AI for Good Film Festival Opens 2026 Call for Entries: Bridging Technology and Storytelling for Global Impact
The festival places a heavy emphasis on ethical and legal integrity, requiring filmmakers to maintain transparency in their AI applications and ensure proper licensing for all materials.
RMN Stars Technology Desk
New Delhi | January 13, 2026
GENEVA – The AI for Good Film Festival has announced the opening of its international film competition, seeking original works that leverage artificial intelligence to drive positive social change. Starting January 12, 2026, filmmakers and creatives from around the globe are invited to submit short films that explore the intersection of technology, art, and the resolution of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
A Platform for Ethical Innovation
The competition aims to showcase how AI can expand creative possibilities in filmmaking while maintaining a focus on a “powerful, positive message” regarding global issues. Organizers emphasize that while AI tools—such as generative algorithms, neural networks, and machine learning—should be a core component of the process, the festival remains a celebration of the continued importance of human talent.
Submissions may utilize AI in various stages of production, including:
- Scriptwriting and storyboarding.
- Image creation and digital effects.
- Enhanced cinematic experiences through unique AI techniques.
RELATED RMN NEWS REPORTS
[ 4 Surprising Truths About Google’s New AI Filmmaking Tools ]
[ Google Gemini AI Watermark Sparks Technical Debate in Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ ]
Submission Guidelines and Timeline
To be eligible, films must be between 1 and 10 minutes in length and completed between May 1, 2025, and May 1, 2026. The festival places a heavy emphasis on ethical and legal integrity, requiring filmmakers to maintain transparency in their AI applications and ensure proper licensing for all materials.
The 2026 festival timeline is as follows:
- January 12 – March 15, 2026: Application phase.
- April 2026: Selection of the shortlist.
- May 11, 2026: Announcement of the four finalists.
- July 7–10, 2026: Awards Ceremony at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.
Judging and Recognition
Entries will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, including industry veterans like Osnat Shurer, the 10x Emmy-winning Co-Chief Creator Officer of Baobab Studios and producer of Disney’s Moana. Criteria for selection include artistic vision, narrative cohesion, creativity, and “boundary-transcending” international resonance.
Finalists will receive an invitation to the Global Summit in Geneva, significant professional exposure, and the AI for Good Film Festival trophy.
Building on a Legacy of Impact
The festival continues to build on the success of previous years, which featured thought-provoking films like the 2025 winner Souls of the Shipwreck (South Korea), a poetic exploration of resilience and healing, and Clown (United Kingdom), which used a fusion of live-action and AI to address discrimination and societal bias.
By providing a platform for filmmakers, technologists, and activists, the AI for Good Film Festival intends to inspire global audiences to take action toward solving world challenges through the power of storytelling.
