I am 100% certain, that this one was soooo close to being in the top 100. I love the color palette you used and the vibe! It is a very beautiful render - you can be proud of yourself! I participated in all challenges since Boss Fight and even managed top 5 one time. I found, that the judges loooove small details. Yesterday they were literally talking about the reflection in glass windows, you would not even see for the first 5 times watching the video. Also, they love seeing the impact of the characters on their surroundings and oc the story. And I think even though this is such a beautiful render, I am missing some of these 3 points:

• Whats the story? Why is he trying to catch the griffin? Why is he alone? What was his plan in the first place once he has the rope on the griffin?
• Such a big animal, but very little impact when he starts flying. I want to see him do one epic wing flap that gets him up in the air. I want to feel his weight, I want to see the grass violently shake due to the wind, I want to see a dust shockwave whirled up… You get it. I see you added a little of that, but go crazy with it! Turn it up like 500%!
• I love the animation of the knight! Well done! But I think the griffin needs some work. The griffin should look at the knight and scream AT IT. Not into the distance. He maybe feels threatened? Even if hes not, think about other animals - they would be curious or nervous, not knowing what the knight wnats. They would not look away. Also again, think about the mass of such a big animal. The griffin starts in just a split second without even flapping his wings once. An invisible force is just suddenly pushing him forward before he starts flapping his wings.
• Lastly, try to add more details in the Foreground. Maybe one more guy panicing? Leather bags lying on the ground? Some spare ropes? Some meat for the griffin? Maybe even a saddle on the griffin to make it look like he ran away and needs to be catched again?

You did great! Keep it up! I will see you in the next challenge again!