Atlanta's inaugural AI Ad Fest is offering $2,500 cash and a live screening to creators of AI-driven advertising work
AIAF 2026 opens for free submissions on 15 September, with $2,500 in cash prizes and a finalist screening before Atlanta agency talent on 21 November.
Atlanta has long had a substantial advertising industry, and this November it is hosting a festival built specifically around the question of what AI is doing to commercial creative work. The Atlanta AI Ad Fest, known as AIAF, is a brand-new event launching on 21 November 2026 with an awards night, a live audience vote for Best of Festival, and $2,500 in cash prizes distributed across winners. Entry is free, which removes the usual calculation about whether a submission fee is worth the gamble.
The timing is deliberate. AIAF's organisers describe the festival as a ground-floor moment, positioning it as the first dedicated gathering for creators working at the intersection of AI tooling and paid commercial work. Finalists are screened in front of Atlanta agency professionals, which means the non-cash value, a room full of people who commission advertising, is worth considering alongside the prize money. For anyone making AI-driven brand or ad content professionally, that exposure has a tangible career dimension.
What you submit
The festival accepts work across three categories: advertisement, commercial, and brand film. A Commissioned Works Program spotlight is also listed, suggesting a separate track for work made under client brief. Any AI tool is permitted, and eligibility is open globally to individual creators, brands, agencies, and students. The page does not specify minimum or maximum runtime, so creators should check the official AIAF site for technical requirements before submitting.
Prize structure
The total cash prize pool is $2,500. The listing does not break down how that sum is divided across categories or placement tiers, so it is not yet clear whether one winner takes the full amount or whether it is split between first, second, and third across multiple categories. All finalists receive a screening at the AIAF Awards Night on 21 November 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. The live audience vote for Best of Festival adds a populist element alongside any jury decision.
Terms worth reading
The aifilmcontests.com listing does not reproduce the full terms and conditions. Before submitting, visit atlantaaiadfest.com directly and read whatever licence or rights language accompanies entry. Specifically, look for whether AIAF retains any right to screen or reproduce your work beyond the awards night, and whether submission constitutes consent to use your work in festival promotion. Entry is free, which is a genuine plus, and global eligibility means there is no residency barrier. No rights language is visible in the listing, so no alarm is raised here, but the absence of detail means you should confirm before uploading anything.
Key dates and how to enter
Submissions open on 15 September 2026. The deadline is 25 October 2026; the listing gives no cutoff time, so submit at least a day before to avoid timezone complications. The awards night takes place on 21 November 2026 in Atlanta. Apply via atlantaaiadfest.com. Entry is free.