A festival for films
made with machines.
An international showcase for cinema created with generative tools — narrative shorts, vertical drama, animation and hybrid live action. Judged on story first, technique second.
The tools changed overnight. What makes a film worth watching did not.
A generation of filmmakers is now working with tools that did not exist three years ago. Most festivals treat that work as a novelty sidebar. This one is built for it — an open international competition where the craft is taken seriously and the story still has to hold.
Entries are open worldwide. There is no restriction on which tools you used or how much of the film is generated, only on whether you hold the rights to everything on screen.
Key dates
Festival announced, submissions open worldwide.
Early-bird and final deadlines fall in this window.
Filmmakers notified, full programme published.
Auckland — screenings, panels, awards night.
Be first to know when entries open.
Follow the festival, or write to us and we will send the call for entries the day it goes live.
Programme
Six competition categories, judged by an international panel. Every entry is watched in full by at least two programmers before it reaches the jury.
Categories
Narrative Short
Fiction under [X] minutes, generative tools at any stage of the pipeline.
Vertical Drama
9:16 short-form series and single episodes made for mobile-first audiences.
Animation
Fully generated or hybrid animation, any style.
Hybrid Live Action
Camera-shot work where AI carries a meaningful part of the craft.
Music Video & Experimental
Work driven by image, rhythm and form rather than plot.
Student & Emerging
First-time directors and current students, at a reduced entry fee.
What winners receive
Grand Prix
[PRIZE] plus a development meeting with the festival's production partners.
Best Director
[PRIZE] — trophy and inclusion in the touring programme.
Best Vertical Drama
[PRIZE] — platform distribution consideration.
Audience Award
[PRIZE] — voted by in-person and online audiences.
Official Selection
The selected films will be published here in February 2027, with session times and ticket links.
Submit your film
Open to filmmakers worldwide. No restriction on tools — only on rights.
Check the rules
Confirm your film meets the length, completion-date and rights requirements for your category.
Upload a screener
A private Vimeo or YouTube link with password, plus a poster still and a short synopsis.
Pay and confirm
The entry fee is paid on submission. You will hear back within [X] working days.
Fees
Student and emerging-filmmaker discounts apply with proof of study.
Rules & eligibility
Back the first edition
Generative filmmaking went from experiment to industry in under three years, and the audience for it is forming right now. A first-edition partnership puts a brand at the front of that room while it is still small enough to own.
First mover, not one of thirty
Established festivals are adding an AI sidebar. This one is built for the form, so a partner is part of the founding story.
An audience that builds
Directors, studios, platforms and tool makers — people who adopt fast and tell everyone. Reach here compounds past the screening week.
Content you keep
Every partnership includes filmed assets — award moments, filmmaker interviews, behind the scenes — licensed for your own channels.
Partnership tiers
Presenting Partner
Category Partner
Supporting Partner
Festival Friend
Bespoke formats
Named prize or fund
Fund a prize in your own name — cash, production budget, or a development slot for the winning director.
Brand-integrated commission
Commission a short made for the festival with your product inside the story, produced by the festival's production team and premiered in the programme.
Industry programme
Host a masterclass, pitch session or panel under your name during festival week.
Touring programme
Carry the official selection to your own market or event after the festival closes, co-branded.
Let's talk.
Tell us what you are trying to reach and we will build the package around it.
Request the partnership deckJury & team
The jury scores on story, direction, craft and originality — with no separate weighting for which tools were used.
Jury
[JURY MEMBER]
Announced [DATE].
[JURY MEMBER]
Announced [DATE].
[JURY MEMBER]
Announced [DATE].
[JURY MEMBER]
Announced [DATE].
Festival team
Samantha Zhang
Founder and Executive Producer, Aristo Talent & Productions.
[NAME]
[Short bio]
[NAME]
[Short bio]
Aristo Talent & Productions
A New Zealand company working across AI drama production, casting, creative direction and branded content, with projects in Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe and Africa. The festival is produced by Aristo and supported by its production and post partners.