The Sparknify Human vs. AI Film Festival is a global film festival exploring one of the most defining questions of our time: Can machines meaningfully express human emotion and what does that reveal about us?

The festival brings together traditional filmmakers and generative AI creators on the same stage, not to compete by technique or genre, but to engage in a deeper creative inquiry.

HUMAN-PRODUCED Short Films ----------------

As AI reshapes film production, it brings existential challenges to both the industry and humanity. More than ever, it is crucial to celebrate the unique storytelling and creativity that define us as humans. We seek visionary creators dedicated to safeguarding humanity for a flourishing future.
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Equipment and Tools:

Use conventional video cameras and lighting equipment for filming, with computer editing software permitted for post-production. All narrations and dialogue must be authentic recordings of human voices. The use of AI-generative tools at any stage of production is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification. While the use of images or video from CAD or 3D modeling software is allowed, it is strongly discouraged.

AI-GENERATED Short Films ----------------

AI-generated films showcase the innovation of AI technology, transforming storytelling and reshaping creativity. We celebrate this progress and seek visionary creators who excel in using these tools to craft narratives that not only pass the Turing Test but to capture the essence of humanity.

Equipment and Tools:

The entire film must be created using AI-generative tools. Computer editing software is allowed for post-production. Narrations and dialogue preferred to be AI-generated from scripts generated by AI. The use of images or videos from CAD or 3D modeling software is generally not considered to be AI generated. Most of visual and audio elements must align with the film’s AI-generated origin, ensuring the work remains a true showcase of AI capabilities.

EMOTIONS ----------------

Unlike conventional film festivals, Human vs. AI categorizes films by Emotion, asking creators to define their work by what it makes audiences feel rather than how it is made.

Each submitted film is centered on one of seven core human emotions—Joy, Sorrow, Rage, Serenity, Love, Hate, and Desire. Emotion becomes the common language between human storytelling and machine-generated cinema, and the lens through which all works are evaluated.

SELECT ONLY ONE DOMINATE EMOTION, just like how genre is selected for movies.

More than a competition, the Human vs. AI Film Festival functions as both a Turing Test for AI films and a creative compass for filmmakers. It examines how effectively AI can evoke genuine emotional response, while simultaneously challenging human creators to reflect on how cinema expresses humanity in an age of intelligent machines.

JUDGING ----------------

Selected films are reviewed by a panel of distinguished academics and creative leaders spanning cinema, artificial intelligence, and human perception. The festival culminates in a live premiere event featuring nominated films, panel discussions, and dialogue on the future of storytelling at the intersection of technology and emotion.

At its core, the Sparknify Human vs. AI Film Festival is not about humans versus machines—but about emotion as the measure of cinema, connection, and what it means to be human.

The nominated films will premiere on September 26, 2026 at San Francisco’s famous Delancey Street Screening Room. Located inside the Delancey Street Foundation’s landmark Embarcadero complex, the venue carries a story that goes far beyond cinema. Delancey Street is one of San Francisco’s most extraordinary social enterprises, built around the idea that people can rebuild their lives through work, responsibility, education, and community. Its Embarcadero Triangle complex was constructed in part by Delancey residents themselves, becoming both a physical home and a symbol of transformation on the San Francisco waterfront.
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That makes it a fitting home for the Human vs. AI Film Festival: a festival about emotion, humanity, reinvention, and the future of storytelling. Alongside the film premiere, the event will feature panel discussions on the future of cinematography, product presentations from cutting-edge tech startups, and a festive networking atmosphere, culminating in the awards ceremony honoring the 2026 Sparknify Humanity Award and the emotion category winners.

Awards & Prizes

🏆 The Sparknify Humanity Award
• Grand Prize
• Awarded to the film that most profoundly captures the essence of humanity through emotional impact
• Cash Prize: USD $3,000
• An official festival trophy

🎭 Emotion Awards

Awarded to outstanding films in each of the seven emotional categories:
• Best Film – Joy
• Best Film – Rage
• Best Film – Sorrow
• Best Film – Serenity
• Best Film – Love
• Best Film – Hate
• Best Film – Desire
(Each Emotion Award receives an official certificate of recognition.)

Rules & Terms

By submitting a film to the 2026 Human vs. AI Film Festival, entrants agree to the following rules and conditions:

1. Eligibility
• The festival is open to filmmakers worldwide.
• Submissions are accepted from traditional filmmakers and generative AI creators.
• Films must be short under 30 minutes, including credits.
• All submitted works must be completed films at the time of submission.

2. Emotion-Based Categorization
• Each film must be submitted under ONLY one primary emotional category, representing the dominant emotion the film seeks to evoke in its audience.
• If more than one emotion or category is selected, only the first one selected will be admitted.
• The seven official emotional categories are:
Joy, Rage, Sorrow, Contentment, Love, Aversion, and Desire.
• Filmmakers are responsible for selecting the category that best represents their work. The festival reserves the right to reassign categories if necessary.

3. Originality & Rights
• Entrants must own or have secured all necessary rights to the submitted work, including but not limited to music, visuals, AI-generated content, and likenesses.
• Submissions must not infringe on any third-party copyrights, trademarks, or intellectual property rights.
• By submitting, the filmmaker confirms that their work is original or lawfully created and cleared for public exhibition.

4. Use of AI for AI generated submissions
• There is no restriction on the use of AI tools or techniques.
• Films may be fully AI-generated, however, post production including use of special effects or editors are allowed..
• Filmmakers are encouraged to transparently describe their creative process, including the role of AI, during submission.

5. Language & Subtitles
• Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles.
• Subtitles must be embedded and/or provided as instructed by the festival.

6. Judging & Selection
• All submissions are reviewed and evaluated by a panel of academics and creative professionals spanning cinema, artificial intelligence, and human perception.
• Films are judged primarily on emotional impact, clarity of emotional intent, and effectiveness of expression—rather than production scale, budget, or technical complexity.
• Jury decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

7. Awards & Prizes
• Awards include the Sparknify Humanity Award (Grand Prize) with a cash prize of USD $3,000, as well as Emotion Awards for each of the seven emotional categories.
• Cash prizes are awarded to the designated recipient identified in the submission.
• Any applicable taxes or fees are the responsibility of the award recipient.

8. Screening & Promotion Rights
• By submitting a film, entrants grant the festival the non-exclusive right to:
• Screen the film during festival events and official screenings
• Use excerpts, stills, titles, and descriptions for promotional, press, and archival purposes
• Filmmakers retain full ownership of their work.

9. Submission Fees & Deadlines
• Submission deadlines and fees (including early-bird periods) are published on the official festival website.
• Early-bird submissions may be offered free of charge to support students, emerging creators, and financially disadvantaged filmmakers.
• All submission fees are non-refundable.

10. Disqualification

The festival reserves the right to disqualify any submission that:
• Contains unlawful, defamatory, or hateful content
• Violates intellectual property laws
• Provides false or misleading information during submission
• Fails to comply with these rules and terms

11. Amendments
• The festival reserves the right to amend rules, schedules, categories, or awards if necessary.
• Any changes will be communicated via the official festival website.