Two rounds down, one to go!

🎬 Welcome to Lights, Camera, Insight!

For our final challenge on the road to Barcelona, you'll be working with a dataset built from publicly available movie data.

The dataset includes information about thousands of films, including:

• Genres
• Production companies
• Release dates
• Revenue
• Budgets
• Popularity
• Audience ratings
• And more

In this round, there isn't a single "right" answer. A movie can be a box office hit, a critical darling, or an incredible return on investment. The data can support multiple stories. Your job is to decide which one is worth telling.

 

🎯 Your Challenge

 

Use Power BI to answer the question:

 

What makes a movie successful? There is no single correct answer. The strongest entries will:

• Define success clearly
• Support conclusions with evidence
• Acknowledge tradeoffs and limitations
• Communicate findings honestly and responsibly

Remember: this is not a dashboard-building exercise - this is a data storytelling challenge.

 

📥 Download the Starter File

📊 Download the source CSV files

📈In Power BI, replace the file path in the Source step of the Source query (to manipulate the data)

🔍 Having issues? Check out the GitHub repository

 

✅ What You Can and Cannot Do

 

You CAN

• Clean and transform the provided data
• Create calculations and measures
• Build additional tables derived from the supplied dataset
• Use custom visuals
• Add images, logos, posters, and other visual assets
• Use movie posters, artwork, or images linked directly from the provided dataset
• Use AI tools to assist with design, accessibility, and report development

You CANNOT

• Add external datasets
• Join the dataset to IMDb, Wikipedia, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo, TMDB APIs, or any other outside source
• Bring in additional ratings, revenue data, reviews, awards data, or movie metadata not included in the provided files
• Use data obtained through web scraping
• Use any information that would materially change or enrich the underlying dataset

In short: You may enhance the presentation of the data. You may not enhance the data itself. All competitors should be working from the same information.

📢 Key Takeaway Requirement

Every submission must include a visible Key Takeaway statement on the landing page.

The statement must:

• Be 50 words or fewer
• Be written for a general audience
• Clearly summarize the most important insight from your report

Think of it as the headline of your story.

🏆 Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated on:

• Insightfulness
• Visual Effectiveness
• Storytelling and Communication
• Creativity and Innovation
• Accessibility
• Responsible Data Use

Responsible Data Use includes:

• Appropriate interpretation of metrics
• Clear explanation of assumptions
• Recognition of limitations
• Avoidance of misleading comparisons
• Honest communication of uncertainty

Remember: A beautiful report with a weak conclusion will not outperform a thoughtful report built on strong analysis.

 

✅ Submission Requirements

 

All submissions must:

• Be built in Power BI Desktop
• Be a single .pbix file
• Contain no more than 5 pages (additional hidden pages used as tooltips are allowed)
• Use the provided dataset
• Include at least three core Power BI visuals
• Meet accessibility expectations:
  • Clear labels and alt text
  • Strong contrast
  • Intentional layout and reading order

Accessibility remains a significant portion of your score. Don't skip it.

How to submit:

• In the Contests gallery, select Submit to contest - or - click this link
• Add your submission. Be sure to add:
  • Image
  • Description
  • .pbix file or Publish to Web URL
  • Tag your entry with "World Champs BCN"

 

The strongest competitors will not simply identify a winner. They will help viewers understand the tradeoffs behind the answer. Good luck, competitors! One spot remains on stage - will it be you?!

🙋🏼‍ Have questions about Round 3? Add them to the comments below. I'll be monitoring the thread and updating this post with clarifications as needed.