OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF ANY LOCATION WHERE THE FILM FESTIVAL IS NOT PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW, WHO, AS OF THE TIME OF ENTRY, ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD.
VOID IN ALL JURISDICTIONS OTHER THAN THOSE STATED ABOVE AND WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.
1. Hosting Organization (the “Organization”)
Austin AI Film Festival
A Non-profit Organization
Austin, Texas
2. Film Festival Entry Period
The Film Festival entry period begins on April 15, 2026 at 9:00:00 AM CST and ends on August 15, 2026 at 11:59:59 PM CST (“Entry Period”). The Organization’s computer is the official time keeping device for the Film Festival.
3. How to Enter
PAYMENT OF ENTRY FEE IS NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE. ENTRY FEES ARE LISTED ON SUBMISSION WEBPAGES.
To enter, during the Entry Period, you must:
1) Create a 30 seconds to 90 minute video in which a majority of the visual shots were created using AI software (“Video Submission”). This does not preclude entries from using photographs, video or other images not generated with AI as references and models for shots created using AI software. Please refer to category duration specifications on our submissions page.
2) Complete and submit the submission form found on Film Freeway or Fest Home. As a part of the Registration Form, you will be asked to include a link or file to the Video Submission and a written description of the AI techniques used in the Video Submission, as well as the category in which you would like the film to compete.
Compliance with the entry requirements will be determined by the Organization in its sole discretion. The Video Submission and Registration Form cannot be edited once submitted.
4. Submission Guidelines
By submitting the Video Submission to the Organization and participating in the Film Festival, you represent and warrant that:
1) You (or your Team) have all rights necessary to submit the Video Submission, including without limitation, the title or rights in any content, artwork, text, and/or music featured in the Video Submission, and you (or your Team) have the right to grant the Organization the rights to use the Video Submission as set forth in these Official Rules;
2) Use of the Video Submission in accordance with these Official Rules will not require the Organization or any third party to pay any monies or royalties to an Individual Entrant (as defined below), a Team (as defined below) or any third party;
3) Your (or your Team’s) Video Submission must adhere to these guidelines (collectively, the “Festival Guidelines”):
a. Is original to the Individual Entrant or the Team submitting the Video Submission and was not created by another individual (or Team).
b. A vast majority of the screenplay, script, adapted book or other source material on which the Video Submission is based (collectively, the “Source Material”) was created using traditional elements of Human Authorship (as defined below). “Human Authorship” means that traditional elements of expression (i.e., literary, artistic, musical) shall be primarily conceived and executed by a human author; however, AI Assistance Tools may be used by a human author to augment the conception and execution of such traditional elements of expression. A majority of the Source Material on which the Video Submission is based must not be written by ChatGPT or any other AI or AI-related software or application (each, an “AI Assistance Tool”). Unpermitted uses of AI Assistance Tools include, but are not strictly limited to, wholesale script generation and wholesale story creation.
c.1. For all categories designated as “AI Film” (all categories except “Hybrid”), a majority of the visual content must be created using artificial intelligence–assisted creative tools (“AI Assistance Tools”).
AI Assistance Tools may include, but are not limited to, generative image or video systems, AI animation tools, AI visual synthesis tools, AI music and speech tools and other machine-learning–based production technologies.
Use of photographs, video footage, or other non-AI imagery as references, source material, or training inputs for AI-generated shots is permitted, provided the final visual output is primarily produced through AI-assisted generation or transformation.
c.2. For all categories designated as “Hybrid” (AI / Live Action), the film must combine traditionally captured live-action footage with AI generated visual elements. AI may be used to augment, modify, or generate portions of the live action film, including but not limited to visual effects, compositing, background generation, character or object creation, stylistic transformations, or fully AI-generated shots or sequences integrated into live-action footage.
