Animating culture – GIF IT UP is back and bigger than ever

This year we’re spending more of our lives online than ever before. The Internet is where we work, play and interact with others. Many of the reactions, comments, messages that we post contain GIFs – the short animations that compliment our conversations, convey reactions and let us quickly express ourselves.

So what better time to welcome back GIF IT UP, the annual GIF-making contest that brings together cultural heritage, creativity and fun. From 1–31 October, we’re calling on GIF-makers and cultural enthusiasts around the world to create new GIFs by remixing open access cultural heritage material.

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Going global with new content partners

This year, along with Europeana, Digital Public Library of America, Digital NZ and Trove, two new content partners are joining the fun – Japan Search, a platform giving access to digitised material from cultural institutions across Japan, and DAG Museums in Kolkata. So there’ll be more inspiring and diverse content to reuse and remix than ever before, and an opportunity for more people to join in.

via GIPHY

Bring some fun and culture to your video calls

Want to make your video calls, parties and family gatherings more fun? Then check out this year’s special GIPHY Backdrops competition category. Get your creative juices flowing and spice up these online meetings!

via GIPHY

How to participate

1. Find an inspiring piece of copyright-free or openly licensed material from Europeana, DPLA, Trove, DigitalNZ, Japan Search and DAG Museums

2. Create an awesome GIF (Don’t know how? No worries – we have lots of resources to get you started.)

3. Submit your GIF for a chance to win great prizes

4. Share your creation on social media using the hashtag #GIFITUP2020

via GIPHY

Follow the fun and spread the word

Visit the contest's GIPHY channel and follow #GIFITUP2020 on social media for a daily dose of digital art that will brighten your day. Share them with your friends and cheer on the creators! At the end of the competition, you’ll have a chance to vote for your favourite submissions and help them win the Public Choice Award. Find out more and submit your gif on the competition’s website.