Chroma Awards Season 2 is offering over $175,000 in cash and $1 million in tool credits to AI film, music, and games creators worldwide
ElevenLabs, Google Cloud, Fal, Freepik, Dreamina, and CapCut are backing a global open-entry competition across short film, music, and games, with entries accepted until 31 December 2026.
The Chroma Awards are back for a second season, and the numbers are hard to ignore. Sponsored by a roster that includes ElevenLabs, Google Cloud, Fal, Freepik, Dreamina, and CapCut, the competition is distributing more than $175,000 in direct cash prizes alongside what the organisers describe as over $1 million in tool credits from the partner platforms. Entry is free and open to creators anywhere in the world, which means the barrier to participation is essentially the quality of the work itself.
Season 2 spans three disciplines: short film, music, and games, all produced using AI-driven tools and workflows. The organisers describe it as a global competition that also includes a selective programme spotlighting top AI film directors, though the specific criteria for that programme are not detailed on the contest listing page. Any AI tools are permitted, so creators are not locked into the sponsor ecosystem if they prefer to work with something else.
What you submit
The primary listed category is short film, with music and games also included in the broader competition. The page does not specify runtime limits, resolution requirements, or format rules at the listing level. Full submission guidelines are available through the official entry portal at melies.co/ai-film-festivals, and it is worth reviewing those carefully before you start production to ensure your project fits the technical and creative criteria.
Prize structure
The total cash prize pool sits at over $175,000, distributed across categories and placement tiers. In addition, the partner sponsors are contributing more than $1 million in tool credits, meaning runners-up and category winners may receive platform credits rather than cash. If your goal is liquidity, pay attention to how prizes break down by tier when you read the full rules, since credits and cash carry different practical value.
Terms worth reading
The contest listing does not reproduce the full terms and conditions, so the following points are worth verifying directly on the official rules page before you submit. First, confirm whether the organisers require any licence to exhibit or promote your submitted work, as film festivals and branded competitions commonly include a non-exclusive screening or promotional licence in their entry agreements. Second, check whether the selective AI film directors programme involves any additional commitments or separate submission steps. Third, confirm the exact cutoff time on 31 December 2026, as the listing does not specify a timezone or hour. To be safe, plan to submit at least one full day before the deadline.
On the positive side, entry is free with no submission fee, and any AI tools are permitted, so there is no requirement to use sponsor platforms specifically.
The official contest page and entry portal are at aifilmcontests.com/contests/chroma-awards-season-2-2026 and melies.co/ai-film-festivals. Review the full guidelines on the entry portal before committing your final cut.