosystem

Alongside the filmmaking initiative, OPPO has also launched a new #SuperFestivalMoment campaign focused on regional storytelling around Indian festivals.

The company says the campaign will highlight how festivals are celebrated differently across communities while also showcasing mobile photography and videography features.

OPPO has additionally opened submissions for the global OPPO Photography Awards 2026, which now includes a dedicated “Super Video” category for the first time.

The competition is open to Indian creators and includes a total prize pool of $76,500 across multiple categories.