Nikon, the world-renowned camera manufacturer, left the doors of creativity open when they asked the public to tell them about their day in 140 seconds or less visually. Biola University alumnus Adam Sjoberg ('07) is a finalist in the competition which is celebrating HD video within the Nikon D5000 camera.

Sjoberg's video, “I wanted there to be sun” charms viewers with the soft realistic tone and bright setting — Rio de Janeiro. He takes you on a journey through his day, truly letting his experiences and happenings lead the inspiration for the film. Currently living in New York as an international photographer and now filmmaker, he wasn't sure when he would have time to film an entry with his busy schedule. When Sjoberg was in Rio de Janeiro for another job in December, he took a few extra days to shoot the short film.

“Whenever I'm in a city that is foreign to me, I try to take everything in and capture that all through photos: the faces, the food, the warmth if its warm, the cold if it's cold,” said Sjoberg. “So I did that with this film. I just kind of let the city happen around me.”

Sjoberg was one of 50 entries chosen as a finalist for the Audience and Judges awards. The Audience award winner, selected through the most views and highest average ratings, will receive $25,000 and a Nikon D5000 D-SLR kit. The Judges award winner will be chosen by three judges, actor Rainn Wilson, blogger iJustine and photographer Chase Jarvis, based on the quality of the video, originality and the ability to capture the theme, “A Day Through Your Lens,” in 140 seconds. The winner of the Judges award will receive $100,000 and a Nikon D5000 D-SLR kit.

If Sjoberg wins, he will contribute his winnings towards a new project he is working on entitled, “Shake the Dust,” a documentary blog that will be cut into a final feature documentary focusing on b-boy and break dancing culture in countries across the globe.

“My project 'Shake the Dust' is a big passion of mine,” said Sjoberg. “I hope that this money will help me get a foundation under me where I can concentrate more of my time toward that documentary project as well as begin to fund it.”

View and rate Sjoberg's entry by clicking the stars above the video

Written by Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator. Jenna can be reached at (562) 777-4061 or through email at jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.