Rules & Terms
Event Information
The 2027 Hollywood AI Short Film Awards will take place on Saturday, February 13, 2027, at the London West Hollywood Screening Room in Los Angeles, California.
Only category winners and award recipients will be featured during the Winners Showcase at the Hollywood AI Short Film Awards.
Additional event details, guest announcements, and screening information will be provided throughout the submission season.
Eligibility
• Open to filmmakers, artists, students, creators, production companies, agencies, and creative teams worldwide.
• Projects must demonstrate meaningful creative use of artificial intelligence, whether during development, production, post-production, animation, visual design, audio creation, or other aspects of the storytelling process.
• Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2024.
• Maximum running time is 22 minutes, including credits.
• Non-English language entries must include English subtitles.
• All genres are welcome.
Submission Guidelines
• All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway.
• Multiple entries are permitted; each project requires a separate submission and fee.
• Projects may be submitted to multiple applicable categories.
• Entry fees are non-refundable.
• Works-in-progress and rough cuts may be submitted, provided the final version will be available before the event.
Selection Process
• Official Selections will be notified through FilmFreeway and email.
• Selected films may be designated as Official Selection, Finalist, Audience Choice Nominee, Category Winner, or Best Picture Winner.
• All selected projects must provide a high-quality digital screening file (MP4 or MOV, 1080p minimum).
• The festival reserves the right to make necessary technical adjustments for exhibition purposes.
Promotion & Screening Rights
By submitting your project, you grant the Hollywood AI Short Film Awards permission to:
• Publicly screen the submitted work as part of festival-related programming.
• Use film stills, posters, trailers, project descriptions, laurels, and excerpts of up to 30 seconds for promotional and marketing purposes.
All ownership rights remain with the filmmaker and rights holders.
Awards & Prizes
Genre Awards ($250 Each)
• Best Drama
• Best Comedy
• Best Thriller
• Best Horror
• Best Sci-Fi
• Best Documentary
• Best Animation
Special Recognition Awards
• Emerging Creator Award ($250)
• Audience Choice Award
• Best Branded Commercial
• Best Music Video
Grand Prize
🏆 Best Picture ($750)
Total Cash Awards: $2,750
Cash awards will be distributed electronically within 30 days of the awards ceremony.
The festival reserves the right to withhold awards in categories where submissions do not meet the standards established by the judging panel.
Rights & Ownership
Entrants retain full ownership and copyright of their submitted work.
The Hollywood AI Short Film Awards does not claim ownership, distribution rights, licensing rights, or ongoing participation in submitted projects.
Entrants affirm they possess all necessary rights, permissions, licenses, clearances, and authorizations for all content contained within the submission, including music, imagery, performances, trademarks, and AI-generated elements.
General Terms
Submission constitutes acceptance of all festival rules and guidelines.
The festival reserves the right to modify rules, categories, dates, venues, award amounts, or event details as necessary.
Judges' decisions are final.
The Hollywood AI Short Film Awards celebrates creativity, innovation, and responsible storytelling while encouraging filmmakers to explore new possibilities through emerging technologies.
Selection Process
• Official Selections, Finalists, and Winners will be notified through FilmFreeway and email.
• Projects may receive Official Selection, Finalist, Category Winner, Audience Choice Winner, Emerging Creator Winner, or Best Picture distinctions.
• Winning projects will be featured during the Hollywood AI Short Film Awards Winners Showcase on February 13, 2027.
• Selected participants may be invited to attend the live awards presentation and Champions of Storytelling Reception in Los Angeles.
• The festival reserves the right to determine the final number of showcased projects based on programming needs and event timing.
