Australia's biggest GenAI film festival is back, and free entry closes 16 October 2026
TBWA's DAIFF returns for a second edition with a Melbourne Gala screening on 18 November 2026. Free to enter, theme is 'Humans and Their Tools', backed by Google and Leonardo.AI.
TBWA Australia's Disrupt AI Film Festival, known as DAIFF, is running its second edition and accepting submissions until 16 October 2026. The festival positions itself as Australia's largest generative AI film competition, and this year's theme, 'Humans and Their Tools', asks filmmakers to treat AI as a co-creator rather than a replacement for human storytelling. Submissions opened on 15 June 2026, giving creators a four-month window to develop and polish their work.
The event is backed by a notable roster of sponsors including Google, Leonardo.AI, BMW, and three Australian institutions: RMIT University, Swinburne University, and the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS). Selected films will screen at a Melbourne Gala on 18 November 2026, with a Sydney encore to follow, giving finalists national exposure across two cities.
What to submit
DAIFF accepts short films and GenAI storytelling works made using any generative AI tooling. The page explicitly names Leonardo.AI, Google Veo, and Runway as approved tools, but the eligibility language is broad: any generative AI is permitted. Films must be Australian-made and must not have been screened or distributed in Victoria before 29 October 2026. There are two categories: Short Film and GenAI Storytelling.
Prize structure
The prize here is exposure and platform, not cash. Winners and finalists receive:
- A national screening slot at the Melbourne Gala on 18 November 2026
- A Sydney encore screening
- Inclusion in what the organisers describe as Australia's first Gen-AI creators dataset
- Association with TBWA, Google, Leonardo.AI, and BMW through the festival's promotional activity
There is no cash prize listed on the official page. If financial reward is your primary goal, weigh that carefully before submitting.
Terms worth reading
The official page does not publish a full terms document inline, so several points warrant attention before you submit. The festival notes that films must not have been screened or distributed in Victoria before 29 October 2026, which is a regional exclusivity window that runs past the submission deadline. Inclusion in the Gen-AI creators dataset suggests your work and likely associated metadata may be used for research or promotional purposes, though the scope of that licence is not detailed on the listing page. Read the terms at daiff.com.au carefully before submitting, particularly around IP retention and dataset participation.
Entry is free, which is a straightforward positive for creators managing a budget.
How to enter
Submissions go through the official DAIFF site. Apply at www.daiff.com.au. The deadline is 16 October 2026; no cutoff time is published, so submit with at least a day in hand to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Source: AI Film Contests — DAIFF listing