Altera Festival is a film and emerging media festival focused on strong storytelling and the future of how stories are made. We showcase short films and creative projects that combine cinematic craft with AI and emerging technology. From narrative and documentary to commercial, music video, and immersive formats, the work we program is story-first, professionally executed, and forward-thinking in process.

Altera is built for filmmakers who care about craft and are actively expanding their toolkit. Many of our artists come from traditional film backgrounds and use AI, generative tools, game engines, and spatial technologies to work faster, prototype ideas, and unlock new creative possibilities without sacrificing quality.

This is not an experimental sandbox or a tech demo space. It is a curated program of high-quality work from directors, producers, and creative teams pushing professional storytelling into its next chapter.

Beyond screenings, Altera functions as a working ecosystem. The festival brings together filmmakers, startup founders, marketers, educators, and policy leaders for workshops, panels, and hands-on sessions that explore how emerging technology is reshaping media, business, and culture.

Based in Atlanta, one of the fastest-growing production hubs in the United States, Altera launches at a moment when the city is becoming a global stage, a fitting backdrop for a festival built around the future of storytelling.

We call this moment Altera, an alternate era of storytelling. A move beyond outdated gatekeepers and rigid systems toward a more open, collaborative, creator-led future. An era where strong craft meets new tools, where filmmakers share knowledge, experiment together, and expand what’s possible side by side.

We believe stories shape culture, and culture shapes the world. By rethinking how stories are made, we can open doors for more voices and create work that reaches further and resonates deeper.

Altera exists for the creative pioneers building that future together.

We are altering the future of storytelling.

Awards & Prizes

Altera Festival will present awards across select categories. Details on award categories and winners will be announced prior to the notification period.

Festival winners will receive Pro licenses from ElevenLabs, including 500K credits. Additional prizes and partner benefits are being finalized and will be announced as the festival date approaches.

The festival makes no guarantee of additional monetary prizes or compensation to submitters or selected filmmakers. All award decisions are final.

Rules & Terms

Eligibility & Requirements:

Submissions are open to filmmakers worldwide
• All projects must incorporate AI, generative tools, or emerging technology (including but not limited to AR, XR, spatial computing, machine learning, game engines, or experimental digital workflows) as part of the creative or production process
• Projects that do not demonstrate meaningful use of AI or emerging technology will not be considered
• Films must have been completed after April 1, 2025
• Maximum runtime is 30 minutes. Feature-length projects will not be accepted or screened
• Works-in-progress, prototypes, and proof-of-concept projects are eligible

Accepted Formats:

Narrative Short
• Documentary Short
• Experimental / Hybrid
• Commercial / Branded / Trailer
• Music Video
• Immersive / XR / Experience
• Vertical (9:16 native)

All categories require the use of AI or emerging technologies.

Submission Requirements:

All entries must be submitted through FilmFreeway
• Final exhibition files must be delivered in MP4 format
• Minimum resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p) or higher
• Accepted aspect ratios: 16:9 (horizontal) or 9:16 (vertical category only)
• Non-English films must include English subtitles
• Submission fees are non-refundable
• Incomplete, corrupted, or improperly formatted submissions may be disqualified
• Altera Festival is not responsible for technical issues, corrupted files, or playback problems caused by improperly formatted or damaged media

Rights & Clearances:

Entrants must hold all necessary rights, licenses, and permissions for all content included in the project, including music, footage, performances, and trademarks
• The project must not infringe upon any copyright, privacy, or publicity rights
• By submitting, entrants agree to indemnify and hold harmless Altera Festival and its partners from any claims arising from the submitted work

For AI-generated or AI-assisted works, entrants are solely responsible for ensuring their use of tools, models, datasets, training materials, and third-party content complies with all applicable licenses, permissions, and laws. Altera Festival assumes no responsibility for unauthorized or infringing use of such materials.

By submitting, entrants grant Altera Festival a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to exhibit the selected project during the festival and to use clips, trailers, stills, titles, and excerpts of the work for promotional, marketing, press, archival, and educational purposes related to the festival and its programs, in all media formats.

• Filmmakers retain full ownership and copyright of their work.

Selection & Exhibition:

All submissions are reviewed by the programming team and invited jurors
• Selection decisions are final
• Submission does not guarantee acceptance or screening
• Selected filmmakers must provide screening materials, press assets, and a brief list of AI or emerging technology tools used in the creation of the project
• Selected filmmakers must deliver all required screening materials by stated deadlines. Failure to do so may result in removal from the program
• Once selected, projects may not be withdrawn from the festival without written approval from the programming team
• The festival reserves the right to determine scheduling, screening order, venue, and presentation format at its sole discretion

General Conditions:

• The festival reserves the right to make changes to programming, scheduling, or venue as necessary
• The festival may withdraw or disqualify any submission that fails to comply with these terms
• In the event of circumstances beyond the festival’s control, including but not limited to venue issues, weather, public safety concerns, or other unforeseen events, the festival reserves the right to modify the event format or schedule
• By submitting, entrants agree to all rules and conditions listed above
5 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Oscar Sanchez

    being selected as a semifinalist at the Atlanta International AI Film Festival was a meaningful experience. The communication was clear and timely, and I truly appreciated how the festival made space for emerging voices in AI filmmaking. Even from afar, I felt supported and proud to be part of this edition.

    June 2025
    Helpful
  • Rod Cauhi

    Wonderful festival! Amazing event and people. Thank you!

    April 2025
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  • Alesander Sokolov

    A wonderful festival and very well organized. Good guests and speakers.

    March 2025
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  • jeremy angelier

    Very nice event. Good communication, great quality.

    March 2025
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  • Glory House Studios

    It was an amazing event. It was so much fun! And very well organized.

    March 2025
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