1 Minute AI Film Festival Aotearoa

1. Create a film that is 1 minute long and upload it to our entry page.
• 1 minute is the target length.
• We will accept films that are shorter than 60 seconds – maybe you don’t need a whole minute to tell your story?
• We will accept films that are up to 2 minutes long - but they will need to be compelling!
• Films longer than 2 minutes will be automatically disqualified

2. You must also upload a short explanation or video (up to 1 minute) that explains how you have used AI in your creative process.
• You must have used AI in your creative process – that could be from initial ideation to post-production and anywhere in between.
• You can enter a maximum of 2 films as either an individual or as part of a collective team

3. All films must be G-Rated according to the New Zealand classification labels (General Audiences - People of all ages can view these films and video games. There is no language, nudity, sex, violence or other matters that would upset tamariki (children).

4. All entrants retain the rights to their own work.
• Our intention is that all films entered in the festival will be made available for general viewing via an open Film Festival social media Channel
• Entries that have been accepted into the Film Festival (subject to the creator’s agreement) will be posted on the Film Festival’s open Social Channel from one week before the event on 5 May
• Note that the AI Forum cannot control what happens when work is shared on platforms, including the open social channel for this Festival.
• The Film Festival Panel will select the finalists and these will be featured throughout the day on the big screen as part of the AI and Creativity Summit in Auckland on 5 May.
• The Film Festival Panel will also select a Panel Prize Winner to be announced at the Summit on 5 May.
• A People’s Choice Winner will also be announced, as determined by voting at the Summit on the day.

5. Entry dates
• We will start accepting entries on 25 March 2026
• Entries will close on 24 April 2026
• Entries will not be accepted outside of this time frame.
• No correspondence will be entered into with entrants.

6. Entrants must be based in Aotearoa New Zealand (as evidence by a valid local address and phone number) to qualify for the prize pool.

7. Non-New Zealand entrants: Entries from non-New Zealand based creatives will be considered for our International Award, however they will not be eligible for prizes.
Film Freeway
All submissions and contact with entrants will be managed via the Film Freeway. This is a full-service platform designed specifically for Film Festivals. Please do not attempt to contact the organisers via email or other channels outside of Film Freeway.

Film Festival Panel
A panel of judges will select the 10 Film Festival finalists to feature on the day of the AI in Creative Industries Summit (5 May).
Entrants will be notified through Film Freeway’s standard contact procedures - please keep all contact within Film Freeway’s messaging service.
The judges panel will include representatives from Design School for University of Victoria Wellington, Media Design School Auckland, WeCreate, the AI Forum New Zealand and the New Zealand Film Commission.
• The judges’ decision will be final.
• The judges will base their decisions on the entries received within the timescale set out by the Film Festival.
• The judges will not enter into any correspondence with entrants.

Finalists
• The finalists will be notified vis Film Freeway prior to the screening event on 5 May 2026.
• All finalists will be granted free entry to the AI and Creativity Summit, including the Film Festival. Any costs associated with attendance, including any travel, are the responsibility of the entrant.
• In the case of team entries, free entry will be limited to a maximum of 4 team representatives.