Film submission criteria includes:
-For all categories designated as “AI Film” (all categories except “Hybrid”), a majority of the visual content must be created using artificial intelligence–assisted creative tools (“AI Assistance Tools”).
AI Assistance Tools may include, but are not limited to, generative image or video systems, AI animation tools, AI visual synthesis tools, AI music and speech tools and other machine-learning–based production technologies.
Use of photographs, video footage, or other non-AI imagery as references, source material, or training inputs for AI-generated shots is permitted, provided the final visual output is primarily produced through AI-assisted generation or transformation.
-For all categories designated as “Hybrid” (AI / Live Action), the film must combine traditionally captured live-action footage with AI generated visual elements. AI may be used to augment, modify, or generate portions of the live action film, including but not limited to visual effects, compositing, background generation, character or object creation, stylistic transformations, or fully AI-generated shots or sequences integrated into live-action footage.
To qualify for this Hybrid category, the primary structure of the film must include live-action cinematography, with AI technologies used as a creative or technical component within the final work. The festival reserves the right to determine eligibility and classification of submitted works for the above described categories.
-For all categories, a majority of the screenplay, script, adapted book or other source material on which the Video Submission is based (collectively, the “Source Material”) was created using traditional elements of Human Authorship (as defined below). “Human Authorship” means that traditional elements of expression (i.e., literary, artistic, musical) shall be primarily conceived and executed by a human author; however, AI Assistance Tools may be used by a human author to augment the conception and execution of such traditional elements of expression. A majority of the Source Material on which the Video Submission is based must not be written by ChatGPT or any other AI or AI-related software or application (each, an “AI Assistance Tool”). Unpermitted uses of AI Assistance Tools include, but are not strictly limited to, wholesale script generation and wholesale story creation.
-Compliance with the entry requirements will be determined by Organization in its sole discretion. The Video Submission and Registration Form cannot be edited once submitted.
-Each individual participant or team may submit up to (2) different entries into the Film Festival.
By submitting the Video Submission to the Organization and participating in the Film Festival, you represent and warrant that:
-You (or your Team) have all rights necessary to submit the Video Submission, including without limitation, the title or rights in any content, artwork, text, and/or music featured in the Video Submission, and you (or your Team) have the right to grant the Organization the rights to use the Video Submission as set forth in these Official Rules;
Use of the Video Submission in accordance with these Official Rules will not require the Organization or any third party to pay any monies or royalties to an Individual Entrant (as defined below), a Team (as defined below) or any third party;
-Is original to the Individual Entrant or the Team submitting the Video Submission and was not created by another individual (or Team).
-Does not contain content that violates or infringes another’s rights, including but not limited to, privacy, publicity, copyright, trademark, trade secret, trade dress, patent, or any other intellectual property rights. No public figure’s likeness may be used without their prior written permission or the prior written permission of their authorized representative.
-Does not disparage (i) the Organization, (ii) any Film Festival employee, volunteer, judge or any other person assisting with the operations of the Film Festival or the Organization (collectively, “Festival Workers”), (iii) any individual, corporation, partnership, organization, or other entity that provides financial, material, or in-kind support to the Film Festival in exchange for agreed-upon benefits, acknowledgments, or promotional opportunities, including any employees, representatives, agents, directors, and officers of such individual or entity (each a “Sponsor”) or (iv) any other person or party affiliated with the promotion and administration of the Film Festival, including any employees, or such parties’ products or services (each a “Festival Affiliate”, and together with the Organization, the Festival Workers and the Sponsors, the “Festival Parties”).
-Does not contain material that is pornographic, defamatory, slanderous or libelous, or that depicts animal cruelty of any kind.
-Does not promote discrimination against or contempt for other people on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, caste, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, disability, serious disease, or any other protected class;
-Does not contain any viruses, trojan horses, trap doors, back doors, easter eggs, worms, time bombs, cancelbots or other computer programming routines that are intended to interfere with or cause harm the Organization’s website/platform or any computer or software;
Submissions that violate the Festival Guidelines, as determined by the Organization in its sole discretion, including without limitation the above representations and warranties, or do not meet the entry deadlines, will be disqualified from the Film Festival. By posting the Video Submission and participating in the Film Festival, you (and your Team) agree to indemnify and hold the Festival Parties harmless from any and all claims, demands, causes of action and judgments (including attorney’s fees, court costs and expert’s fees) arising out of or relating to any breach by you (or your Team) of any of the foregoing representations and warranties.
Eligibility
The 2026 Austin AI Film Festival (the “Film Festival”) is open to residents of any location where the Film Festival is not prohibited or restricted by law, and who are fourteen years of age or older at the time of entry. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. The Film Festival is not open to residents of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, the Crimea, Donetsk People’s Republic, and Luhansk People’s Republic regions of the Ukraine, or any other jurisdiction where the Film Festival would be restricted or prohibited by law.
The following individuals may be selected to screen at the Film Festival but are not eligible to win an award or prize: Sponsors, Festival Workers and Festival Affiliates.
The Film Festival is open to teams of eligible individuals (each a “Team”). If a Team is entering the Film Festival, one individual must be appointed as a representative to represent, act, and enter the Film Festival on such Team’s behalf (“Captain”). The individual submitting an entry in the Film Festival on behalf of a Team represents and warrants that they are the duly authorized representative for such Team and have obtained all rights necessary to act on the Team’s behalf. If an entry by a Team is awarded a prize, such prize will be awarded to the Captain. It is up to the Captain to decide how to allocate the prize among the Team members.
By participating in this Film Festival, you (and your Team) agree to be bound by all of the Film Festival’s rules and terms set forth herein (the “Official Rules”) and by the decisions of the Organization, which shall be final in all matters relating to the Film Festival.
