Mappi Map Animation Hackathon

We're hosting Vibe Code Animated Maps, an invite-only hackathon for builders, storytellers, and creative coders who want to push the boundaries of what an animated map can be. Over the course of the event, you'll use plain English to vibe-code stunning travel animation videos, 3D route maps, flight animations, and moving maps. No traditional motion graphics software required.

Spots are limited to roughly 10 participants, so every submission gets attention and every prompt matters. Register here to request your invite, or view the full listing on Devpost.

Event Details

• Date: May 24, 2026
• Location: South Plainfield Library, 2484 Plainfield Ave, South Plainfield, NJ 07080
• Format: Invite-only, capped at about 10 participants
• Eligibility: Above legal age of majority in country of residence
• Judging: 2 days after the submission deadline

About the Challenge

The hackathon is powered by VYDEO, an AI vibe-coding interface that turns plain English into motion graphics, and features Mappi Studio, the map animation maker behind some of the smoothest animated roads, flight map sequences, and train maps you've seen, now exposed through our brand-new API.

What makes this hackathon special

How to Get Started

1. Confirm your invite. The event is invite-only and capped at about 10 participants. If you got in, you're in.
2. Wait for the dedicated interface link. On the day of the hackathon, we'll send a private link to the VYDEO hackathon interface, where all submissions must be created.
3. Claim your credits. VYDEO credits are distributed the day of the hackathon. Watch your inbox and the event channel.
4. Start vibe-coding your map. Think road trips, flight paths, GPS-traced runs, multi-city tours, fictional fantasy maps, travel recap reels. Anything where geography meets motion.
5. Iterate on your prompt. Judges care a lot about prompt quality. Refine, remix, retry.
6. Submit before the deadline. Judging takes place 2 days after the submission deadline.

What to Build

Build an animated map video using the dedicated VYDEO hackathon interface, which calls the Mappi Studio map animation API under the hood to render the animated map itself. Your video can be anything, but it must be primarily a map animation. Some directions to consider:

• A travel animation video that recaps a real or imagined trip, with animated roads, route lines, and labeled stops.
• A flight animation showing a plane tracing a path between cities, with altitude, weather, or 3D terrain.
• A 3D route map of a hike, marathon, road trip, or commute. Bonus points for importing real GPS coordinates.
• A train map sequence showing a rail journey across a country or continent.
• A car animation following a driving route, with custom icons, points of interest, and timed callouts.
• A moving map intro for a YouTube channel, podcast, documentary, or product launch.
• Anything else where motion plus geography plus a clever prompt produces something memorable.

You must use VYDEO as your primary tool. Because VYDEO is a vibe-coding environment, you're free to layer in any additional npm libraries the interface allows. Go wild, but keep VYDEO at the center.

What to Submit

Every Devpost submission must include:

1. The full prompt you used inside the VYDEO hackathon interface to generate your video, submitted as plain text. Every word counts.
2. The final video of your animated map, uploaded or linked from your Devpost project page.
3. A short project description of a paragraph or two covering the concept and what made the prompt work.
4. (Optional but encouraged) A second prompt iteration showing how your prompt evolved, plus any GPS data, custom assets, or 3D models you brought in.

Judging Criteria

Judging will weigh:

• Smoothness and polish of the animation
• Creative and effective use of icons, labels, and 3D models
• Use of imported GPS coordinates or custom data
• Storytelling and emotional impact of the final video
• Quality, clarity, and inventiveness of your prompt

Prizes

One winner takes home motion graphic credits. Full prize details will be announced closer to the event.

Code of Conduct

All attendees, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and staff agree to the event Code of Conduct. Read it in full at vydeo-mappi-hackathon.notion.site. Organizers will enforce this Code throughout the event, and we expect full cooperation from every participant to keep the space safe and welcoming.

Ready to Build?

If you've got an invite, lock in your spot and start sketching prompts. Register here. We can't wait to see the maps you make.