To qualify for this category, the primary structure of the film must include live-action cinematography and human performance, with AI technologies used as a creative or technical component within the final work. The festival reserves the right to determine eligibility and classification of submitted works for the above described categories.
d. Does not contain content that violates or infringes another’s rights, including but not limited to, privacy, publicity, copyright, trademark, trade secret, trade dress, patent, or any other intellectual property rights. No public figure’s likeness may be used without their prior written permission or the prior written permission of their authorized representative.
e. Does not disparage (i) the Organization, (ii) any Film Festival employee, volunteer, judge or any other person assisting with the operations of the Film Festival or the Organization (collectively, “Festival Workers”), (iii) any individual, corporation, partnership, organization, or other entity that provides financial, material, or in-kind support to the Film Festival in exchange for agreed-upon benefits, acknowledgments, or promotional opportunities, including any employees, representatives, agents, directors, and officers of such individual or entity (each a “Sponsor”) or (iv) any other person or party affiliated with the promotion and administration of the Film Festival, including any employees, or such parties’ products or services (each a “Festival Affiliate”, and together with the Organization, the Festival Workers and the Sponsors, the “Festival Parties”).
f. Does not contain material that is pornographic, defamatory, slanderous or libelous, or that depicts animal or human cruelty of any kind.
g. Does not promote discrimination against or contempt for other people on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, caste, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, disability, serious disease, or any other protected class;
h. Does not contain any viruses, trojan horses, trap doors, back doors, easter eggs, worms, time bombs, cancelbots or other computer programming routines that are intended to interfere with or cause harm the Organization’s website/platform or any computer or software;
Submissions that violate the Festival Guidelines, as determined by the Organization in its sole discretion, including without limitation the above representations and warranties, or do not meet the entry deadlines, will be disqualified from the Film Festival. By posting the Video Submission and participating in the Film Festival, you (and your Team) agree to indemnify and hold the Festival Parties harmless from any and all claims, demands, causes of action and judgments (including attorney’s fees, court costs and expert’s fees) arising out of or relating to any breach by you (or your Team) of any of the foregoing representations and warranties.
5. Award Categories
The following categories will each award one winner:
AI Feature Film (30 - 90 minutes)
AI Short Film (90 seconds - 30 minutes)
AI Micro-Short Film (30 - 90 seconds)
Hybrid (AI/Live Action) Film (5 - 90 minutes)
AI Series Pilot (5 - 30 minutes)
AI Commercial or Brand Film
AI Documentary Film
AI Avant-Garde Film
AI Music Video
AI Movie Trailer
AI Student Film (College)
6. Eligibility
The 2026 Austin AI Film Festival (the “Film Festival”) is open to residents of any location where the Film Festival is not prohibited or restricted by law, and who are eighteen years of age or older (or the local age of majority in the jurisdiction where the participant resides, if higher than 18) at the time of entry. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. The Film Festival is not open to residents of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, the Crimea, Donetsk People’s Republic, and Luhansk People’s Republic regions of the Ukraine, or any other jurisdiction where the Film Festival would be restricted or prohibited by law.
The following individuals may be selected to screen at the Film Festival but are not eligible to win an award or prize: Sponsors, Festival Workers and Festival Affiliates.
The Film Festival is open to teams of eligible individuals (each a “Team”). If a Team is entering the Film Festival, one individual must be appointed as a representative to represent, act, and enter the Film Festival on such Team’s behalf (“Team Leader”). The individual submitting an entry in the Film Festival on behalf of a Team represents and warrants that they are the duly authorized representative for such Team and have obtained all rights necessary to act on the Team’s behalf. If an entry by a Team is awarded a prize, such prize will be awarded to the Captain. It is up to the Captain to decide how to allocate the prize among the Team members.
Each individual participant or team may submit up to (2) entries into the Film Festival.
By participating in this Film Festival, you (and your Team) agree to be bound by all of the Film Festival’s rules and terms set forth herein (the “Official Rules”) and by the decisions of the Organization, which shall be final in all matters relating to the Film Festival.
