【AI Film Festival Japan — Short Film Competition 2026】
ーImagine the World of 2126!
《AI-FJ X LOOP 2126 ∞prelude∞》Collaboration event.
Open Call for AI-Driven Short Films.

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AI Film Festival Japan (AI-FJ), in collaboration with LOOP 2126 ∞prelude∞ (produced by IYS Co., Ltd.), invites creators worldwide to submit AI-driven short films inspired by one shared theme:

“A world 100 years from now (2126).”

Whether your future is chaos or utopia, the interpretation is yours—use your imagination to create a new “reality of the future.”

LOOP 2126 ∞prelude∞ (https://www.loop8fest.com/)

About AI Film Festival Japan:
Asia's Largest and Japan's First AI Film Festival, dedicated to the vision: "Human-AI Co-creation will shape the 'Next' in AI innovation."

Our mission is to establish Japan as a global hub for AI filmmaking by fostering creators and presenting a vision for a sustainable future.

We pursue artistic and social value through co-creation, promoting international exchange and ethical standards in the AI era.

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LOOP 2126 ∞prelude∞ is a one-day, immersive science-fiction festival where robotics, AI, AR/XR, and art converge, turning the city itself into a stage—and audiences into co-creators.

Event / Screening x Media-mix Context
Event Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026 (Tokyo, Shinjuku)
Theme: Welcome to Neo Kabukicho 2126 / “Dance toward a world 100 years ahead.”

Primary showcase venue: KABUKICHO TOWER VISION (a landmark outdoor LED screen, approx. 200㎡, broadcast area 164㎡) in Shinjuku, Tokyo

Selected works may also be considered for additional screening/activation at ZERO TOKYO (https://zerotokyo.jp/en/about/), as well as at the 2nd Annual AI Film Festival Japan in November depending on programming.

This open call welcomes not only polished films, but also bold experiments, fragments of ideas, and works-in-progress—as long as they carry a seed of the future. (If selected, creators will be asked to deliver a final screening master by the delivery deadline.)

Let what we think of now shape the future. Let’s create something new together.

Awards & Prizes

Official Selection / Screening

Outstanding submissions will be curated and showcased on the KABUKICHO TOWER VISION in Kabukicho, Sinjuku, Tokyo, as part of LOOP 2126 ∞prelude∞.

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Awards

[Best AI Creative]
The top works in the AI Creative Division will be recognized as the Best AI Creative (10 works). The winners will be screened on the Kabukicho Tower vision and other venues in Tokyo such as the Tokyo Innovation Base.

[Best AI Movie]
The outstanding works that align with the philosophy and worldview of LOOP 2126 will be screened on the Kabukicho Tower stage screen. Works that do not align with the LOOP worldview but are of high quality will be automatically entered into consideration for the "AI Film Festival Japan 2026" in November.

Prizes (planned)

LOOP∞ Commemorative Trophy
ZERO TOKYO VIP Seat

Winners and highlighted works may also receive additional international exposure through AI-FJ’s global creator network and partner events (details to be announced).

Rules & Terms

1. Eligibility

Open to creators of all nationalities, ages, genders, and backgrounds.
Individual or group submissions are accepted.

One (1) submission per person/team.

Up to two (2) key contacts may be listed for a team.

A brief synopsis and creator/filmmaker bio are required.

2. Categories

1) AI Creative Division (AI Film Festival Japan2026 x LOOP 2126 ∞prelude∞)
Theme: “Depict the world 100 years from now (2126) through film.”

2) Generative AI Films (Non-Genre / Free Theme)

Works must use generative AI and/or machine learning as a major component of the creative process.

When AI is used, creators must list the tools/technologies used (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, Runway, custom ML, etc.).

3. Submission Period

Opens: Jan 10, 2026 00:00 (JST)
Deadline: Mar 30, 2026 12:00 (JST)

4. Runtime / Format

[AI Creative Division]
Length: 90 seconds to 3 minutes
Format: MP4 (H.264), 1920×1080 (16:9), Full HD
Frame rate: 29.97fps or 30fps
Audio: required
Recommended file size: up to 500MB for submission/screener

[Generative AI Films]
Length: 60 seconds to 5 minutes
Format: MP4 (H.264), 1920×1080 (16:9), Full HD
Frame rate: 29.97fps or 30fps
Audio: required
Recommended file size: up to 500MB for submission/screener

Final screening delivery (if selected):
Because works will be shown on a large outdoor screen, finalists will be asked to provide a master that follows the venue’s delivery guidance.

Delivery timing is generally required at least 7 business days before the Monday of the screening week (details will be provided to selected creators).

5. Language / Subtitles

Films in any language are accepted.

If dialogue is not in English, English subtitles or dubbing must be provided (Japanese dialogue may be exempt if announced in guidelines).

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6. Rights / Clearances / Warranty

By submitting, you confirm that:

Your film is original work and does not infringe copyrights, trademarks, publicity rights, or any third-party rights.

All necessary permissions (music, visuals, likeness releases, etc.) have been cleared by the creator.

7. Promotional Use (Required Consent)

Applicants must agree to the following:

I have read and agree to the Official Rules and Terms & Conditions.

I understand and consent that excerpts from my film (up to 30 seconds) and still images may be used in the festival’s promotional materials.

I confirm that all copyright clearances related to this work have been properly handled.

In addition, due to outdoor-screen specifications, the organizer may apply minor adjustments (e.g., cropping, color correction, format conversion) for proper presentation.

8. Selection Criteria / Process

Submissions will be evaluated with emphasis on:

Craft / Completion
Originality
Story / Concept
Aesthetics (visual quality)
Futurity (sense of the future)

All jury decisions are final. Feedback for non-selected entries is not guaranteed.

9. Fees

Submissions are accepted via FilmFreeway.
Submission fees are non-refundable.

*For full details regarding the Privacy Policy, please check our our official website at https://aifilm.jp/?page_id=3.

*We will also update further details via our official website at https://www.aifilm.jp/.

9 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Danny Ratcliff

    It was truly an honor to have been a part of the festival - and to have made it to the semi-finals with such strong competition was incredibly validating for both me and my film "Constant". The team at the festival were incredibly encouraging and communicative. I'd highly recommend AIFJJ festival to filmmakers of any genre or discipline. I'm looking forward to seeing the festival flourish in the coming years!

    March 2026
    Helpful
  • Seven Koreans None

    nice meeting all great people and nice workshops

    December 2025
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  • Alfred Hernandez

    Great to have shown my video Anima in the Ai Film Festival Japan. Glad there was an openness to experimental video.

    November 2025
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  • SH RS

    The AI Film Festival Japan was a well-organized and inspiring event. We truly felt the team’s enthusiasm and belief in the future of AI cinema. We met many talented creators from around the world and experienced the festival’s core value first-hand : human + AI co-creation. A meaningful layover on Aki’s journey , brief, but full of emotion.

    November 2025
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  • Hoyt Dwyer

    What an incredible experience. Chris and the rest of the organizers were incredibly professional and thoughtful. What's more, the event was very well organized, especially for a first year festival. The talks were thoughtful, the screenings were handled with care, and there were always short films playing in the side theater which made viewing a breeze. Hope to be back next year!

    November 2025
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