AI Film Contests›By Location›USA
AI Film Contests in USA
AI film contests open to US-based filmmakers. The United States has a thriving AI filmmaking community, with major contests hosted by Runway (based in NYC), Luma AI, and others. Most international contests are also open to US filmmakers.
Note: Always check individual contest eligibility requirements — US-based and internationally open
41 open now·2 coming soon
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Korea AI Content Awards (KAICA) 2026
Gyeonggi Content Agency (hosted by Gyeonggi-do)
Open globally. Works completed Jan 1, 2025 – July 12, 2026. Must meaningfully use generative AI in at least 2 production areas (image, sound/music, dialogue/narration, editing, effects).
KRW 8,000,000 (~$5,800) Best Short — plus Nam June Paik Special Award
Due Jul 12, 2026
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BLACK AI FEST — International A.I Film Academy Festival & Awards
International A.I Film Academy
Films, text, audio, video or fine art incorporating AI techniques
BLAI Academy Awards across 21 categories
Due Jul 15, 2026
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Kerala International AI Film Festival (KIAFF) 2026
KIAFF
Open to all filmmakers with audiovisual short formats of at least two minutes.
Various awards including Best AI Film
Due Jul 20, 2026
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AAEOY National AI-Generated Content (AIGC) Video Challenge
Asian American Engineer of the Year (AAEOY) / Chinese Institute of Engineers
US-based youth (grades 6-12) or college students; adults welcome; teams up to 3
National AAEOY Awards recognition + finalist showcase on Sept 19
Due Aug 3, 2026
01 A.I. | New Media | Experimental | Digital Arts Film Festival (UK)
Unrestricted View — Hen & Chickens Theatre, London
Open globally. AI films are short films that primarily use AI in their creation, any genre.
Laurels, screenings, and category awards
Due Aug 6, 2026
Artificial Intelligence Media Festival (AIMF) 2026
AIMF (501c3)
AI or CGI must be incorporated in the creative process. Final cuts only. Non-English entries need English subtitles.
Festival selection + laurels + LA screening
Due Aug 15, 2026
Future Vision XPRIZE
XPRIZE Foundation + Google + Range Media
Open globally. 3-min film + 12-page treatment with logline, synopsis, personal statement.
$3,500,000+ Total Prize Pool
Due Aug 15, 2026
Bochnia International AI Film Festival (BIAIFF) 2026
Bochnia AI Film Festival / Regis Cinema
Open globally; films using AI in any part of the creative process
$2,500 USD total cash pool
Due Aug 15, 2026
Astana AI Film Festival (AAIFF) 2026
Astana AI Film Festival
Open to filmmakers, artists, and studios; films must be 3 minutes or longer.
$1,000,000
Due Aug 15, 2026
Austin AI Film Festival 2026 (2nd Annual)
Austin AIFF
Films 1-90 min with majority of visual shots created using AI software.
Cash prizes + festival screening
Due Aug 15, 2026
K-Culture AI International Film Festival (KCAIF) 2026
KCAIF Organizing Committee
International — open globally
Official selection + screening in Gangnam, Seoul
Due Aug 15, 2026
AIGC for Future Global Challenge 2026
AIGC for Future
Open globally. AI-generated content required.
$10,000 Total Prize Pool
Due Aug 31, 2026
Astana AI Film Festival 2026
Astana AIFF
Open globally. No restriction on experience or studio access. Short films up to 10 minutes.
$1,000,000 Total Prize Fund
Due Aug 31, 2026
Sparknify Human vs. AI Film Festival 2026
Sparknify
Open to traditional filmmakers and AI creators globally. Films must express one of seven core emotions.
Sparknify Humanity Award $3,000 cash + entry-fee-funded expanding prize pool
Due Aug 31, 2026
Silicon Valley AI Film Festival (SVAIFF) Awards 2026 — Dolby Theatre
SVAIFF
Open globally to AI filmmakers and creative technologists.
Festival selection + Dolby Theatre screening + industry exposure
Due Aug 31, 2026
AI.motion — Italy's AI Cinema Festival at IULM Milan
IULM AI Lab & Neural Network Cultural Association
Open globally. Films must be AI-generated and submitted with list of algorithms used
RAI Cinema Channel Prize + PROMPT Magazine Prize
Due Aug 31, 2026
IFFI Goa AI Film Festival 2026
IFFI (NFDC, Ministry of I&B) + WAVES Film Bazaar + LTIMindtree
Open globally; AI-generated or AI-assisted films
Official AI Film Festival selection at IFFI Goa 2026 + Cinema AI Hackathon track
Due Aug 31, 2026
AI Media Award (AMA) Zurich 2026
AMA
Individuals, agencies, production companies — works max 5 min
Official AMA trophy + Zurich KONGRESSHAUS showcase
Due Aug 31, 2026
New Technologies AI Film Festival 2026
New Technologies AI Film Festival
Open globally to AI-generated and AI-enhanced short films, experimental works and artistic visions.
$2,000 USD custom AI Statuette + limited-edition winner's merchandise set
Due Sep 1, 2026
AI for the Future Festival — UNGA / Climate Week 2026
AI for the Future
Open globally. Works exploring AI in climate, governance, equity, or human rights.
Selection screened at UNGA / Climate Week NYC
Due Sep 1, 2026
WAIFF Los Angeles 2026 — World AI Film Festival USA
World AI Film Festival (WAIFF) / Institut EuropIA
Open to creators 13+ worldwide. Works must meaningfully incorporate AI. Best Student & Best Youth (13–18) are flag awards across all categories.