7. Winner Selection and Notification
Organization shall announce finalist Individual Entrants (“Finalist Individual”) and/or Teams (“Finalist Team” and together with Finalist Individuals, the “Finalists”), on or about September 1, 2026 as determined by the curation committee.
From these finalists, a group of judges will determine winning Individual Entrants for each category (“Winning Individuals”) and/or Teams (“Winning Teams”) The judges’ ratings and decisions are final and binding on all participants. The judges’ scores will not be shared with the participants or general public. The decisions of the judges shall be final in all respects.
The Organization will attempt to invite to the Film Festival (and any award ceremony in connection with it) any individual finalist and Winning Team(s) at the email provided in the Registration Form. The Winners (and all members of such Winning Teams) are subject to verification, including verification of age and residency. The Winners (and all members of such Winning Teams) shall be required to complete, sign, notarize and return an affidavit of eligibility/liability release, a publicity release, and other documentation in connection with the Video Submission that may be required by the Organization.
If a Winner (i) is determined to be ineligible or otherwise disqualified by the Organization, (ii) fails to respond to Organizations first winner notification message within 96 hours of notification or after three (3) attempts (whichever occurs first), or (iii) fails to timely provide any information requested by Organization (e.g., information needed by Organization to determine eligibility or deliver prize) or timely execute and return any documents required by Organization, the Winner will be disqualified and forfeit all interest in any prize. If the Winner is disqualified, Organization reserves the right to select a substitute Winner or not award the unclaimed prize(s).
8. Prizes and Prize Claims
Each category winner (one winner per category) will receive a cash prize. Additional Sponsor prizes may be given to winners within each category and winners of special Sponsor awards. Cash prize amounts shall be determined by the Festival and be announced on or before finalists are selected.
All amounts are in United States dollars.
The right to receive a prize cannot be transferred or assigned. No cash or other prize substitution is permitted, except at the sole discretion of the Organization. The prize is subject to availability and if the prize cannot be awarded for any reason, the Organization reserves the right in its sole discretion to substitute the prize with one of comparable or greater retail value.
Each Winning Individual or Captain of a Winning Team is solely responsible for all federal, state, local, provincial/territorial, or other applicable taxes associated with the acceptance and use of the prizes. Each Winner (and all Team participants of the Winners) agrees and acknowledges that the Organization may be required to withhold and remit a portion of prize value to comply with applicable tax laws. Each Winning Individual or Captain of a Winning Team also agrees to provide Organization with a valid social security number or any other information Organization may require in connection with applicable tax reporting or withholding requirements or other laws or regulations.
All costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specifically provided herein are the responsibility of the Winners.
9. Publicity
Except where prohibited by law, by accepting a prize, the Winners (including any individual members of Winning Teams) hereby grant the Organization and its representatives an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive and sub-licensable right and license to use, distribute, and publicly display the Winner’s name (and any Winning Team members’ names) and information about the prize award, in any way, at any time, in any and all media, including without limitation, for use in advertising and marketing, without any additional approval or consideration. By accepting a prize, Winners (including any individual members of such Winning Teams) represent and warrant that they have the right to grant the foregoing license. In addition, except where prohibited, Organization may require Winners (including any individual members of such Winning Teams) to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility, and a liability/ publicity release (“Affidavit and Release”). The Affidavit and Release will be provided separately. All documents requested by Organization, including the Affidavit and Release must be signed, notarized, and returned to Organization within fourteen (14) days of receiving notice. If not timely received, the prize may be forfeited and Organization may, in its sole discretion, award a prize to the next runner up (to be determined by the Organization) in the Film Festival.
10. Ownership of and rights to your video submission
By entering the Film Festival and submitting a Video Submission, you (and your Team) hereby grant to the Organization, the Festival Parties and their assigns a non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, transferable, worldwide, royalty-free, fully-paid right and license to publicly perform, publicly display, digitally transmit, distribute, copy, modify, create derivative works, and otherwise use the Video Submission on Organization’s social media accounts, blogs, websites, and platform; as well as in promotional materials created by the Organization, its investors, or other partners, including for purposes of marketing the Organization, its products and services and the Film Festival, without the need for further approval.
