Pink Floyd Launches Animated Music Video Competition

Pink Floyd has launched a new competition where up-and-coming animators can take part in producing an animated music video inspired by each of the ten songs from the group’s iconic The Dark Side of the Moon which is slated to release a new box set on March 24th.

One of the most iconic and influential albums ever, Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ continues to find new audiences globally. The album was partly developed during live performances, and the band premiered an early version of the suite at London’s Rainbow Theatre several months before recording began. ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ is the eighth studio album by Pink Floyd, originally released in the US on 1 March and then in the UK on 16th March 1973. The new material was recorded in 1972 and 1973 at EMI Studios (now Abbey Road studios) in London.

The iconic sleeve, which depicts a prism spectrum, was designed by Storm Thorgerson of Hipgnosis and drawn by George Hardie. ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ has sold over 50 million copies worldwide. The new deluxe box set includes CD and gatefold vinyl of the new 2023 remastered studio album and Blu-Ray + DVD audio featuring the original 5.1 mix and remastered stereo versions. The set also includes additional new Blu-ray disc of Atmos mix plus CD and LP of ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon – Live At Wembley Empire Pool, London, 1974’.

Of course leave it to animators on Twitter to get all bent out of shape for lack of money, the terms of service noting that they own the rights to the music video (which is required to make sure YouTube doesn’t flag it anyway), and whatever else is a clear contradiction to fighting against capitalism on any other day. More info about the contest can be seen below after the video.

Pink Floyd is celebrating The Dark Side of the Moon 50th Anniversary release by inviting a new generation of animators to enter a competition to create music videos for any of the 10 songs on the iconic 1973 album.

Pink Floyd has a rich history of collaborating with animators from the beginnings of the band (Ian Emes, Gerald Scarfe etc.), and in some cases the visuals that accompany the songs have become synonymous with the music itself. The 50th Anniversary will be no exception. The band would like to give all animators an opportunity to present a fresh take on these timeless aural works.

Animators can enter up to 10 videos, one per song on the album. A winner will be selected from a panel of experts which will include Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, Aubrey ‘Po’ Powell (Pink Floyd’s creative director) and the BFI (British Film Institute). The deadline for submissions is November 30th 2023.

To enter The Dark Side of the Moon 50th Anniversary animated video competition and for more information go to https://www.pinkfloyd.com/competition/