Athens is handing out €1,000 per category for short films made entirely with AI, and the late deadline is 19 October 2026
AI Filmfest Athens screens at The Ellinikon Experience Centre on 6 November under the theme 'Myths Meet Machine,' with three cash prizes of €1,000 each.
A festival rooted in ancient myth is making room for machine-made cinema. AI Filmfest Athens 2026, directed by Christina Duxa, will screen at The Ellinikon Experience Centre in Athens on 6 November 2026, and it is organised around a single guiding theme: Myths Meet Machine. The call is open to filmmakers anywhere in the world, provided every frame of their film, visuals and audio alike, was produced using AI tools.
The regular submission window closed on 9 September, but a late deadline runs until 19 October 2026. If you have a film ready, that gives you a firm cutoff to work to. The festival has verified this date as recently as 18 September 2026, so treat 18 October as your personal submission deadline to avoid any last-minute platform issues.
What you submit
Films must be between 3 and 15 minutes in length and fully AI-generated, meaning both the visual and audio components. Any AI toolset is permitted. The festival accepts work across three categories listed on FilmFreeway: Short Film, Experimental, and Advertising. Submission is handled through FilmFreeway, where entry fees are also disclosed. Check the platform directly before submitting, as fees are not published on the contest aggregator page.
Prize structure
Three competitive categories each carry a cash prize of €1,000:
- Best AI Film — €1,000
- Best Direction/Creative Vision — €1,000
- Mythos Award — €1,000
A fourth prize, the Pioneer/Lifetime Award, is honorary recognition rather than a cash category. Total potential cash value across competitive categories is €3,000.
Terms worth reading
The page does not reproduce the full festival terms; those will be available via FilmFreeway at the point of submission. A few points are worth noting before you submit. First, the entry fee is listed as "See FilmFreeway" on the aggregator, which means a fee is likely present but its amount is not confirmed here. Budget accordingly. Second, the fully AI-generated requirement is strict: films using AI only in post-production, or combining AI with live-action footage, are not described as eligible. Third, as with most festival submissions made through FilmFreeway, you should review the platform's standard terms alongside any festival-specific rules attached to this competition. Rights and licence terms for screened work are not summarised on the public contest page, so read the submission agreement carefully before uploading.
The festival itself takes place on 6 November 2026 in Athens. For full rules, fees, and to submit, visit the official FilmFreeway page.