Key Takeaways from the New York City Drone Film Festival
- The New York City Drone Film Festival is the world’s inaugural festival exclusively dedicated to aerial cinematography.
- Notable participants included Randy Scott Slavin, the festival’s founder, and multiple award-winning filmmakers.
- DJI proudly sponsored the event, showcasing the capabilities of drone technology in filmmaking.
- Winners across several categories highlighted the innovative use of DJI products in their award-winning films.
- The festival underscores the growing acceptance and excitement surrounding drone filmmaking as an artistic medium.
In February, a remarkable milestone in cinematic history unfolded at the Director’s Guild Theatre in New York City: the inaugural New York City Drone Film Festival (NYCDFF), the first of its kind solely dedicated to aerial cinematography. Proudly sponsored by DJI, this festival celebrated the creative brilliance of filmmakers who incorporated drone technology into their art.
To commemorate the event, we had the opportunity to engage with Randy Scott Slavin, the visionary behind the NYCDFF, along with three award-winning filmmakers whose entries captured the attention of audiences and judges alike.
A Passion for Aerial Cinematography
Randy Scott Slavin, a passionate aerial cinematographer and devoted DJI user, shared his inspiration for launching the festival. “I embarked on my journey in aerial cinematography using the original DJI Phantom. I would rise early to capture Manhattan’s beauty before the city woke up. My resulting film, Aerial NYC, garnered immense online popularity,” he recounted. “This overwhelming response spurred my interest in showcasing my work at a film festival.”
After a thorough search, Slavin found a lack of drone categories in existing festivals, prompting him to establish his own platform to highlight the unique storytelling potential drones offer. He expressed his vision, “Drones have faced significant PR challenges. I want this festival to demonstrate their incredible creative capacity.”
Celebrating the Winners
Following Slavin’s reflections, the spotlight turned to the festival’s winners in key categories: Dronie, Travel/Landscape, and Audience Choice. Each filmmaker showcased the unique capabilities of DJI products in their exceptional works.
Dronie Winner: Floating by Florian Fischer
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Filmed off the coast of Eleuthera in the Bahamas with a DJI Phantom 2, Floating explores the relationship between humanity and the vastness of nature. “The film conveys a journey from a distant perspective to a close-up of a person floating on the ocean’s surface, portraying feelings of solitude,” said Fischer. “Achieving this shot would have been impossible without a drone, allowing us to locate the individual in a way that traditional methods never could.”
Travel/Landscape Winner: Koh Yao Noi by Philip Bloom
Independent filmmaker Philip Bloom revealed that his award-winning piece was born out of spontaneity during a holiday in Thailand. Initially intending to use his DJI Phantom 2 sparingly, Bloom quickly realized the breathtaking potential of aerial perspectives, leading to an exhilarating filming experience. “One of my favorite moments was capturing local children running alongside my drone, captivated by its presence,” he recalled. “It became one of my favorite films to date in my 25-year career.”
Audience Choice Winner: MEX Airport by Tarcisio Sañudo
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Aerial videographer Tarcisio Sañudo crafted MEX Airport in collaboration with the Mexican Aerospace Navigation Services (SENEAM) for a special anniversary event. Filming under unique permissions, Sañudo navigated the complexities of shooting at a busy airport, stating, “This opportunity turned out to be one of the most enriching experiences of my life, facilitated by my DJI F450.”
DJI encourages filmmakers and creators to remain mindful of local regulations and practice safe flying when utilizing drone technology in their projects.
Excitement is already building for next year’s festival, with submissions for the 2016 event set to open in August. Enthusiasts, filmmakers, and fans alike are eagerly anticipating another celebration of creativity in aerial cinematography!
