Rules and Terms
1. Eligibility
Submissions must be original creative works in which artificial intelligence has played a meaningful role. AI should be involved in at least 50% of the film’s creative or production process. This does not necessarily mean that 50% of the visible frames must be entirely AI-generated.
Eligible AI involvement may include:
Generative video or imagery
AI-assisted animation
AI-generated or AI-assisted music
Voice synthesis
Script or concept development
Editing and post-production
Visual effects
Character or environment creation
Motion, compositing or enhancement tools
Other significant AI-assisted creative processes
Films combining AI-generated material with live action, traditional animation, practical effects, human performance or conventional post-production are welcome.
The use of basic automated functions alone, such as spell-checking, standard noise reduction or automatic subtitles, will not normally satisfy the AI eligibility requirement.
2. Human Creative Direction
MetaMorph recognises and celebrates human authorship, creative direction and artistic decision-making.
Entrants should be able to explain how human ideas, judgement and intention shaped the final work.
Judges will consider the purpose and effectiveness of the technology, not simply the number of AI tools used.
3. Submission Statement
Each submission must include a written statement of approximately 150–300 words explaining:
Which AI tools or systems were used
How AI contributed to the creative or production process
Which elements were primarily human-created
The approximate balance between AI-assisted and non-AI-assisted work
The creative intention behind the chosen workflow
Any significant ethical, technical or production considerations
This information helps the judging panel understand the process and will not be used to reward one particular platform or technology over another.
4. Budget Declaration
Films entered into a budget-based category must provide an honest declaration of their total direct production budget.
MetaMorph may request a basic budget summary where necessary to confirm eligibility.
Providing false or deliberately misleading budget information may result in the film being moved to another category or disqualified.
5. Originality and Rights
The submitter must be the creator, rights holder or authorised representative of the submitted work.
Entrants must own or have secured all necessary rights and permissions relating to:
Visual material
Music and sound recordings
Scripts and written material
Performances
Voice recordings
Likenesses
Trademarks
Archive footage
Stock assets
Training, reference or source materials where legally required
Any third-party content appearing in the film
Proof of permission or licensing may be requested.
MetaMorph accepts no responsibility for disputes between entrants and third parties.
6. Synthetic Voices and Likenesses
Where a recognisable person’s face, voice, performance or likeness has been synthetically generated or materially altered, the entrant must have the necessary consent or other lawful authority to use it.
Unauthorised impersonations, deceptive deepfakes or exploitative uses of a person’s identity may be disqualified.
Any synthetic recreation of a real person should be clearly disclosed in the submission statement.
7. Music and Audio
All music, sound recordings and voice performances must be original, properly licensed, in the public domain or used with the appropriate permission.
The use of AI-generated music does not remove the entrant’s responsibility to confirm that they have the right to use and distribute the resulting material.
8. Language and Subtitles
Films may be submitted in any language.
Films containing dialogue that is not primarily in English must include clear English subtitles.
9. Submission Format
Films must be submitted through FilmFreeway using a working digital screener.
Entrants are responsible for ensuring that links, passwords and playback permissions remain active throughout the selection period.
Selected filmmakers may later be asked to provide:
A high-resolution screening file
A trailer or short extract
Film stills
A poster
A synopsis
Filmmaker biographies and photographs
Behind-the-scenes material
Additional information about the AI production process
Failure to provide requested materials by the stated deadline may affect screening eligibility.
10. Content Restrictions
Submissions must not contain:
Plagiarised or knowingly unlicensed material
Content that unlawfully infringes copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity or other rights
Hate speech or material promoting unlawful discrimination
Content created primarily to harass, threaten or exploit an individual or community
Gratuitously violent, pornographic or otherwise unlawful material
Deliberately deceptive material presented in a way that could cause serious harm
Challenging, mature or controversial subject matter may be considered where it has a clear artistic, documentary or narrative purpose.
MetaMorph reserves the right to reject work that it considers unlawful, exploitative or inconsistent with the values of the award.
11. Judging Criteria
Eligible submissions may be assessed according to:
Creativity and originality
Storytelling or artistic impact
Purposeful integration of AI
Human creative direction
Technical execution
Visual and sonic quality
Emotional or intellectual impact
Innovation and experimentation
Transparency of process
Responsible and ethical use of technology
Budget-category films will be considered in the context of the resources available to their creators.
A larger production budget will not automatically result in a higher score.
12. Selection and Judging
All selection and award decisions are made at the discretion of MetaMorph and its appointed judges.
The judging panel may vary between categories.
Judges may withdraw from assessing a film where there is a personal or professional conflict of interest.
The number of nominees and winners may vary according to the number and quality of submissions received.
MetaMorph may decide not to present an award in a category where submissions do not meet the required standard.
All judging decisions are final. Individual scores, internal discussions and detailed judging notes will not normally be released.
13. Screenings
Submitting a film does not guarantee nomination, selection or screening.
Due to the available running time at the awards ceremony, MetaMorph may screen:
A film in full
An edited extract
A trailer
A selection of stills or behind-the-scenes material
For selected films longer than 10 minutes, filmmakers may be asked to supply a trailer or approved screening extract.
Where possible, MetaMorph will consult the filmmaker before materially editing a film for presentation.
14. Promotional Permission
By submitting, the entrant grants MetaMorph permission to use the film’s title, synopsis, trailer, approved extracts, stills, poster, filmmaker information and behind-the-scenes materials for purposes connected with:
Reviewing and judging the submission
Promoting the award
Announcing selections, nominees and winners
Festival screenings and presentations
Editorial, educational and archival coverage
Social media, press and partner communications
The filmmaker retains copyright in the submitted work.
MetaMorph will provide appropriate attribution wherever reasonably possible.
Submission does not transfer ownership of the film to MetaMorph.
15. Additional Showcase Opportunities
Submitted, shortlisted or winning films may be considered for additional MetaMorph or partner showcases, screenings, summits and educational events.
MetaMorph will seek any additional permissions required before presenting a complete film outside the scope of the original award programme.
Consideration does not guarantee selection for any additional opportunity.
16. Disqualification
A submission may be disqualified for:
Failure to comply with these rules
False or misleading information
Failure to disclose material AI usage
False budget declarations
Infringing or unlicensed content
Unauthorised use of a person’s voice or likeness
Failure to provide proof of rights when reasonably requested
Abusive conduct towards festival staff, judges, partners or other participants
Attempts to improperly influence the judging process
Where appropriate, MetaMorph may contact the entrant for clarification before making a final decision.
17. Submission Fees and Withdrawals
Submission fees are non-refundable except where required by law or where an error has been made by MetaMorph.
Entrants may request to withdraw a film, but fees will not normally be returned.
Entrants are responsible for reviewing their submission before completing payment.
18. Changes to the Programme
Dates, venues, judges, partners, prizes and event arrangements may change where circumstances require.
MetaMorph reserves the right to update these rules, adjust categories or deliver part of the programme digitally.
Any significant changes will be communicated through FilmFreeway or the contact details supplied by the entrant.
19. Communications
By submitting, entrants agree to receive essential communications relating to their submission and the administration of the award.
Entrants will only be added to general marketing or newsletter communications where they have provided the appropriate consent.
20. Acceptance of Terms
Participation in the MetaMorph AI Film Award 2027 constitutes acceptance of these rules and conditions. Entrants are responsible for ensuring that all information supplied is accurate and that they have the authority to submit the work.
