AI International Film Festival

1. We accept works (submissions) which either:
1a. illuminate possible consequences of the AI revolution, now or in the future, direct or indirect, intentional or unintentional, positive or negative. (see event description).
or
1b. were made with extensive use of AI Tools in the production process.
2. We accept works in the following forms:
a. Vertical and Horizontal format films
b. Short and feature films, in the form of narrative (fiction), documentary (non fiction), experimental, AI, Hybrid AI or animated film.
c. Music Videos
d Web/TV Series (also pilot)
3. By submitting your work, you agree that:
a. You authorize the festival to use, distribute and share the work's poster, trailer, synopsis, images, clips, and movie stills in our social media, our website, FilmFreeway, educational institutions, with the press and other communication channels.
b. Entry fees are non-refundable.
c. Multiple submissions are allowed for each work and each work may be entered in multiple categories.
d. You can submit your work again for the following months.
e. The works must include English subtitles (unless the spoken language is English)
f. The scripts must be in English, or an accurate translation into English must be provided along with any foreign language script
g. You accept all the AI International Film Festival Rules and Terms
h. The festival reserves the right to judge which works are selected, awarded or screened. Our judges are free to make their own choices. Judge’s decisions are final and non-negotiable; no answers will be provided about not selected films.
i. The AI International Film Fest reserves the right to award films in different categories than those which submitters choose.
j. The festival will not offer you or pay screening fees.
k. Festival Online Screening policy: By submitting, the filmmaker grants the AI International Film Festival a non-exclusive, limited license to exhibit the film during the Festival period, including secure, ticketed streaming on Eventive. Online access is DRM-protected, private, and time-limited to 72 hours with a maximum of 500 viewers, and may include time-shifted replays for global audiences. Filmmakers may request geo-restrictions or opt out. All online exhibitions are private, non-public festival screenings that do not affect future exclusive streaming or distribution agreements. See full policy at aifilmfest.org/terms.
l. Public Video-On-Demand (VOD) Policy: With express filmmaker authorization, the AI International Film Festival may include selected films in curated public VOD blocks on Eventive (e.g., “September 2025 Winners”). Access is DRM-protected and ticketed at a nominal $3.99 per block to offset hosting costs. Films may remain available for up to one year and can be removed upon written request. Filmmakers receive no financial benefit or obligation. All presentations are non-exclusive, non-commercial, and do not constitute public release or conflict with future streaming or distribution agreements. See full policy at aifilmfest.org/terms.
4. We do not accept:
a. Extremist or propaganda content, which is determined based on the Film Festival’s sole discretion. The Film Festival does not accept content from religious or political organizations
b. Works involving politics / films promoting political agenda
c. Works with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of subtitles/captions for non-English films, video resolution less than 720p HD, etc.).
5. Selected submissions, Awards, Honorable Mentions and Screening selections will be notified according to the schedules listed on FilmFreeway. The festival is not responsible for schedule delays.
6. If you win in an award category:
a. you will be provided with an Award Certificate
b. you may order a trophy for your specific category, please see price list
c. in addition, some Award categories may have co-sponsors providing prizes. One award or prize will be given to the winner designated on the official entry form.
7. The judges choose which works will be shown in the festival screening event. Preference will be given to works which have not been shown to the public prior to the festival screening (world premiers).
8. If your work has been accepted for a live screening event, you will receive the following:
Two(2) festival passes per submitted work to see all the festival films FREE
Admittance for one person to the “Opening Night Event" for each category for which your work has been selected
9. All submissions in personal categories require the name of the person and the category. You can easily send us this information in the cover letter at the FilmFreeway website.
10. All photos provided must be clearly identified with file names which include the name of talent, name of submitter, date and the name of the work.
11. Students must present a valid Middle School, High School or College Student ID in order to receive our student discount.
12. The Festival, in its sole discretion, can consider any work to be disqualified if the festival considers the content inappropriate.
13. If selected to be showcased during a live screening event, all screening copies must be received a minimum of 14 days prior to screening.
14. If your work has been accepted and you attend the festival screening event, you are responsible for travel, lodging, and all other expenses.
15. You also agree that by submitting the work and any related images or information related to the work that you are the owner of that intellectual property, or have received permission to use any intellectual property that has been submitted to the Festival. The festival only accepts submissions if the applicant is the owner of all rights of use. The festival reserves the right to request a corresponding proof of rights and to refuse the submission in case of absence. The festival relationship will exclusively be related to you as the submitter of the work and not with other persons or organizations.
16. By submitting your work, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the festival from any and all copyright or any other intellectual property infringement claims regarding your submission. You must obtain full rights to use any and all music, images, video clips or other intellectual property included in your work, unless your use qualifies as “Fair Use”. We recommend you follow the guidelines contained in "Documentary Filmmakers' Best Practices in Fair Use", available at https://cmsimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Documentary-Filmmakers.pdf.
17. All stated information, eligibility and submission guidelines, terms and rules of submission, and submission information is subject to change by the AI International Film Festival, without notice.
18. In addition, the festival reserves the right to utilize images and video clips from the work for publications, public relations, advertisements and the posting of images or video clips on the Internet (for websites, social media portals, FilmFreeway listings, etc. of the AI International Film Festival).
19. Participation in the Festival implies the unconditional acceptance of all provisions in these Rules and Terms. Producers, distributors or other persons or organizations submitting a work must attest that third parties involved in the production are in agreement with their participation in the festival.
20. The festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and agrees to these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless the festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and or loss of or damage to the works submitted
21. Submitters hereby consent to the Festival processing the personal data that is transmitted as part of the application for all purposes concerning the festival operation. Submitters confirm that they have the right to make the contact details of third parties available for this purpose. Submitters can revoke this consent at any time but will therefore be disqualified from the festival.