In celebration of the 50th anniversary of their songwriting partnership, Elton John and Bernie Taupin have launched a competition to find emerging talent to create videos for their iconic songs, "Rocket Man," "Tiny Dancer" and "Benny and the Jets." Entitled "The Cut," the competition has been created in partnership with Dreamworks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, Grammy Award-wining music video maker Melina Matsoukas, and Golden Globe winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins. According to Billboard.biz, "The Cut" is supported by YouTube and timed to celebrate John's 50th anniversary with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. The competition closes on Jan. 23 and creators must be at least 16. Winners will also receive $10,000 from YouTube and their videos will premiere next summer.

"Artists like me have to embrace technology, because it¹s the only way forward," says John in Billboard.biz. "One of the reasons we are doing this project with YouTube is to encourage young filmmakers to create visual ideas for these songs, and it gives us the chance to share these songs with younger fans. I've always had a passion for youth and passion for the new. This is very exciting because we¹ve never seen videos for these songs." A donation will be made in honor of each judge to a charity of their choice.

For more information, go to: http://thecut.eltonjohn.com/

Watch Elton and Bernie Taupin explain the competition.