AI Film Contests›By Prize›AI Film Contests with Cash Prizes
AI Film Contests with Cash Prizes
Cash prizes are the most straightforward form of competition reward — and the most motivating. AI film cash prizes now range from a few hundred dollars at smaller competitions to $1M at the Luma Dream Brief. Even mid-tier AI film prizes ($5K-$50K range) represent significant recognition for independent AI filmmakers. Prize money is usually paid within 60-90 days of the competition announcement.
20 open now·2 coming soon
Open Now
-22d left
Korea AI Content Awards (KAICA) 2026
Gyeonggi Content Agency (hosted by Gyeonggi-do)
Entry: Free
KRW 8,000,000 (~$5,800) Best Short — plus Nam June Paik Special Award
Due Jul 12, 2026
Future Vision XPRIZE
XPRIZE Foundation + Google + Range Media
Entry: Free
$3,500,000+ Total Prize Pool
Due Aug 15, 2026
Bochnia International AI Film Festival (BIAIFF) 2026
Bochnia AI Film Festival / Regis Cinema
Entry: Tiered on FilmFreeway
$2,500 USD total cash pool
Due Aug 15, 2026
Astana AI Film Festival (AAIFF) 2026
Astana AI Film Festival
Entry: Free
$1,000,000
Due Aug 15, 2026
Austin AI Film Festival 2026 (2nd Annual)
Austin AIFF
Entry: Yes — see FilmFreeway
Cash prizes + festival screening
Due Aug 15, 2026
AIGC for Future Global Challenge 2026
AIGC for Future
Entry: See listing
$10,000 Total Prize Pool
Due Aug 31, 2026
Astana AI Film Festival 2026
Astana AIFF
Entry: Free
$1,000,000 Total Prize Fund
Due Aug 31, 2026
Sparknify Human vs. AI Film Festival 2026
Sparknify
Entry: See FilmFreeway / festival site
Sparknify Humanity Award $3,000 cash + entry-fee-funded expanding prize pool
Due Aug 31, 2026
New Technologies AI Film Festival 2026
New Technologies AI Film Festival
Entry: See FilmFreeway listing
$2,000 USD custom AI Statuette + limited-edition winner's merchandise set
Due Sep 1, 2026
Runway AI Film Festival
Runway
Entry: Free
$25,000+
Due Sep 30, 2026
Call for Films AI 2026
We Are Human Foundation
Entry: Free
€5,000 Grand Prix
Due Sep 30, 2026
AI ZONE International AI Film Festival 2026
AI ZONE
Entry: See FilmFreeway listing
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
Entry: Free participation
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
Entry: Tiered (Earlybird/Regular/Late/Extended)
$25,000 AGBO Fellowship + Utopia distribution deal
Due Oct 6, 2026
HKBU Future Film Fest 2026 (3F)
School of Creative Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University
Entry: Check FilmFreeway
USD 66,000 total pool — USD 5,000 Best AI Short
Due Oct 31, 2026
Runway Hundred Film Fund
Runway
Entry: Free
$5,000–$1,000,000+ per project
Due Dec 31, 2026
Chroma Awards — Season 2
ElevenLabs, Google Cloud, Fal, Freepik, Dreamina, CapCut
Entry: Free
Over $175,000 in cash prizes and $1M+ in tool credits
Due Dec 31, 2026
AI Film Fest Monaco 2026
AI Film Fest Monaco
Entry: Free
$10,000
Due Dec 31, 2026
LundinStudio AI Film Festival 2027 (Australia's First)
LundinStudio
Entry: Tiered: Earlybird $25 (May 14) through Final $55 (Jan 21, 2027)
Cash + Saga Premium + Melies Pro subscriptions + festival laurel
Due Jan 21, 2027
Cannes Film Awards 2027 — New AI Category
Cannes Film Awards
Entry: Tiered via FilmFreeway
$1K+ cash, $25K+ partner & promotional awards
Due May 1, 2027