OPPO x Discovery Launches ‘Filmmaker Accelerator Program’ for emerging creators in India

~ Launched under ‘OPPO LUMO Creator Program’, the initiatives build pathways for young creators through mobile storytelling, mentorship and rewards ~

India, May 11th, 2026: OPPO India announced the Filmmaker Accelerator Program in collaboration with Discovery, a new initiative for emerging Indian creators. Powered by OPPO’s human-centred imaging technology, LUMO Image Engine-the first-of-its-kind contest aims to discover and nurture young talent through mobile visual storytelling.

Marking the third year of ‘Culture in a Shot’ initiative, creators across India are invited to produce short-form videos rooted in authentic local stories, capturing how culture is lived, expressed, and reimagined every day under the contest theme ‘Meet Culture Anew, Make Your Moment’.

From Capturing Culture to Enabling Cultural Expression

Building on previous themes Portraits of Legacy and Celebrate the Moment, the theme of 2026 edition “Meet Culture Anew, Make Your Moment” turns toward culture as a living and evolving experience shaped through everyday moments of connection, creativity, and expression.

In an increasingly connected world, culture is no longer defined solely by heritage or geography. Across short-form video, fashion, food, and everyday interactions, a new generation is redefining how culture is expressed—not only preserving it, but actively reshaping it through participation.

Rather than simply documenting tradition, today’s creators are engaging with culture in real time—interpreting, reshaping, and sharing it through their own perspectives. This shift is making cultural storytelling more immediate, diverse, and accessible than ever before.

On this occasion, OPPO India also launched a creator-first platform OPPO LUMO Creator Program-designed to accelerate the growing momentum of mobile creativity, especially among micro and nano creators across markets where smartphones are the primary tools of expression. OPPO India aims to introduce more such initiatives and opportunities under the program for young creators.

Filmmaker Accelerator: Expanding Pathways for New Generations of Creators

At the core of the partnership is the Filmmaker Accelerator Program, designed to help emerging storytellers turn culturally rooted ideas into cinematic narratives. Jointly launched by OPPO x Discovery, the program provides end-to-end exclusive mentorship from industry professionals across storytelling, filming and post-production, along with grants and access to OPPO’s latest devices. Winners will receive certificates, recognition across OPPO India’s social platforms and OPPO x Discovery contest Website, OPPO premium smartphones, and opportunities for long-term collaboration with OPPO India. Watch here Filmmaker Accelerator Program Film.

Commenting on the occasion, Goldee Patnaik, Head of Communications at OPPO India said “At OPPO, we believe technology should empower people to tell stories that matter. As we enter our third year of collaboration with Discovery, our shared vision of celebrating authentic human stories continues to grow stronger. Through our newly introduced LUMO Creator Program, we are creating meaningful opportunities for young creators to showcase India’s cultural richness through cinematic storytelling. ‘Culture in a Shot’ reflects our belief that culture is living, evolving, and best expressed through real people and everyday moments. With the introduction of a dedicated video category this year, we aim to inspire a new generation of creators to tell powerful stories through short-form visual content and share them with the world.”

Vikram Channa, Vice President, Co-Lead, and Editorial Chief at Warner Bros. Discovery said, “Discovery has always championed authentic stories that spark curiosity, inspire connection, and celebrate the diversity of human experiences. Our continued partnership with OPPO India reflects a shared commitment to nurturing emerging storytellers who can capture culture through fresh, meaningful perspectives. We look forward to strengthening this long-term collaboration, discovering new creative voices, and helping take their stories from India to audiences around the world.”

Contest Details:

The contest opens May 5, 2026 and closes July 15, 2026. Entries must be submitted via public Instagram profiles as reels or video posts using the hashtags #OPPOxDiscovery #CultureInAShot #ShotOnOPPO.

Participants must be Indian residents aged 18 years or above. Entries should be original video works between 30 seconds and 10 minutes, shot on any smartphone. A shortlist of Top 10 creators will be selected, followed by final winner selection by Vikram Channa, Vice President, Co-Lead, and Editorial Chief at Warner Bros. Discovery. Entries will be judged on cultural relevance and thematic alignment, visual aesthetics and shooting quality, originality and creativity, as well as emotional impact and authentic cultural expression.

Recognition & Rewards

   –  Winners will be officially announced on July 30, 2026 via OPPO India’s Instagram channels.

   –  One talented Winner will receive an exclusive opportunity to direct a collaborative short film with OPPO x Discovery during the H2 2026.

   –  The winner will also receive a cash prize of ₹5,00,000 along with a brand-new OPPO Find X9 Ultra smartphone.

   –  The winner will get a OPPO x Discovery Certificate.

Through the initiative, OPPO and Discovery aim to empower creators to document and share their unique cultural stories, celebrating culture diversity through the voices of its next generation of creators. View details Contest details.

Celebrating #SuperFestivalMoment

Additionally, OPPO India also kick-started its new #SuperFestivalMoment campaign-an always-on cultural storytelling platform celebrating India’s vibrant festivals through regionally rooted creators and local narratives. Beginning with Holi and continuing through Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Poila Boishakh, Puthandu, Bihu and Baisakhi, the campaign captures how every festival is uniquely expressed across communities while showcasing OPPO’s AI-powered imaging in real-time festive environments through #CultureInAShot.

Global OPPO Photography Awards 2026 Also Open to Indian Creators

In addition, OPPO also announced the return of its global OPPO Photography Awards 2026, which is open to creators from India and other regional markets. This year’s edition introduces a new Super Video category alongside Journey, Me, Live, Snap, and Super Zoom, with a total prize pool of US$76,500 across 38 awards and recognitions.

Marking the first dedicated video category in OPPO Photography Awards history, the Super Video category aims to highlight the growing influence of video alongside photography as a distinct medium for mobile storytelling. With life’s meaningful moments taking place not only in static frames but the dynamic motion and emotions that unfold between them, OPPO is empowering storytellers from all walks of life to capture this motion through the latest innovations in mobile videography. Building on its longstanding focus on video, OPPO continues to deliver industry-leading capabilities across its product portfolio, enabling both enthusiasts and professionals to fully embrace the fun of creation.

Indian creators can submit photo and video entries captured on OPPO devices through the official OPPO Photography Awards platform until December 31, 2026, gaining an opportunity to showcase their work on a global stage.