IIFSA International AI Short Film Competition

Official Call for Entries

Organized by
International Institute of Film Science & Arts (IIFSA)

About the Competition

The IIFSA International AI Short Film Competition explores new cinematic paradigms emerging from human–AI collaboration in filmmaking.

The competition emphasizes cinematic language, narrative structure, visual aesthetics, and creative methodology, rather than technical spectacle or generation speed. Artificial intelligence is regarded not as a gimmick, but as a creative tool, collaborator, and research approach within contemporary cinema.

Not Faster. Deeper.
AI as Cinema, Not a Trick.

Eligibility & Film Requirements

Running Time: 2–15 minutes

Eligible Formats:

Narrative short films

Animation / experimental cinema

Documentary or visual essays

Language: Open to all languages

Non-English films must include English subtitles

AI Usage Disclosure (Required)

All submissions must include an AI Usage Statement, clearly describing how AI was involved in the creative process, including but not limited to:

Scriptwriting or conceptual development

Storyboarding or visual generation

Character, environment, or animation generation

Sound design, voice, or music generation

Editing, compositing, or post-production enhancement

Full AI generation is not required.
Transparency, creativity, and artistic rationale are essential.

Awards & Prizes (USD)

Main Competition Awards

Academic & Innovation Awards

Emerging & Student Awards

All prizes are awarded in USD and are before tax, where applicable.

Recognition & Exhibition

In addition to cash prizes, selected and awarded films will receive:

Official IIFSA Award Certificates

Inclusion in the IIFSA AI Film Showcase

Jury or curatorial statements for awarded works

Promotion through IIFSA official channels

Potential recommendation to IIFSA-related screenings and academic programs

Jury & Evaluation Criteria

The jury consists of international filmmakers, film scholars, and researchers in AI creativity and media arts.

Evaluation Criteria

Official Timeline

Call for Entries Opens: January 2026

Submission Deadline: March 10, 2026

Preliminary Selection: Mid–Late March 2026

Final Jury Review: Early April 2026

Awards Announcement & Ceremony: Mid-April 2026

Recommended production period: 4–6 weeks
(to ensure narrative coherence and artistic quality)

Copyright & Ethics

Copyright remains with the creators

IIFSA reserves the right for non-commercial screening, academic presentation, and promotion

Submissions must not infringe portrait rights, voice rights, or intellectual property

Works generated using unauthorized or illegal data sources will be disqualified

Submission (Email Submission Only)

All films must be submitted via official email submission.

Official Submission Email

secretary3@iifsa.org

Required Materials

All materials must be submitted in one single email and include:

1. Film file or secure screening link

   MP4 (H.264 / H.265 recommended), or

   Private streaming link (Vimeo, Google Drive, or equivalent)

2. Submission Information (PDF or Word), including:

   Film title

   Director(s)

   Country / region

   Running time

   Year of completion

   Contact email

3. AI Usage Statement

4. Short Synopsis (max. 200 words)

5. Director’s Bio (max. 150 words)

Important Notes

Email subject format:
IIFSA International AI Short Film Competition – Film Title

Large files must be submitted via downloadable links

Multiple submissions are allowed, but each film must be sent in a separate email

Official Website

www.iifsa.org