1st Annual · Los Angeles · November 2026
Celebrating the creators, directors, and visionaries using artificial intelligence to tell African stories and redefine global cinema.
The barriers are gone. You no longer need a Hollywood budget, a massive crew, or elite connections to make a masterpiece. The African AI Film Festival exists to showcase the raw talent, rich culture, and futuristic visions of African creators empowered by generative AI.
Year One · A film may be entered in one category.
Narrative fiction brought to life with generative tools.
Animated work in any style — 2D, 3D, experimental.
Non-fiction and factual storytelling, AI-enhanced.
First-time filmmakers and enrolled students.
Honoring the best of African AI cinema.
The standout narrative work of the festival.
Excellence in animated storytelling and craft.
Visionary direction and creative leadership.
Each entry must meet at least one:
Artificial intelligence must be central to the film's creation — generated or augmented video, animation, imagery, voice, music, or script. Minor AI color correction alone does not qualify.
Entrants must be 18+. Under-18s may enter the Student & Emerging category with guardian consent.
The essentials, modeled on the world's leading AI film festivals.
1–10 minutes in length
Includes the use of generative video within the film
A fully contained, linear narrative
Mandatory for every entry — and unique to this festival.
List the main AI tools and models (Runway, Sora, Midjourney, ElevenLabs, etc.) and briefly describe how AI was used. This is about transparency and never counts against your score.
No AI-generated depictions of real, identifiable people without documented consent. No deepfakes intended to deceive or defame.
No hateful, exploitative, or illegal content — including any AI-generated content sexualizing minors or inciting violence.
By submitting, the entrant warrants the work does not knowingly infringe third-party copyright or rights of publicity.
Violations are grounds for disqualification at any stage, including after an award.
Each film scored 1–10 on five criteria by the jury.
Does it move you? Is the narrative compelling?
Is AI used inventively — not just as a gimmick?
Does it genuinely connect to African stories and voices?
Coherence, editing, sound, visual quality.
Fresh, distinct, memorable.
A separate public-vote prize, run during the screening window — independent of jury scoring.
Access first. No filmmaker priced out.
Aug 15 – Oct 1. No barrier to entry for Year One.
Oct 1 – Oct 20. Still one of the most accessible festival fees anywhere.
Always free — any deadline.
Prestige, opportunity, and community — over cash.
Official Selection laurels and category trophies for all winners and finalists.
Credits from sponsors like Runway and Adobe — to keep creating.
Access to industry mentors and pitch sessions for selected filmmakers.
The overall grand prize — the defining film of the inaugural year.
A separate public-vote prize decided by attendees during the screening window — independent of the jury.
Join the waitlist to be notified the exact second the Call for Entries goes live.