In Frankfurt, Germany, the French car manufacturer Peugeot announced the winner of its 2019 drone film festival. The film “Calçada Portuguesa” by Bernardo Bacalhau was selected by the jury, featuring stunts on a BMX bike combined with aerial cinematography in Lisbon, Portugal. Bacalhau beat over 800 competitors to win the grand prize, which included DJI equipment, Peugeot Traveler MPVs for travelling, and 5,000 euros for his next adventure. The festival was co-sponsored by DJI and luxury hotel Jumeirah Frankfurt.
Steffen Raschig, Managing Director of Peugeot Germany, expressed his satisfaction with the overwhelming number of filmmakers from around the world who participated in the festival. The jury faced a challenge in choosing a winner from the numerous submissions, but they found Bernardo Bacalhau’s “Calçada Portuguesa” to be a worthy recipient. The film showcases the decorative cobblestones in Lisbon, with BMX artist Matthias Dandois performing stunts against this backdrop.
According to Barbara Stelzner, Director of Marketing & Corporate Communication for DJI Europe, Bacalhau’s film is a prime example of how drone technology can inspire creative thinking in an innovative way. The grand prize aims to provide the winner with the necessary resources to plan their next creative adventure. With over 800 submissions from 30 countries in categories such as “Landscape”, “Sports”, “Experimental”, and “Story Telling”, the festival required a certain percentage of drone footage in each category.
The jury of the festival included notable figures such as Barbara Stelzner, Director of Marketing & Corporate Communication for DJI Europe, and actors and directors in the film industry. Malek Murison, a freelance writer and editor focused on tech trends and innovation, provided coverage of the festival.