New Delhi: OPPO India on Monday announced the launch of the Filmmaker Accelerator Program in collaboration with Discovery, aimed at supporting emerging creators in India through mobile storytelling, mentorship and recognition.

The initiative has been introduced under the OPPO LUMO Creator Program, a creator-focused platform designed to accelerate mobile creativity, particularly among micro and nano creators, the company said.

Marking the third year of the “Culture in a Shot” initiative, the 2026 edition carries the theme “Meet Culture Anew, Make Your Moment.” Creators across India have been invited to produce short-form videos rooted in authentic local stories, reflecting how culture is lived, expressed and reimagined in everyday life.

OPPO said the Filmmaker Accelerator Program is designed to help emerging storytellers transform culturally rooted ideas into cinematic narratives. The programme will provide mentorship from industry professionals in storytelling, filming and post-production, along with grants and access to OPPO devices.

Winners will receive certificates, recognition across OPPO India's digital platforms, premium smartphones, and opportunities for long-term collaboration, the company said.

Goldee Patnaik, Head of Communications at OPPO India, said the company believes technology should empower individuals to tell meaningful stories. She said the collaboration with Discovery aims to celebrate authentic human experiences and provide opportunities for young creators to showcase India's cultural diversity through mobile filmmaking.

Vikram Channa, Vice President, Co-Lead and Editorial Chief at Warner Bros. Discovery, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to nurturing emerging storytellers and bringing culturally relevant stories to wider audiences.

The contest opened on May 5, 2026 and will close on July 15, 2026. Entries must be submitted via public Instagram accounts as reels or video posts using designated hashtags. Participants must be Indian residents aged 18 years and above. Submissions should be original videos between 30 seconds and 10 minutes, shot on any smartphone.

A shortlist of 10 creators will be selected, followed by final evaluation by Channa. Entries will be judged on cultural relevance, originality, visual quality, creativity and emotional impact.

Winners will be announced on July 30, 2026. The selected winner will receive ₹5 lakh, an OPPO Find X9 Ultra smartphone, an official certificate, and an opportunity to direct a collaborative short film with OPPO and Discovery in the second half of 2026.

Separately, OPPO also announced the continuation of its #SuperFestivalMoment campaign, which highlights regional festivals through local narratives and showcases AI-powered imaging capabilities in festive settings.

The company further said that its OPPO Photography Awards 2026 are open to creators in India and other markets, introducing a new Super Video category alongside existing categories. The global awards carry a total prize pool of US$76,500 across multiple recognitions. Indian creators may submit entries captured on OPPO devices until December 31, 2026.