The Portland AI Film Festival is a curated showcase celebrating short films that use artificial intelligence as a core creative tool for making video.

This festival is focused on discovering filmmakers who are actively creating AI-generated video—not technical demos, still-image experiments, or concept pieces presented as films. We’re interested in crafted, idea-driven storytelling, where AI plays a central role in how the film is imagined and realized.

Submissions are open across genres and styles. Portland-based and Pacific Northwest creators are strongly encouraged to submit.

Awards & Prizes

Festival Grand Prize

Awarded to the film that most successfully uses artificial intelligence as a core storytelling tool, demonstrating exceptional creative vision, clarity of idea, and overall craft.

Audience Choice Award

Audience members will vote for the film they found most compelling, memorable, or impactful.

Breakthrough Concept Award

Recognizing a film that introduces a bold or original idea, explores new creative territory, or uses AI in a way that feels fresh, surprising, and conceptually strong.

Awards carry no cash prize. Winners will be recognized during the event and through festival communications.

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms

Eligibility
• Submissions must be short films.
• Recommended length: 90 seconds to 10 minutes.
• Films must be completed works (no trailers or works-in-progress).

AI Requirement
• Artificial intelligence must play a central creative role in generating the video itself.
• Films where AI is used only for minor edits, cleanup, upscaling, color correction, or post-production utilities do not qualify.

Submission Requirements
• Submissions must include a brief description (2–3 sentences) explaining how AI was used as part of the creative process.
• Submissions must list the primary AI tools used.

Failure to clearly explain the role of AI may result in disqualification.

Screeners
• Films must be submitted as an online screener via Vimeo, YouTube, or FilmFreeway’s hosted video system.
• Final screening formats will be requested only from selected films.

Rights & Permissions
• Filmmakers must hold all necessary rights for submitted work.
• By submitting, filmmakers grant the Portland AI Film Festival the right to screen the film during the festival and to use clips, stills, and descriptions for promotional purposes related to the festival.

Fees
• Submission fees are non-refundable.

Final Notes
• All decisions by the festival are final.
• Event dates and venue details may be updated prior to the festival.