Organization and its licensees may modify or edit the Video Submission to ensure the quality or for any purpose that Organization deems necessary or desirable in its sole discretion, and by entering the Film Festival, you (and your Team) grant Organization a fully-paid, irrevocable, perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, transferable, and sublicensable right and license to make such modifications to the Video Submission. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you (and your Team) hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waive all, and the enforcement of all, moral rights that you may have, if any, in the Video Submission.
Subject to the rights and licenses conveyed herein, you (and your Team) shall retain sole and exclusive right, title and interest in and to your Video Submission and all intellectual property rights thereto.
11. Limitations of Liability of Film Festival Parties
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU AGREE (I) THE FESTIVAL PARTIES SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR SPECIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH (A) THE FILM FESTIVAL OR (B) ANY PRIZE AWARDED, AND (II) YOUR REMEDIES FOR ANY CLAIMS RELATING TO THE FILM FESTIVAL ARE LIMITED TO YOUR ACTUAL OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES OF PARTICIPATION IN THE FILM FESTIVAL (IF ANY).
The Film Festival Parties assume no liability and are not responsible for, and by entering the Film Festival, you hereby waive and release the Film Festival Parties from, any actions, claims, damages, losses or injuries of any kind (collectively “Claims”) arising out of or relating to the Film Festival and/or the receipt, use or misuse of any prize, including without limitation, Claims relating to: (i) the malfunction of any computer, telephone, mobile device, network, satellite, hardware, software or communications line; (ii) unauthorized human intervention; (iii) incorrect, delayed or inaccurate transmission, winner notifications, prize claims or other information or communications relating to the Film Festival, or the failure to capture or transmit any such information; (iv) damage to any person’s computer or mobile device; or (v) any errors in these Official Rules, winner notifications or other announcements or communications relating to the Film Festival. In the event of any ambiguity or error(s) in these Official Rules, Organization reserves the right to clarify or modify these Official Rules however it deems appropriate to correct any such ambiguity or error(s). If due to an error or for any other reason, more legitimate prize claims are received than the number of prizes stated in these Official Rules, Organization reserves the right to award only five prizes, as stated above, from all eligible entries. In no event will more than the stated number of prizes be awarded.
LEGAL WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN INDIVIDUAL, WHETHER OR NOT A PARTICIPANT, TO DELIBERATELY UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS FILM FESTIVAL MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, ORGANIZATION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND PURSUE ALL OTHER REMEDIES AGAINST ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Organization may prohibit an entrant, and their associated Team, from participating in the Film Festival or winning a prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Film Festival by cheating, deception, or other unfair playing practices (including the use of automated quick entry programs) or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants or any Festival Parties.
For California Residents Only: You hereby waive California Civil Code Section 1542, which states, “A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.”
12. Organization’s Reservation of Rights
If the Film Festival is not practically capable of running as planned for any reason outside the control of the Organization, including without limitation, due to a force majeure event or infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, government orders, natural disasters, the effects of any pandemic or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Film Festival, Organization reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify, suspend, or cancel the Film Festival. In the event of cancellation, the Organization reserves the right to select Winners from all non-suspect, eligible entries submitted as of the time of cancellation.
13. Governing Law
All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, the rights and obligations of entrants and the Winners, and the rights and obligations of the Organization in connection with the Film Festival, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of State of Texas, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Austin, Texas. Organization’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other provision. If any provision of these Official Rules is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be struck, and the remaining provisions shall be enforced.
14. Privacy
Any personally identifiable information collected during an entrant’s participation in the Film Festival will be collected and used by Organization and its designees for the administration and fulfillment of the Film Festival and as otherwise described in these Official Rules and Organization’s privacy policy available on their website.