Hong Kong Baptist University is offering $66,000 in prizes for AI-made short films from filmmakers aged 30 and under
The HKBU Future Film Fest 2026 AI Shorts Category invites student filmmakers worldwide to submit generative AI-driven shorts, with a $66,000 total prize pool and free entry.
Hong Kong Baptist University's School of Creative Arts is running the AI Shorts Category of its Future Film Fest 2026, and the headline numbers are worth sitting with: a $66,000 total prize pool, free entry, and a competition open to any student aged 30 or under at a recognised post-secondary institution anywhere in the world. The festival has a clear curatorial position, too. Generative AI must function as the core mechanism of the film, not a background convenience. This is a competition designed for makers who are building with the tools rather than decorating around them.
Winning and recommended films will be screened at the festival in Hong Kong, giving selected work a physical showcase alongside the cash recognition. The organisers have kept the eligibility net deliberately wide on geography, which means a film student in Lagos, Berlin, or São Paulo competes on the same terms as one in Hong Kong. The only hard gates are age (30 or under) and current enrolment at a recognised post-secondary institution.
What you submit
The competition calls for AI-driven short films in which generative AI is the primary creative engine. Any generative AI tool is permitted. The page does not specify a maximum runtime, so contestants should check the official entry page for technical delivery requirements including format, resolution, and file size limits. Films may be narrative shorts or other forms within the AI shorts category.
Prize structure
The total prize pool is $66,000. Two named awards are listed:
- Best AI Short: $5,000
- Jury Recommendation: $3,000
The remaining pool is not broken down on the aggregator page. Before submitting, visit the official entry page to confirm the full prize breakdown, including any category or runner-up awards that account for the balance. The currency is not specified on the page text available; assume Hong Kong dollars unless the official site confirms otherwise, as HK$66,000 is approximately US$8,400 at current rates.
Terms worth reading
The page does not reproduce the full terms and conditions. Before entering, check the official site for:
- Rights and licensing: Festivals frequently request a screening licence and the right to use stills or clips for promotional purposes. Confirm whether you retain underlying IP in your film and AI-generated assets.
- AI tool disclosure: Given that generative AI use must be central rather than incidental, the organisers may require a production statement or tool disclosure as part of submission.
- Institutional verification: Enrolment at a recognised post-secondary institution will likely need to be confirmed, so have documentation ready.
Entry is free, which is worth noting plainly. There is no submission fee at any stage listed on the page.
Key details
- Deadline: 31 October 2026. No cutoff time is published, so submit at least one full day before midnight on that date to avoid timezone complications.
- Eligibility: Aged 30 or under, currently enrolled at any recognised post-secondary institution worldwide.
- Entry route: Apply via the official entry page.
- Host: School of Creative Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University.
The AI Film Contests listing is updated daily and is the most practical place to track any changes to the rules or deadline.
Source: AI Film Contests, HKBU Future Film Fest 2026 listing