Samsung Spotlight Winners Showcase Their Talent via the Power of 8K Video

LONDON, UK – 26^th February, 2021 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd today announced the winners of the Samsung Spotlight competition. The initiative, which was launched by Samsung UK in December 2020, was created to support performing artists in the wake of the pandemic, offering them a platform to showcase their skills to the nation.  

Samsung encouraged arts students and creators from the UK & Ireland to film and submit audition-style performances to Instagram using #SamsungSpotlight, to shine a spotlight on those who had lost their stage due to COVID-19.

The winners were selected by Samsung Spotlight collaborator, Paul Mescal, who inspired entries through his contemporary dance routine titled ‘Lockdown’, all shot with Samsung Galaxy S20 in ultra-high 8K definition.

The winners, Michael Lynch, Adrian Mujkanovic and Adeola Yemitan were selected from over 300 entries and truly brought to life the spirit of the project crafting films which celebrated creativity and uniqueness during the pandemic.

Michael Lynch’s comedic entry ‘Mime’ sees the 25-year-old from Southend-on-Sea performing a mime act along his local beachfront inspired by the change following the impact of the pandemic.

On his entry Lynch said:

“When I heard the word mime in the initial call-out, I knew I wanted to create within that art form. I spent two days in my room writing, making noises into a microphone and dancing in the mirror. It was very therapeutic and became a means to combat the self-doubt.”

“I constructed the piece around anything that gave me joy – from seagulls and hammy radio voices to imaginary dogs, I wanted to generate a sense of levity – to create something daft and choreograph it with care.”

Adrian Mujkanovic’s contemporary dance performance sees the 23-year-old exploring locations throughout Dublin, something he hasn’t had the opportunity to do since he arrived in the city pre-lockdown.

Commenting on his entry Mujkanovic said:  

“I came from Croatia to Dublin with a desire to study and explore but with the restrictions in place now, I feel as though I have been put in the exact opposite situation. As a result, I needed to get out and explore with my entry.  Life doesn’t always happen in front of a computer screen; it happens beyond the walls of our rooms and this initiative reminded me of that.” 

Adeola Yemitan’s playful entry ‘Mystery’ explores the idea of finding joy in the wake of COVID-19 and sees the London-based performer recite a piece of spoken word of her own creation. 

Discussing her entry Yemitan said:  

“I had been thinking a lot about the beauty in the things that we perceive to be mundane, and how, when everything was open, we didn’t feel the need to stop and take notice as we could rely on everything bright and busy to keep us entertained.” 

“But the state of the world as it is requires us to slow down and be present, to discover new joy in what we once thought to be inconsequential, if we hope to not just survive this pandemic, but in our own unique ways, thrive.” 

All three films were shot with Samsung Galaxy S20, in ultra-high 8K definition, to create striking online adverts which will be shared across the nation, widely showcasing the incredible talent of the creators.

Tom Morey, Director of Corporate Marketing at Samsung UK said: “We’re delighted with our three winners who presented a fantastic variety of skills and talent across mime, dance and spoken word. 

Following the events of 2020 and impact on the arts industry, Samsung wanted to provide a platform for emerging performers across the UK and Ireland and are pleased that the initiative inspired so many artists to showcase their amazing talents.”

For more information on Samsung Spotlight and the three winners visit: http://www.samsung.com/uk/explore/kings-cross/creativity/samsung-spotlight/

*All three winners’ videos will be displayed across Samsung’s digital channels, and they will receive a £5,000 cash prize, a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra device, a QLED 8K TV and a virtual meet–and-greet with Paul Mescal.