Radiohead has a long history of involvment with animation. Several of some of our favorite music videos such as the one for "Paranoid Android" and "Knives Out" were done using animation. aniBoom figured it was the perfect match - our talented community of animators and their inspirational and unique music.

So we set to it and started by looking for great storyboard ideas. Entrants were asked to create storyboards for what would become one minute animated music videos for one of Radiohead's In Rainbows album songs. Just like in a typical pitch process, creators would give us an abbreviated version of their vision for their chosen Radiohead song. 900 submissions were made. Some as simple as a black and white image slideshow, others already partly animated.

Finally we moved on to Stage 2. Ten storyboards were advanced forward and paid to create one minute video clips. Meanwhile the community continued creating in hopes of receiving one golden ticket from our judges to possibly make it to the finals and be seen by Radiohead. A total of two hundred thirty six video clips were submitted to aniBoom's In Rainbows Animated Video Competition, judged by Radiohead. Out of 236 clips, 5 were finally selected as finalists. With $10,000 up for grabs, Radiohead stepped in and decided to throw an extra $30,000 into the pot so that three more finalists could complete their videos.

From stop-motion to 3D and everything in between, we received a lot of amazing and visionary ideas. Kota and Totori created an Anime style video for Radiohead's song "15 Steps", an energetic video in which a little boy runs around the city.

As we get ready to premier the final videos, enjoy this picture of them meeting Thom Yorke during his Japanese tour with the band! Congrats again, Kota and Totori!

Watch their video: "15 Steps"
Go to the Radiohead Competition Page