The Hollywood AI Short Film Awards are offering $2,750 in cash prizes for AI-made films screened in Los Angeles on Super Bowl Weekend 2027
HASFA's second season invites filmmakers worldwide to submit AI-assisted short films up to 22 minutes, with a ceremony at the London West Hollywood Screening Room on 13 February 2027.
The Hollywood AI Short Film Awards returns for its second season with a straightforward proposition: make a short film that uses AI in a meaningful way, submit it through FilmFreeway before 11 January 2027, and you could be in the room at the London West Hollywood Screening Room on Super Bowl Weekend. The ceremony is set for 13 February 2027 in Los Angeles, where winners will be recognised at a Champions of Storytelling Reception and a Winners Showcase.
The competition is open to an unusually broad range of work. Drama, comedy, thriller, horror, science fiction, documentary, animation, branded commercials and music videos all have dedicated award categories, which means a narrative short sits alongside a brand film without being judged against it. That breadth, combined with a worldwide eligibility requirement and student inclusion, makes this a rare festival where a solo AI animator and a full agency team are genuinely entering the same conversation.
What to submit
Films must be completed on or after 1 January 2024 and must run no longer than 22 minutes including credits. Any AI tools are permitted across development, production, post, animation, visual design and audio. Non-English language entries require English subtitles. The entry route is FilmFreeway, and the fee structure is set by the organiser on that platform, so check the FilmFreeway listing directly before budgeting.
Prize structure
The total cash pool is $2,750, distributed as follows:
- Best Picture (Grand Prize): $750
- Genre Awards ($250 each): Drama, Comedy, Thriller, Horror, Sci-Fi, Documentary, Animation
- Emerging Creator Award: $250
- Audience Choice, Best Branded Commercial, Best Music Video: HASFA laurels (no cash amounts listed for these three on the official page)
All winners are included in the Winners Showcase and the Champions of Storytelling Reception in Los Angeles.
Terms worth reading
The page does not reproduce full terms and conditions directly; those will be accessible through the FilmFreeway submission portal. Entry fees are set on FilmFreeway and are not disclosed on this listing, so verify the cost tier before submitting. The page does not specify any licence grant or rights transfer, but entrants should review the FilmFreeway submission agreement for any standard platform terms around screening rights and promotional use. No IP transfer is indicated in the available copy, which is a reasonable starting point, but read the full rules on FilmFreeway before submitting.
Submissions opened on 21 June 2026 and the deadline is 11 January 2027. If no specific cutoff time is published on FilmFreeway, submit at least a day early to avoid last-minute platform issues. Full submission details are on the official FilmFreeway listing, and the aggregator page can be found at AI Film Contests.
Source: https://aifilmcontests.com/contests/hollywood-ai-short-film-awards-2027