AI film contests closing soon

OpenCV AI Competition 2026

Open Source Vision Foundation (OpenCV)

This global competition invites developers to create applications using image or video analysis to solve real-world problems. Prizes total $12,000, with $5,000 for first place. The competition runs from August 26 to October 26, 2026.

Video Hackers Film Festival 2026 (10th Edition)

Video Hackers Film Festival

A global online festival in its 10th year celebrating independent film, AI cinema, and experimental visual languages, with a dedicated AI Generated Film category alongside fiction, documentary, animation, and music video sections.

Wandura Drama Challenge

Wandura

Make a short AI drama episode (any genre) in Wandura's Drama Studio and Cinema Studio, up to 90 seconds, judged by Wandura's team and an expert panel.

AI Film Festival Africa (AIFFA)

LeCinema

A festival for filmmakers worldwide who use AI to imagine Africa's future, built around the 2026 challenge "What does Africa look like in 2063?"

VISIONARIA — International Festival of AI Cinema & Creativity

Visionaria

First-year Rome festival for films where AI plays a significant creative or production role, screening across six award categories with talks, masterclasses and immersive installations.

PixLight 2026

PixVerse

PixLight 2026 is PixVerse's free annual AI film contest with a $300,000 prize pool across 33 awards. Pilot Track: a finished 3 to 20 minute AI short or pilot episode made with PixVerse Canvas as the primary platform. Script Track: a 45 to 90 minute feature screenplay plus a short video pitch. Three genre directions: Under the Skin, Worlds Beyond and Edge of Seat. Deadline extended from October 9 to October 31, 2026. Creators keep ownership of their work.

Korea AI Cinema Festival (KACF)

KACF Organizing Committee

Your AI film doesn't just get a laurel — it gets a real cinema screen. KACF put 110 AI-generated films in front of a live audience at Seoul's historic Chungmuro cinema district last year, more theatrical AI screenings than any other festival in Korea. Categories span AI Film, AI Music Video, AI Movie Director, Animation, Commercial, Trailer, Poster, and Screenwriter. Deadline October 31.

(UN)REAL AI Film Festival 2026

(UN)REAL Film Festival — Feat. Ventures / CAIA Consulting

An Italian festival for cinema made with or through artificial intelligence, held at Feat. House in Turin on November 27-28, 2026. Six categories (features, shorts up to 20 minutes, animation & motion, documentary, advertising, video art & experimental). Deadline October 31, finalists announced November 14. English SRT subtitles required.

AI Creativity Awards 2026

AI Creativity Awards

The launch edition of a major new international AI awards programme — 8 categories including Motion & Film. £25 early entry through September 1, £35 standard through November 1. Judged on creative ambition, originality, execution, and quality of AI disclosure. Results announced December 1, 2026 — get in on the inaugural class.

TAIFF — Türkiye International AI Film Festival (3rd Edition)

Türkiye International AI Film Festival

Türkiye's flagship AI film festival returns to Istanbul's Atatürk Cultural Center for a 3rd edition — 2,000+ submissions from 100+ countries so far. Grand Prize for Best AI Film plus new craft awards for AI Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Composer, VFX and more. Free FilmFreeway submission. Deadline Nov 1, 2026; screening at Yeşilçam Cinema Dec 7–9, 2026.

AI M0V1E Film Festival

AI M0V1E

A festival and streaming showcase for AI-generated films and series, spanning every genre from sci-fi and horror to documentary and experimental work.