ShortTake is your weekly FYP from The Shorty Awards for quick, new and thought-challenging takes on culture, creativity and TLDR. Things that need a closer look and things that need a completely different perspective.
VidCon 2025
VidCon lands in Anaheim June 19 - 21, and it’s growing up, fast. With creator ad revenue expected to surpass traditional media this year, the Industry Track is now bursting with pitch-ready creators, brand talks, and growth strategies. Cosplay still exists, but the real power moves are closed-door. Toolbox essentials: How to price, scale, and partner—live.
Cannes Lions: Where Creators Can (Finally) Pop the Champagne
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is embracing creators as co-creators, not afterthoughts. This year, creators aren’t just invited—they’re awarded. With a full Creator Track, awards contenders, and panels rethinking AI-human collaboration, Cannes is sending a signal: creators are essential. Translation: don’t expect 2025’s best case studies without creators at the helm.
Industry Coverage & Expectations
No Kings Massive Turnout: Beyond Algorithms, Into Action
The “No Kings” protests saw millions mobilize across ~2,000 U.S. cities this weekend—marking one of the largest single-day protests in U.S. history . Powered by decentralized coordination on Reddit, encrypted chats, Discord, and QR poster campaigns, this wasn’t algorithm-driven—it was human-driven. Lesson for event creators and community builders: purpose + peer networks >>> polished feeds.