5 LA winners advance to WAIFF Cannes 2027 Grand Finale + LA screening + global press
Due Sep 15, 2026
Naija AI Film Festival (NAIFF) 2026 — Lagos
NAIFF / Obinna Okerekeocha
Open to creators worldwide. African languages (Pidgin, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, French) encouraged. Films must disclose AI tools used.
Festival screening in Lagos + continental media exposure (no entry fee)
Due Sep 15, 2026
Runway AI Film Festival
Runway
Open to all filmmakers, no restrictions.
$25,000+
Due Sep 30, 2026
Call for Films AI 2026
We Are Human Foundation
Open to filmmakers, visual artists, studios, independent creators aged 18 and above.
€5,000 Grand Prix
Due Sep 30, 2026
AI ZONE International AI Film Festival 2026
AI ZONE
Open internationally. AI-generated cinema and moving image works.
Cash award for Best AI Mini Movie + official laurels
Due Sep 30, 2026
We Are Human Festival 2026 – Call for Films
We Are Human Festival
Open to filmmakers, artists and creators from around the world, aged 18 and over, submitting original, previously unreleased 1–10 minute hybrid human/AI audiovisual works that explore AI, audiovisual creation and human rights; fully AI-generated works without human direction are not eligible.[1][3][4]
3 prizes — 10 000 € total (Grand Prix 5 000 €, Meilleur Scénario 3 000 €, Prix de l’Éthique 2 000 €)
Due Sep 30, 2026
Slamdance Film Festival — DIG (AI Films Encouraged) 2027
Slamdance
Open globally; AI-made films strongly encouraged in DIG category
$25,000 AGBO Fellowship + Utopia distribution deal
Due Oct 6, 2026
AI Film & Ads Awards Bali 2026
AI Film & Ads Awards
Open to filmmakers worldwide. All entries must be 100% generated using AI technologies.
Bali premiere + AI Film & Ads Awards laurels + global circuit recognition
Due Oct 15, 2026
Golden Dunes Dubai International Film Festival 2026
Golden Dunes Festival
International — submitter must hold full rights including music, visuals, and AI-generated content
Exclusive screening at Paramount Hotel Theatre, Dubai
Due Oct 15, 2026
AI London Film Festival 2026
AI London Film Festival
Open globally. Short films created using AI tools in writing, visual generation, animation, or production. Under 20 minutes preferred.
Theatrical screening at Close-Up Cinema London + Best AI Film, Director, Drama, Comedy, Thriller, Documentary, Animation, Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy laurels
Due Oct 16, 2026
DAIFF — Disrupt AI Film Festival by TBWA
TBWA\Australia
Australian-made films, not yet screened or distributed in Victoria before 29 October 2026
Melbourne Gala screening + national showcase (backed by Google & Leonardo.AI)
Due Oct 16, 2026
HKBU Future Film Fest 2026 (3F)
School of Creative Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University
Directors aged 30 or under as of Dec 31, 2026. Current students or alumni of recognized post-secondary institutions. Works completed after Jan 1, 2025. Deadline shown is best-effort estimate; confirm on FilmFreeway before submitting.
USD 66,000 total pool — USD 5,000 Best AI Short
Due Oct 31, 2026
Runway Hundred Film Fund
Runway
Professional directors, producers, screenwriters, 18+, all nationalities
$5,000–$1,000,000+ per project
Due Dec 31, 2026
Chroma Awards — Season 2
ElevenLabs, Google Cloud, Fal, Freepik, Dreamina, CapCut
Open to all creators
Over $175,000 in cash prizes and $1M+ in tool credits
Due Dec 31, 2026
NeoCinema AI Film Festival — The Statuette for Algorithmic Art
NeoCinema
Original AI work under 3 min. English subtitles required for non-English films. Filmmaker must own all rights
NeoCinema AI Statuette
Due Dec 31, 2026
AI Film Fest Monaco 2026
AI Film Fest Monaco
Open globally to all creators of legal age (or age of majority in their jurisdiction); individuals and teams.
$10,000
Due Dec 31, 2026
Berlin AI Film Festival (2nd Edition)
Berlin AI Film Festival
Open internationally; FilmFreeway submissions
TBA
Due Dec 31, 2026
LundinStudio AI Film Festival 2027 (Australia's First)
LundinStudio
18+. Films 1-10 min including credits. Must be based on original script and use AI generated shots in each scene.
Cash + Saga Premium + Melies Pro subscriptions + festival laurel
Due Jan 21, 2027
Expo AI Film Festival Dubai 2027
Expo City Dubai / Dubai Film & TV Commission
Open globally; films under 10 minutes incorporating AI in text, audio, or video
Official Expo City Dubai screening + government-backed recognition
Due Jan 21, 2027
World Film Festival in Cannes — Remember the Future (Best AI Film 2027)
World Film Festival in Cannes — Remember the Future
Open globally; films created entirely with AI or AI-assisted
Best Artificial Intelligence Film — Annual Gala in Cannes
Due Mar 30, 2027
Cannes Film Awards 2027 — New AI Category
Cannes Film Awards
Open internationally. Films using AI in a meaningful capacity may enter the AI category.
$1K+ cash, $25K+ partner & promotional awards
Due May 1, 2027