The purpose of the Dasein Festival is to investigate what it means to exist in an era shaped by artificial intelligence. We present films that explore the shifting relationship between consciousness, technology, and the worlds we inhabit. The festival is grounded in the philosophical depth of Dasein, the condition of being aware of one’s presence, potential, and inseparable connection to the environment.

We celebrate narratives in which machines reflect, question, and transform our perceptions of self, intimacy, memory, and becoming. In this space, the boundaries between the synthetic and the human dissolve, revealing new possibilities for presence, creativity, and understanding. We also invite works that explore the Trans Layer Consciousness Axis, a framework that examines creators across layered realities, from human to machinic to the unseen sources that shape both.

Our goal is to create an environment where artists, thinkers, and audiences engage with film as a living inquiry into the future of being.

Awards & Prizes

Festival Awards Include:

• Dasein Grand Prize: Best overall film expressing the festival’s vision of human and machine being
• Best AI Integrated Narrative: Excellence in storytelling shaped or expanded by artificial intelligence
• Best Experimental Vision: Outstanding aesthetic or conceptual innovation
• Best Documentary or Essay Film: Insightful exploration of technology, identity, or futurism
• Emergent Artist Award: Recognition of an exceptional early-career filmmaker
• Audience Choice Award: Selected directly by festival attendees
• Most Insane Story Award: Honoring the film that pushes imagination and risk to the absolute edge

Artist gifted prizes:

All officially selected directors receive a limited edition designer Qreine hat, a hand painted wearable artwork created by the festival founder.

The Dasein Grand Prize winner receives a one of one premium Qreine hat, a large original canvas painting, and a signed copy of Raising AI by De Kai.

The Audience Choice and Most Insane Story winners each receive a designer Qreine hat and a signed copy of Raising AI by De Kai.

All winners also receive official laurels, festival spotlight features, and expanded visibility across Dasein platforms and networks.

Rules & Terms

By submitting to the Dasein Festival (“Festival”), the filmmaker (“Applicant”) agrees to all terms below. The Festival reserves full discretion in interpreting and enforcing all policies.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES

Short Film – must be under 5 minutes
(Only short films are accepted.)

PROGRAM FORMAT

Short films → Intermission → After Party

ELIGIBILITY

• Films must explore human–machine connection, AI, identity, consciousness, or future being
• Applicants must be 18+ or have guardian consent
• Multiple submissions permitted (each submitted separately)

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

• 4K minimum resolution
• 19:6 aspect ratio (ultrawide)
• .mp4 or .mov (H.264 / H.265 codec)
• English subtitles required for non-English films

SUBMISSION MATERIALS

• Completed film
• Director bio (60 words)
• Director’s statement (60 words)
• Synopsis (50 words)

SELECTION & SCREENING

• Submission does NOT guarantee selection
• Jury remains anonymous until the event day
• All decisions are final
• No feedback will be provided
• Selected filmmakers receive a complimentary festival pass +1

RIGHTS GRANTED TO FESTIVAL

By submitting, you grant the Festival perpetual, non-exclusive rights to:
• Screen your film at the Festival
• Record Festival events (Q&As, ceremonies, after party)
• Use film excerpts, stills, titles, and filmmaker likeness for promotion
• Archive films for curatorial and historical purposes
• Document your presence at Festival events

Your film will NOT be used to train AI models.

FILMMAKER WARRANTIES

You confirm full ownership/control of:
• All creative elements
• AI-generated content and tools used
• Music, audio, video, performances, voices, likenesses
• Any and all materials included in the submission

AI ETHICS

Prohibited:
• Deepfakes without consent
• Unauthorized likeness replication
• Misuse of copyrighted training data
• Any AI use violating rights or ethics

PROHIBITED CONTENT

Disqualified content includes:
• Hate speech
• Defamation
• Harassment
• Illegal material
• Non-consensual imagery
• Harmful or endangering content
• Abusive AI applications

LIABILITY & INDEMNIFICATION

• Festival is not responsible for lost materials, travel costs, technical failures, or any damages
• Applicant indemnifies the Festival against all claims arising from their film or conduct
• No refunds under any circumstances (rejection, withdrawal, cancellation, technical issues, etc.)

DISQUALIFICATION

Festival may remove films at any time for:
• Rights violations
• Ethical issues
• Misconduct
• Safety concerns
• Rule violations
No refunds will be issued.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Respect toward all staff, jury, and attendees is mandatory. Violations lead to immediate removal.

FORCE MAJEURE

Festival is not liable for circumstances beyond its control, including: natural disasters, pandemics, venue issues, or emergencies.

PRIVACY

Contact information is used solely for Festival communication and is never sold or shared.

LEGAL

• Governed by California law
• Disputes handled in San Francisco courts
• Mandatory arbitration (AAA rules) before litigation
• Invalid provisions do not affect remaining terms

MODIFICATIONS

Festival may adjust dates, schedule, format, or venue, or cancel the event if necessary.
No compensation will be provided.
1 Review
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  • Craig Lew

    Wonderful festival. Very forward thinking, thought provoking concepts and themes. Cheers!

    May 2026
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