Italy's largest AI cinema festival at IULM Milan is free to enter and hands out a RAI Cinema Channel Prize
AI.motion runs 9–10 October at IULM University Milan, accepting AI-generated shorts, commercials, music videos and digital art projects, with no entry fee and a deadline of 31 August 2026.
What it is and what is at stake
AI.motion is billed as Italy's biggest AI cinema festival, staged across two days, 9 and 10 October 2026, on the campus of IULM University in Milan. It is organised by the IULM AI Lab and the Neural Network Cultural Association, and the festival carries genuine broadcast-industry weight: the headline prize is the RAI Cinema Channel Prize, awarded by one of Italy's foremost public broadcasters. That kind of eyeball access is not something most short-film competitions can offer, and for a creator working in AI-generated video it represents a credible route into European broadcast and festival circuits.
Entry is completely free. There is no submission fee at any tier, which removes the financial barrier that tends to thin out the field on international festival submissions. The festival accepts work from anywhere in the world, so geography is not a disqualifier.
What to submit
Work must be AI-generated, and entrants are required to submit a list of the algorithms and tools used in production. The festival accepts any AI tools, so there is no approved-software shortlist to navigate. Four competitive categories are open:
- Best Short Film
- Best Commercial
- Best Music Video
- Best Digital AI Art Project
Submissions are handled through FilmFreeway at filmfreeway.com/AI_motion. The official contest page sits at aifilmcontests.com/contests/ai-motion-milan-2026.
Prize structure
The festival hands out six named prizes:
1. RAI Cinema Channel Prize — awarded by the Italian public broadcaster RAI Cinema; the specific form of the prize (broadcast slot, cash, or otherwise) is not detailed on the listing page, but RAI Cinema's involvement implies genuine industry recognition.
2. PROMPT Magazine Prize — awarded by the Italian AI-culture publication PROMPT Magazine.
3. Best Short Film
4. Best Commercial
5. Best Music Video
6. Best Digital AI Art Project
Neither the RAI Cinema Channel Prize nor the PROMPT Magazine Prize carries a published cash value on the contest listing. Prospective entrants should check directly with the organisers via the FilmFreeway page for prize specifics before submitting.
Terms worth reading
The listing does not reproduce full festival rules or a licensing agreement. Key points to verify before you submit:
- Rights and licence terms are not disclosed on the aggregator page. Contact the organisers to confirm whether the festival acquires any broadcast, exhibition, or distribution rights as a condition of entry.
- Algorithm disclosure is mandatory. Every submission must be accompanied by a list of AI tools and algorithms used. Omitting this could disqualify an entry.
- Eligibility is open globally, with no nationality or residency restriction noted.
- Entry is free at all levels.
If you retain IP by default but grant a limited screening licence, that is a normal festival condition. If the RAI Cinema Channel Prize involves a broadcast agreement, read that document carefully before accepting.
Deadline and logistics
The submission deadline is 31 August 2026. No specific cutoff time is published alongside the date, so submit at least a full day in advance to avoid any timezone ambiguity. The festival itself takes place 9 and 10 October 2026 in Milan.
Submit via FilmFreeway: filmfreeway.com/AI_motion
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